Tan Son Nhat handles both international and domestic flights for Ho Chi Minh City. The airport is close to the centre but traffic can stretch the ride, and ride-hailing apps need mobile data, so a data line from the moment you land saves time. Figures below are as of September 2026.
Quick facts
| Ho Chi Minh City | |
|---|---|
| Airport | Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN) |
| Distance to centre | About 6 to 8 km to District 1, about 15 to 30 minutes by car |
| Ride-hailing apps | Grab, Be, Xanh SM |
| Networks | Viettel, VinaPhone and MobiFone, 4G, and 5G in parts of the city |
Staying connected: SIM or eSIM
Tan Son Nhat has kiosks selling SIM cards, and carriers have retail stores in the city. Bring your passport, because the SIM must be registered to you. Vietnam Tourism notes that travellers with a Vietnamese SIM can use ride-hailing apps like Grab, so sort out data before you reach the taxi queue.
An eSIM means no kiosk. VietSim sells prepaid eSIMs on Viettel, VinaPhone and MobiFone, with the QR code on screen after payment. Install it before you fly with the eSIM setup guide and turn it on when you land, as shown in activating on arrival. The full range is in the Vietnam eSIM store. If you are still deciding, compare with a physical SIM card.
All three networks cover the city with 4G and run 5G in the larger cities. As of July 2025, the ministry in charge of telecoms reported 4G for 99.8 percent of Vietnam’s population and 5G for about 26 percent. See Viettel vs VinaPhone vs MobiFone.
Day trips
Vietnam Tourism mentions river boats for day trips to the Cu Chi Tunnels or the Mekong Delta. Signal inside the tunnels or out on the water is not something to plan around. Save your tour booking and pickup point as screenshots and download an offline map of the route first.
Arriving at Tan Son Nhat airport
Vietnam Airlines puts the airport about 6 km from the city centre, and Vietnam Tourism about 8 km. Allow more time at rush hour; Vietnam Tourism warns the trip can take 50 minutes or more depending on traffic.
- Bus 109: leaves from the international terminal and ends near Ben Thanh Market in District 1, about 40 minutes plus waiting time. Vietnam Airlines says it runs every 15 to 20 minutes.
- Bus 152: also serves the airport, from the domestic terminal towards Le Lai Street.
- Taxi: available around the clock at the official ranks. An airport toll is added to the fare.
- Ride-hailing: Vietnam Airlines names Grab, Be and Xanh SM, at about 130,000 to 170,000 VND to the centre, with higher prices at peak times.
For arrival tips across Vietnam, see the Vietnam guide.
Getting around Ho Chi Minh City
Ride-hailing. Grab, Be and Xanh SM all operate in the city. Xanh SM runs electric cars and motorbikes; the city was among its first after the service launched in Hanoi in 2023.
Metro. Metro Line 1 opened on 22 December 2024. According to JICA, which funded it, the line is 19.7 km long with 14 stations, from Ben Thanh in the centre to Suoi Tien in the north east, with three underground stations.
Buses and taxis. Vietnam Tourism says local buses cover a good portion of the city and taxis are everywhere.
The apps to install page lists ride, map and messaging apps to set up in advance.
Practical phone tips
- Offline maps: Download the city in Google Maps over Wi-Fi. Offline mode gives driving directions only, with no walking or transit directions, and downloaded areas expire.
- Hotspot: Sharing your data with a laptop needs a carrier and plan that allow Personal Hotspot. Check before relying on it, and see the FAQ.
- Card payments: Hotels, tour operators, boutiques, restaurants and grocery stores generally accept international cards. Street vendors and small purchases are cash. ATMs are common in the city.
- Group travel: one connection for several people? Compare pocket Wi-Fi or eSIM.
If the eSIM has signal but no data, see not connecting or the help centre.
Other cities
Heading on? See Phu Quoc, Nha Trang or Hanoi. The same eSIM works across the country.