Landed In

Arrival guide

Landed in Ho Chi Minh City.

Getting from Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN) into the city, what money to carry, the apps locals use, and how to get online.

Tan Son Nhat is close to the center. Most rides to District 1 take 20 to 45 minutes depending on traffic.
Avoid unmarked taxis and touts in arrivals. Use the official taxi queue or book a ride in an app.

From the airport to the city center

Easiest

Grab car from the airport pickup area

₫120,000 to ₫220,000 ($5 to $9)

20 to 45 min

  1. 1Collect your bags and clear customs, then connect to airport Wi-Fi or your eSIM.
  2. 2Open Grab and set the drop-off to your hotel in the city center (District 1).
  3. 3Follow the signs and Grab pickup markers outside the terminal. Check the pickup point in the app.
  4. 4Match the plate number and driver name before getting in.
  5. 5Pay by card in the app or cash. Keep small notes for tolls or parking fees if asked.
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Fastest

Vinasun or Mai Linh metered taxi

₫150,000 to ₫250,000 ($6 to $10)

20 to 45 min

  1. 1After exiting arrivals, follow signs to the official taxi stand.
  2. 2Choose a Vinasun or Mai Linh cab. Ignore anyone offering rides inside the terminal.
  3. 3Tell the driver your hotel name in District 1 and show the address on your phone.
  4. 4Make sure the meter is running.
  5. 5Pay at the end. Count your change carefully.
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Cheapest

Public bus 109 or 152 to the center

₫5,000 to ₫20,000 (under $1)

40 to 70 min

  1. 1Exit the international terminal and look for the public bus stop signs near the terminal.
  2. 2Board a bus toward the center. Route 109 and 152 are the usual ones to Ben Thanh area. Confirm with the driver.
  3. 3Pay the conductor in cash with small notes.
  4. 4Get off near Ben Thanh Market, then walk or take a Grab to your hotel in District 1.
  5. 5Keep your bag in front of you, as buses can be crowded.

Daytime to evening. Check current schedules.

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Want a driver waiting for you?

Book a fixed-price transfer before you fly and skip the taxi queue.

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Money

Vietnamese dong

VND

$1 is about ₫25,000

Cards

Cards work in hotels, malls, and many restaurants. Street food, markets, and small cafes are mostly cash.

Tipping

Not expected. Rounding up a taxi fare or leaving a small tip at nicer restaurants is appreciated.

Cash

  • Carry small notes. Many vendors struggle to break ₫500,000 notes.
  • The ₫20,000 and ₫500,000 notes look alike (blue-ish), so check each note before paying.
  • Count your change slowly, especially with big notes.

ATMs

  • Use ATMs inside banks or at the airport, such as Vietcombank, VPBank, or Techcombank.
  • ATM withdrawal limits are often ₫2 to ₫5 million per transaction, and fees apply.
  • Decline dynamic currency conversion and choose to be charged in dong.

Apps to download

Grab

Must have

Rides, motorbike taxis, and food delivery

App StoreGoogle Play

Google Maps

Must have

Navigation and finding restaurants

App StoreGoogle Play

Be

Local ride-hailing alternative to Grab

App StoreGoogle Play

Zalo

Local messaging app used by many businesses

App StoreGoogle Play

Google Translate

Menus and signs, with offline Vietnamese

App StoreGoogle Play

Stay connected

Mobile data is cheap and coverage in the city is good. An eSIM is the simplest way to be online as you land.

  • Install an eSIM before you fly, such as Airalo, so you have data on arrival.
  • Buy a tourist SIM at the airport counters in arrivals from Viettel, Vinaphone, or Mobifone. Bring your passport.
  • Airport Wi-Fi is available but can be slow, so do not rely on it for booking a ride.

Get your eSIM before you fly

Install it at home and you'll have data the moment you land, with no airport SIM queue.

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Good to know

  • Crossing the street: walk slowly and steadily. Motorbikes will go around you, so do not stop or run.
  • Bag snatching from motorbikes happens. Carry your phone and bag on the side away from traffic.
  • Check taxi meters and use Grab or reputable brands to avoid overcharging.
  • Remove your shoes when entering homes and some temples. Dress modestly at pagodas.
  • Agree on prices before riding a motorbike taxi or buying from street sellers.
  • Do not drink tap water. Buy bottled water.
  • Use a cross-body bag and keep your phone out of sight near the road.

Emergency numbers

Prices and tips are AI-written estimates, so double-check anything important.