Vietnam's Airports: What Australians Need to Know
Vietnam has three major international airports serving Australian travellers: Nội Bài International Airport (HAN) in Hanoi, Tân Sơn Nhất International Airport (SGN) in Ho Chi Minh City, and Đà Nẵng International Airport (DAD) in Da Nang. All three handle direct or single-stop flights from Australian cities, and all three have improved significantly in terms of English signage and service in recent years. However, once you step outside the international terminal — into the taxi queue, the bus stop, the domestic terminal, or the city streets — Vietnamese becomes the dominant language and English support drops sharply.
Knowing airport-specific Vietnamese vocabulary serves two purposes. It helps you navigate the practical logistics of arrival, transit and departure more smoothly. And it signals to airport staff and transport workers that you are not a typical tourist — that you have made an effort to engage with the language and culture. That signal consistently produces better service, more honest treatment and a warmer welcome.
Vietnamese airports also have specific local customs and infrastructure that differ from Australian airports. Taxis at Vietnamese airports have a well-documented history of overcharging tourists, and the transport options (official metered taxis, Grab, airport buses, private cars) have different pricing and reliability profiles. Understanding the language around transport makes it much easier to make informed choices.
Arriving: Immigration and Customs
At immigration and customs, most staff will speak sufficient English for the essential exchanges. However, knowing the Vietnamese terms for common documents and processes is useful — particularly if you are directed to a secondary area or if signage is unclear.
Hộ chiếu — Passport
Pronounced "hoh jyew." You will need to present your hộ chiếu at immigration.
Thị thực / Visa — Visa
"Thị thực" is the formal term; "visa" (borrowed from English) is widely understood.
Tờ khai — Declaration form
Pronounced "tuh khai." The customs declaration form handed out on aircraft.
Nhập cảnh — Immigration / Entry
Pronounced "nyap kahnh." Signs reading "Nhập cảnh" point to the immigration hall.
Hải quan — Customs
Pronounced "hai gwan." The customs inspection area after baggage collection.
Hàng lý — Baggage / Luggage
Pronounced "hang lee." "Băng chuyền hàng lý" = baggage carousel.
Tôi có [item] cần khai báo — I have [item] to declare
Use at customs if you have items that need declaring. "Khai báo" = to declare.
Tôi không có gì để khai báo — I have nothing to declare
The standard response at customs when waved through to the "nothing to declare" channel.
✈️ Visa on Arrival
Australian passport holders can apply for a Vietnam e-visa (90-day single entry) online before departure, or obtain a visa on arrival. The e-visa process is straightforward and avoids potential queues at the dedicated visa-on-arrival counters at the airport. If you do use the visa-on-arrival counter, have your pre-approval letter and passport photos ready and look for signs reading "Cấp thị thực tại cửa khẩu" (Visa on Arrival).
Getting Transport from the Airport
This is where airport Vietnamese becomes most practically valuable. The taxi situation at Vietnamese airports — particularly at Tân Sơn Nhất in Ho Chi Minh City — requires vigilance. Unofficial taxi touts operate inside and outside the arrivals hall and routinely charge tourists several times the fair price. Knowing the phrases and understanding the official options protects your wallet significantly.
Taxi — Taxi
Reputable metered taxi companies at HCMC airport include Vinasun and Mai Linh. Look for their branded vehicles. Avoid touts who approach you inside the terminal.
Đặt Grab — Book a Grab
Grab is the most reliable and price-transparent option. Book via the app before you exit the terminal. Look for the designated Grab pickup zone.
Xe buýt sân bay — Airport bus
Most major Vietnamese airports have airport bus services to the city centre at a fraction of taxi prices. Slow but safe and very cheap.
Bến xe buýt ở đâu? — Where is the bus stop?
Ask any airport staff or look for the "Bến xe buýt" sign outside the arrivals hall.
Có đồng hồ không? — Is there a meter?
Always ask before entering a taxi without an obvious meter. "Đồng hồ" = clock/meter.
Đi đến [destination] bao nhiêu tiền? — How much to [destination]?
Establish the price before departure if the taxi has no meter. Non-negotiable practice.
Tôi không muốn thêm phụ phí — I don't want extra charges
If a driver attempts to add toll or surcharge claims, this phrase makes clear you are informed.
Check-in and Departures
For domestic flights within Vietnam (a common component of longer trips), check-in and departure procedures are largely in Vietnamese. Major airlines serving domestic routes include Vietnam Airlines, Vietjet and Bamboo Airways. Departure halls are clearly signed but staff English levels vary significantly at smaller regional airports.
Làm thủ tục ở đâu? — Where is check-in?
"Làm thủ tục" = to check in (literally "to complete procedures").
Tôi muốn làm thủ tục cho chuyến bay đến [city] — I want to check in for the flight to [city]
A complete check-in request. Fill in the destination city: Hà Nội, Đà Nẵng, Hội An, etc.
Ghế cạnh cửa sổ — Window seat
"Ghế" = seat, "cửa sổ" = window. For aisle: "ghế cạnh lối đi."
Cổng lên máy bay số... ở đâu? — Where is gate number...?
"Cổng" = gate. "Cổng số bảy" = Gate 7. Essential at larger airports with many gates.
Chuyến bay của tôi bị trễ — My flight is delayed
"Bị trễ" = is delayed. Use when reporting to staff or rebooking assistance desk.
Phòng chờ VIP ở đâu? — Where is the VIP lounge?
"Phòng chờ" = waiting room/lounge. Useful for Priority Pass or business class travellers.
At the Airport: Services and Facilities
Nhà vệ sinh ở đâu? — Where is the toilet?
The most universally useful question in any country. "Nhà vệ sinh" = toilet/bathroom.
Có WiFi không? — Is there WiFi?
Vietnamese airports generally have free WiFi. "Mật khẩu là gì?" = What is the password?
Đổi tiền ở đâu? — Where is the currency exchange?
"Đổi tiền" = exchange money. Airport rates are typically worse than city rates — only exchange what you need immediately.
ATM ở đâu? — Where is an ATM?
All major Vietnamese airports have ATMs in the arrivals hall. Use ATMs attached to major banks for better rates.
Mua SIM điện thoại ở đâu? — Where can I buy a SIM card?
SIM cards for major carriers (Viettel, Mobifone, Vietnamobile) are available in arrivals halls. Cheap and excellent coverage throughout Vietnam.
Cửa hàng miễn thuế ở đâu? — Where is duty free?
"Miễn thuế" = tax exempt/duty free. Found in international departure areas.
Lost Luggage and Problems
Nobody wants to need these phrases. But having them ready means that if something does go wrong, you can communicate clearly and get help faster.
Hành lý của tôi bị mất — My luggage is lost
"Bị mất" = is lost/missing. Report to the airline's baggage desk in the arrivals hall.
Vali của tôi bị hỏng — My suitcase is damaged
"Bị hỏng" = is damaged/broken. Report before leaving the baggage claim area.
Tôi cần nói chuyện với người quản lý — I need to speak with a manager
"Người quản lý" = manager. Use calmly when frontline staff cannot resolve an issue.
Tôi có bảo hiểm du lịch — I have travel insurance
Useful context when filing a claim or requesting documentation for an insurance report.
💡 Practical Tip
Photograph your luggage tags and save your baggage claim tickets from every flight. In the event of lost or delayed luggage, these documents make the reporting process significantly faster — and having the Vietnamese phrase ready means you can go straight to the right desk without confusion.
Domestic Connections: Getting Between Vietnamese Cities
Many Australian visitors fly into one city and out of another — a common itinerary might be Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City or vice versa, with stops in between. Domestic connections involve smaller, busier terminals where English support is less reliable. The following vocabulary covers the key situations:
Bay nội địa — Domestic flight
"Nội địa" = domestic/internal. Look for this on signs pointing to the domestic terminal.
Chuyến bay quá cảnh — Transit flight / Connecting flight
"Quá cảnh" = transit. Use this when asking about where to go for a connecting flight.
Xe đưa đón ở đâu? — Where is the shuttle bus?
Some Vietnamese airports require a shuttle between international and domestic terminals. Look for "Xe đưa đón nội địa."
Vietnamese airports are improving rapidly and continue to expand in line with the country's growing aviation market. Even with limited Vietnamese, navigating them is manageable. With the phrases in this guide, it becomes straightforward — and occasionally, when a harried airline staff member breaks into a smile because you asked a question in Vietnamese, genuinely memorable.