Vietravel Airlines Completes Move of All Domestic Flights to Tan Son Nhat T3

(TAN SON NHAT INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT) Vietravel Airlines has completed the full transition of all domestic flights to Terminal T3 at Tan Son Nhat International Airport, effective August 21, 2025, a move designed to ease crowding and speed up processing at Vietnam’s busiest gateway. The airline’s complete shift to the new domestic terminal follows months of staged moves by carriers across the country and caps a large push to modernize airport operations in Ho Chi Minh City. Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV) said Terminal T3 was built to handle heavy volumes with faster, smarter systems, and early feedback from passengers points to shorter lines and more comfortable space.

Under the new setup, Vietravel Airlines passengers start their journey at check-in counters 25–31, head to departure gates 1–5 on the first floor as shown on airport screens, and, if flying Premium, can enter SH Lounge or The SENS Lounge. The airline has opened a last-minute ticket counter near Entrance D1 for urgent purchases. It has pushed out the change through its website, fanpage, email, SMS, and a wide network of authorized agents, aiming to prevent misdirected travelers at older terminals. The carrier’s hotline (1900 6686) and staff at the terminal remain on call to guide customers during the first weeks of the change.

Operational shift and what changes for passengers

Terminal T3 went live with a clear goal: reduce the heavy load that long strained Terminal T1. Vietravel Airlines’ move concentrates domestic processing inside a larger, brighter facility built for faster check-in, stronger security capacity, and smoother boarding.

The airline stresses three practical points for travelers:

• Go directly to Terminal T3 for all Vietravel Airlines domestic flights.
• Use counters 25–31 for check-in and bag drop; watch airport screens for gates 1–5.
• For last-minute tickets, proceed to the dedicated counter at Entrance D1.

Premium travelers can access partner lounges, and all passengers can use the free internal shuttle linking T1, T2, and T3 from 04:30 AM to 00:30 AM. This shuttle is important for connections from international flights in T2 to domestic departures at T3, especially for late arrivals or families with children.

Airport staff report that average volumes since go-live are moderate, helping keep lines moving while people learn the new layout. According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, the timing helps Vietnam’s air network prepare for peak domestic travel later in the year, when holiday demand usually spikes.

Vietravel Airlines joins Vietnam Airlines, Pacific Airlines, Vasco, and Bamboo Airways, which also shifted domestic operations to Terminal T3 in August 2025. Vietjet Air remains at Terminal T1 for now; officials plan to reorganize T1 to keep movement orderly and prepare for renovations. The airport operator says Vietjet’s check-in will be concentrated in Concourse A, while Concourse B is set to become a transit hall linking T1, T2, and T3 for more direct domestic–international connections.

Terminal T3 capacity and technology

Terminal T3 opened on April 19, 2025, two months earlier than planned, during events marking Vietnam’s 50th Liberation anniversary. ACV designed the building for 20 million passengers per year, with the ability to process 7,000 passengers per peak hour.

Key facility features:

• 90 check-in counters, 42 self-service kiosks, and 20 automated baggage drops.
• 27 boarding gates (13 with jet bridges and 14 bus gates).
• 25 security checkpoints and 10 baggage carousels.

The terminal is built under a Smart Airport model. Biometric cameras and AI-driven tools are integrated with the national population database to speed identity checks and reduce manual steps. In simple terms, these systems confirm identity faster and more accurately, helping cut queues and prevent errors. ACV says it will continue adding features so check-in and security keep pace as traffic grows.

For ground access, a new four-kilometer road—Tran Quoc Hoan – Cong Hoa—helps pull vehicles away from older, crowded streets near the airport. The city invested VND 4,800 billion in that link to save time for private cars and public transport. T3’s curbside lanes, internal signage, and separate ride-hailing pick-up areas also aim to reduce last-minute confusion, a common cause of airport traffic jams.

Impacts on specific traveler groups:

• Families, seniors, and international visitors benefit from fewer choke points at security and baggage claim.
• Shuttle and clear gate numbering reduce the chance of missed flights for tight connections.
• Travel agents report easier group transfers onto domestic legs without rushing through packed halls.

Broader impact and next steps

Airport leaders and the government framed T3 as part of a larger plan to make aviation safer, faster, and more supportive of the economy. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh officiated the inauguration, underscoring the project’s national role. ACV credits the early opening to strong coordination and says its focus now is on steady daily performance and quick fixes to teething issues.

From a policy perspective, T3 supports three often competing goals: comfort, speed, and safety.

• More counters and lanes reduce waiting times.
• Smart systems help staff work faster and detect issues earlier.
• Wider space lowers the risk of crowding during peak travel.

For airlines, shorter ground times can improve on-time performance—important in a network where weather and airspace constraints ripple through schedules.

Economic and tourism effects:

• Larger capacity and smoother movement encourage travelers to add domestic hops (e.g., Phu Quoc, Hue) onto international trips.
• This raises hotel occupancy and tour bookings beyond Ho Chi Minh City over time.
• ACV expects cumulative gains as repeat visitors plan more complex trips with higher confidence in transfers.

Early passenger reports describe smoother, faster check-in and less crowding than expected, with staff guiding people who arrive at the wrong terminal by habit. Gate areas show better seat availability and baggage belts are clearing with fewer daytime delays.

Important reminders from officials:

Arrive early during holidays and double-check your flight’s terminal and gate on airline apps and airport displays.

The airport operator plans continued investment in biometric tools and AI features, while Terminal T1’s rework is the next major piece—especially turning Concourse B into a transit hall to improve links between T1, T2, and T3. Combined with the shuttle, this should help international arrivals connect to domestic flights with less backtracking. In the longer term, Terminal T3 will complement future projects such as Long Thanh International Airport to create a network able to absorb growth without long queues and blocked roads.

What Vietravel Airlines passengers should do now

1. Arrive at Terminal T3 for all domestic flights.
2. Proceed to check-in counters 25–31.
3. Check gates 1–5 on airport screens.
4. Premium passengers may use SH Lounge or The SENS Lounge.
5. For urgent tickets, go to the counter at Entrance D1.
6. Use the free shuttle for terminal transfers (04:30 AM–00:30 AM).
7. For help, call 1900 6686 or speak with on-site representatives.

Vietravel Airlines directs passengers to its official site, www.vietravelairlines.com, for confirmed updates. For airport-wide guidance, travelers can consult ACV’s official portal at https://www.vietnamairport.vn, which posts service notices, terminal maps, and contact details.

Timeline and final notes

• Terminal T3 inaugurated: April 19, 2025
• Vietnam Airlines domestic shift completed: May 17, 2025
• Mid-August moves: Bamboo Airways, Pacific Airlines, Vasco (August 18–21, 2025)
• Vietravel Airlines fully live at T3: August 21, 2025

That phased cadence allowed carriers to move without crowding counters on the same day. For many travelers, the holiday season will be the real test; if T3 keeps lines short and departures timely during peak periods, the change will be seen as a clear win. ACV officials expect steady improvements as staff and passengers get used to the layout and tools. Travel agents and corporate travel managers advise updating saved ride-hailing addresses to Terminal T3 for domestic flights and watching airline messages for future changes.

In the end, the move aims to let people get where they need to go with less hassle—parents with strollers, students traveling home, and small business owners squeezing trips between meetings all stand to benefit. Terminal T3 was built for that purpose, and Vietravel Airlines’ move completes another piece of the plan. As more carriers settle in and Terminal T1’s renovation advances, the airport’s daily rhythm should continue to improve, one queue and one flight at a time.