Contact us
Follow us:
Tan Son Nhat sits inside the city, so central Saigon is only about 7-8 km away. What makes a layover here hard to predict is not distance but the density of motorbikes and cars on the roads around the airport. This guide uses measured route distances to each stop and points out the hours to avoid.
Times are approximate, from free-flowing to busy traffic, and only a guide; traffic, weather and time of day can change them.
| Destination | km | Approx. Drive time |
|---|---|---|
| Notre-Dame Cathedral and Central Post Office | 7 | 10-20 min |
| Saigon-style iced milk coffee | 8 | 10-20 min |
| Ben Thanh Market | 8 | 10-20 min |
| Nguyen Hue Walking Street | 8 | 10-20 min |
| Vincom Center Dong Khoi and Saigon Centre | 7 | 10-20 min |
| Independence Palace | 7-8 | 10-20 min |
| Diamond Plaza and Giong coffee | 7 | 10-20 min |
| Cho Lon and Thien Hau Pagoda | 9 | 10-25 min |
| War Remnants Museum | 6 | 10-15 min |
| Nha Rong Wharf | 9-10 | 15-30 min |
| Cu Chi Tunnels | 39-42 | 40-90 min |
From our drivers' on-the-road experience picking up and dropping off guests here, these are the points to keep in mind. Distances and times in this guide are approximate, and real conditions can differ.
Two French-era buildings side by side in the old District 1. The red-brick cathedral has twin bell towers; the post office has an arched hall, old maps and a working postcard counter. Book Street (Nguyen Van Binh) is next door. (7 km)
Stop at a central cafe for phin drip coffee, iced milk coffee or bac xiu; Saigon Centre has a Phuc Long Coffee & Tea outlet on level 4, and the old Nguyen Hue apartment block holds many small cafes. (8 km)
The market with the familiar clock tower sells souvenirs, coffee and dried fruit, and has a food section with many Vietnamese dishes. It is a handy place for quick gifts before heading back. (8 km)
A wide boulevard running from the French-era City Hall to the Saigon River, with the Ho Chi Minh statue and the old apartment block at 42 Nguyen Hue full of cafes. (8 km)
Two shopping centres in central Saigon with fashion, cosmetics, supermarkets and food courts. Handy for quick shopping and a cool break. (7 km)
A 1960s modernist building linked to the events of 30 April 1975. Inside are meeting rooms, reception halls, a command bunker and exhibits; the leafy grounds suit a short visit. (7-8 km)
A shopping centre beside the Cathedral; its fifth floor has a Giong cafe serving roasted Vietnamese coffee. (7 km)
Saigon's long-standing Chinese quarter. Thien Hau Pagoda is known for coil incense hanging from the ceiling and carved ceramic and wood details. Many Chinese-style eateries are nearby. (9 km)
The museum displays photos and artefacts from the Vietnam War, with aircraft and tanks in the courtyard. The content is emotionally heavy and suits travellers interested in history. (6 km)
A riverside building, now a museum about President Ho Chi Minh, linked to his departure from Vietnam in 1911. (9-10 km)
A wartime tunnel network in the north-west outskirts. Visitors see tunnels, traps and smokeless kitchens and can crawl a short section. It needs a long time window as it is far from the centre. (39-42 km)
Each plan below allows 75 minutes for immigration and returns 180 minutes early, as we advise. Times count from landing.
| 0:00-1:15 | Immigration, bags, meet your driver |
| 1:15-1:30 | Drive (7 km) |
| 1:30-2:15 | Notre-Dame Cathedral and Central Post Office |
| 2:15-2:30 | Back to the airport |
| 2:30-6:00 | Buffer and onward check-in |
Left out for time: Saigon-style iced milk coffee, Ben Thanh Market.
| 0:00-1:15 | Immigration, bags, meet your driver |
| 1:15-1:30 | Drive (7 km) |
| 1:30-2:15 | Notre-Dame Cathedral and Central Post Office |
| 2:15-2:25 | Drive |
| 2:25-3:10 | Nguyen Hue Walking Street |
| 3:10-3:20 | Drive |
| 3:20-3:50 | Saigon-style iced milk coffee |
| 3:50-4:00 | Drive |
| 4:00-4:45 | Vincom Center Dong Khoi and Saigon Centre |
| 4:45-5:00 | Back to the airport |
| 5:00-8:00 | Buffer and onward check-in |
Left out for time: Ben Thanh Market.
| 0:00-1:15 | Immigration, bags, meet your driver |
| 1:15-1:30 | Drive (7-8 km) |
| 1:30-2:15 | Independence Palace |
| 2:15-2:25 | Drive |
| 2:25-3:10 | Notre-Dame Cathedral and Central Post Office |
| 3:10-3:20 | Drive |
| 3:20-4:05 | Diamond Plaza and Giong coffee |
| 4:05-4:15 | Drive |
| 4:15-5:00 | Nguyen Hue Walking Street |
| 5:00-5:10 | Drive |
| 5:10-5:55 | Vincom Center Dong Khoi and Saigon Centre |
| 5:55-6:10 | Back to the airport |
| 6:10-10:00 | Buffer and onward check-in |
Left out for time: Ben Thanh Market, Cho Lon and Thien Hau Pagoda.
| 0:00-1:15 | Immigration, bags, meet your driver |
| 1:15-1:30 | Drive (7-8 km) |
| 1:30-2:15 | Independence Palace |
| 2:15-2:25 | Drive |
| 2:25-3:10 | War Remnants Museum |
| 3:10-3:20 | Drive |
| 3:20-4:05 | Notre-Dame Cathedral and Central Post Office |
| 4:05-4:15 | Drive |
| 4:15-5:00 | Diamond Plaza and Giong coffee |
| 5:00-5:10 | Drive |
| 5:10-5:55 | Nguyen Hue Walking Street |
| 5:55-6:05 | Drive |
| 6:05-6:50 | Vincom Center Dong Khoi and Saigon Centre |
| 6:50-7:00 | Drive |
| 7:00-7:45 | Ben Thanh Market |
| 7:45-7:55 | Drive |
| 7:55-8:40 | Nha Rong Wharf |
| 8:40-9:00 | Back to the airport |
| 9:00-12:00 | Buffer and onward check-in |
Left out for time: Cho Lon and Thien Hau Pagoda.
Yes, if you're allowed to enter Vietnam (e-visa or visa exemption). Allow for the immigration queue, the drive into town and an early return for your airline's check-in cutoff; the 8-hour plan above already builds these in.
About 7-8 km. In quiet hours usually 15-25 minutes; in rush hour it can take twice as long. Your driver times the departure to real traffic.
Cu Chi is about 40 km from the airport, often more than an hour each way. We only suggest it for very long windows if you are happy to skip the city centre.
International flights arrive at T2. If you land at the domestic T3, private-hire cars meet at their own point, separate from the taxi and ride-hailing zones. At either terminal, call your driver once you have your bags and they'll guide you to the meeting spot. Please add your flight number when you book.
Please send us your flight or ship schedule and we will be pleased to prepare a private car quote.
Real cars at the Car Rental Vietnam depot
Travel guides for this trip
For a Tan Son Nhat layover car visit, send both flight numbers, terminals, passenger count and luggage. Confirm entry requirements, baggage procedures and your airline’s required return time before booking. Plan backwards from the airport deadline, choosing a few suitable stops and allowing a margin for delays. Agree on arrangements if the inbound flight is late, the driver meeting point, service finish time and waiting charges. A car booking does not confirm that you are eligible or have enough time to leave the airport.
View the destination reference point on the map. This marker identifies the destination area; confirm the exact pickup address or meeting point when booking.
Private cars with driver from 4 to 45 seats, including Limousine vans and 29- and 45-seater coaches. Tolls, trip insurance and the driver's pay are included:
Book a car
