Will there be a Metro to Long Thanh Airport? It is the question every traveller ends up asking, and the answer is yes, in time. Several rail and metro lines are planned to link the new airport with central Ho Chi Minh City, aiming for a run of around thirty minutes into the centre. None of them is running yet. This guide is about that rail future: the lines on the drawing board, how far along they are, and when you can realistically expect to ride one. For the airport itself, its opening and how to reach it by road, see our Long Thanh airport guide and transfer guide.

At a glance. No rail link to Long Thanh Airport is running yet. Two projects will connect it: the Thủ Thiêm to Long Thanh line, a purpose-built airport line of about 41.8 kilometres with 20 stations, which broke ground in July 2026, and a planned eastward extension of Metro Line 1 toward Đồng Nai. The goal is roughly thirty minutes between the central Bến Thành area and the airport. Completion is targeted around 2031. Until then, the airport is reached by road.

Why the airport needs a rail link

Long Thanh sits well east of the city, in Đồng Nai province, far enough that the road transfer runs over an hour in normal traffic. That distance is exactly why a fast, fixed-time rail connection matters so much: as Long Thanh takes on more of the long-haul international flights that once used Tân Sơn Nhất, the number of travellers making that trip will only grow. A train removes the traffic uncertainty from the equation. For the precise distance, opening timeline and the road options available today, our airport guide is the place to look; this article stays with the rail plans.

The rail lines planned to reach Long Thanh

There is not one project but several, and together they explain why the airport is expected to feel much closer within a few years. Ho Chi Minh City is building out a wider urban rail network, described in the Ho Chi Minh City Metro plans, and the Long Thanh links are a headline part of it.

The Thủ Thiêm to Long Thanh line. This is the airport line proper, and the one most travellers will eventually use. It runs about 41.8 kilometres with 20 stations, from Thủ Thiêm on the eastern side of Ho Chi Minh City out to Long Thanh, with 11.7 kilometres inside the city and the rest through Đồng Nai province. Construction began in July 2026. Because Thủ Thiêm is itself being knitted into the city's rail network, with a short Bến Thành to Thủ Thiêm section of its own under way, this line ties the airport into the centre rather than leaving it stranded on the eastern edge.

An extension of Metro Line 1. The existing Bến Thành to Suối Tiên metro, the city's first line, is planned to be extended eastward toward Đồng Nai and the airport. Building on a line that already runs gives this option a head start, and it would let travellers connect to Long Thanh from the same network they use for Thảo Điền and the eastern suburbs.

The goal: about thirty minutes to the centre

The stated target across these projects is a trip of around thirty minutes between the central Bến Thành area and Long Thanh, once the network is complete. That would be a dramatic change from the current road transfer, and roughly in line with the kind of airport-to-centre rail times travellers know from other regional hubs. As with any target, treat the thirty-minute figure as an aim rather than a promise until the lines actually open.

When will the rail be ready?

Not before the end of the decade. The Thủ Thiêm to Long Thanh line broke ground in July 2026 and is targeted for completion around 2031, with the Metro Line 1 extension still working through its approvals. Timelines on infrastructure of this scale routinely shift, so if rail access matters to your trip, the sensible move is to check the latest locally as your travel dates approach, rather than assuming a particular line will be running.

Getting to Long Thanh until the rail opens

For every trip in the next few years, plan around the road rather than the train. A private car or an arranged transfer along the expressway is the comfortable choice, especially with luggage after a long flight. We compare all the current options, with real prices and journey times, in our Long Thanh to District 1 transfer guide.

What it means for your trip

In the long run, the rail network will make Long Thanh one of the better-connected airports in the region, with a fast, fixed-price ride into the centre. For now, though, it remains a plan under construction, so it should not change how you travel or where you stay just yet. Base yourself centrally, arrange a transfer for arrival and departure, and keep an eye on the rail progress for future visits.

Frequently asked questions

A central base whichever airport you land at

The Myst Đồng Khởi is a 108-room boutique heritage hotel in the heart of District 1, an easy point to reach from both airports. Inducted into the Michelin Guide Hotels and Stays selection and named 2025 World Luxury Hotel Awards Country Winner for Vietnam, its reservations team takes airport transfer requests and coordinates a private car so your arrival from Long Thanh or Tân Sơn Nhất is smooth from the moment you land.

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District 1 is where most visitors sleep, eat and sightsee, and for a first trip that is exactly right. But Ho Chi Minh City rewards anyone who steps a little further out. Within twenty minutes of the centre you can trade the downtown grid for a riverside expat village, a leafy district of French villas, a smoky seafood street, or the temples and markets of the largest Chinatown in the country. This guide sets out five neighborhoods beyond District 1, what each is like, how to reach it, and which traveller it suits, so you can pick the half-day that fits your trip.

The five in brief. Thảo Điền: riverside expat village, best by metro and water bus. District 3: old Saigon of villas and street food, walkable from the centre. District 4: seafood and street food after dark. Chợ Lớn (Cholon): the historic Chinatown of temples and markets. Đa Kao: a quiet French-colonial pocket on the edge of District 1. All are within about twenty minutes of downtown.

How to think about Saigon's neighborhoods

Keep District 1 as your base and treat each neighborhood as a half-day trip built around a meal or a mood. The city is easy to move around once you know the three tools: ride-hailing apps like Grab, Be and Xanh SM for door-to-door trips; Metro Line 1 for a fast run east toward Thảo Điền and Thủ Đức; and the water bus for a slow, scenic return along the river.

Distances are short but traffic is real, so plan by time of day rather than kilometres. Mornings suit temples and markets, late afternoons suit riverside areas and food streets, and evenings belong to District 3 and District 4. Mix and match, and you can see a very different Saigon each day without ever moving hotel.

Thảo Điền: the riverside expat village

Thảo Điền, on the eastern bank in Thủ Đức, is the city's international enclave: leafy streets, garden cafés, brunch spots and a slower, greener pace than downtown. It has grown up around a strong expat community, and today holds everything from Michelin Guide dining to some of the more than eighty cafés that line its lanes.

The clever way to visit is a loop: ride Metro Line 1 out to Thảo Điền station, spend the afternoon eating and wandering, then make your way to the river and float back downtown by water bus at sunset. Our Thảo Điền day-trip guide maps the whole thing. Best for: younger travellers, families and anyone who likes a relaxed, international pace.

District 3: the old soul of Saigon

Just west of District 1, and walkable from much of it, District 3 keeps the city's old character: tree-lined streets, French colonial villas and hidden cafés, mixed with some of the best street food in town. Its landmarks include the striking pink Tân Định Church, built in 1876, the octagonal Turtle Lake, a favourite evening hangout, and the War Remnants Museum for a sober, essential piece of history.

Come at night for Nguyễn Thượng Hiền, a food street famous for snails and seafood, buzzing from around six until late. District 3 has a more local, lived-in feel than District 1, which is exactly its appeal. Our District 3 guide covers it in detail. Best for: couples, culture lovers and slow wanderers.

District 4: seafood and street food after dark

Small, dense and just across a bridge from District 1, District 4 is an old port neighborhood that has become one of the city's great foodie corners. Its heart is Vĩnh Khánh, a seafood street that fires up its charcoal grills at dusk and fills with young locals eating snails, grilled scallops and clams on tiny plastic stools.

Nearby, the Xóm Chiếu market and its evening alleys hold hundreds of street-food stalls for those who want to eat like a local for very little. It is a five-minute hop over the Ông Lãnh bridge from District 1, best after dark. Our District 4 food guide has the details. Best for: foodies and night owls.

Chợ Lớn: the historic Chinatown

Around four to six kilometres west, Chợ Lớn is the largest Chinatown in Vietnam, spread mainly across District 5. It is a dense, aromatic world of Chinese temples, covered markets and Cantonese-Vietnamese food, layered over centuries of heritage. The classic route starts at the vast Bình Tây Market and walks toward the Bà Thiên Hậu Temple, dedicated to the sea goddess Mazu, with the herbal-medicine street of Hải Thượng Lãn Ông and the historic Cha Tâm Church nearby.

Give it a morning or a full day, and wander the in-between lanes as much as the landmarks. Our Cholon guide lays out a walking route. Best for: heritage travellers and anyone who loves a market.

Đa Kao: a French-colonial pocket on the edge of District 1

If you would rather not go far, Đa Kao sits on the northern edge of District 1, between the centre and Bình Thạnh. It is a quiet grid of colonial-era buildings, consulates and an unusually high concentration of good restaurants and bars, easy to fold into a walk from the centre. It makes a gentle half-day for travellers who want something a little different without a journey, and pairs naturally with our self-guided District 1 walks.

Which neighborhood suits your trip

• Riverside and relaxed: Thảo Điền, best as a metro-and-water-bus loop.
• History and architecture: District 3, with the Pink Church, Turtle Lake and the War Remnants Museum.
• Street food and nightlife: District 4, for Vĩnh Khánh seafood and the Xóm Chiếu alleys.
• Heritage and markets: Chợ Lớn, for Bình Tây Market and the temples of Chinatown.
• Close and easy: Đa Kao, a colonial pocket within walking distance of the centre.

Getting around and timing

Use ride-hailing apps for anywhere a taxi makes sense, keep some cash for markets and food streets, and let the time of day guide you: temples and markets in the morning, riverside and food streets in the late afternoon and evening. For the eastern neighborhoods, the metro and water bus turn the journey itself into part of the fun, as we describe in our Saigon riverfront guide.

Frequently asked questions

A central base for exploring every side of Saigon

The Myst Đồng Khởi is a 108-room boutique heritage hotel in the heart of District 1, within walking distance of the river, the metro and the Nguyễn Huệ pedestrian street. Inducted into the Michelin Guide Hotels and Stays selection and named 2025 World Luxury Hotel Awards Country Winner for Vietnam, it is an easy launch point for a different neighborhood every day.

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Every so often a city builds something that becomes a postcard before it even opens. That is the feeling around the new Saigon pedestrian bridge rising over the Saigon River. Shaped like a water-coconut leaf and built to carry only people on foot and on bicycles, it will finally let you walk from the centre of District 1 across to the Thủ Thiêm park. Here is what it is, the design story behind it, when it is expected to open, and how to watch it take shape today.

At a glance. Length about 720 metres, with a 187-metre main span. Steel arch shaped like a water-coconut leaf. Deck 6 to 11 metres wide. Navigation clearance 80 metres wide and 10 metres high. Investment near 1,000 billion VND, funded by Nutifood. Broke ground March 2025, targeting completion around National Day, 2 September 2026.

What is being built

The bridge is a pedestrian and cycling crossing about 720 metres long, with a main span of 187 metres carried on a spatial steel arch. The deck varies from roughly 6 to 11 metres wide, and the structure leaves a navigation clearance of about 80 metres wide and 10 metres high so that boats can still pass beneath. It is built mainly from steel and reinforced concrete, finished in white, with glass and LED elements for night lighting.

Unlike the road bridges upstream, this one is designed purely for people. That changes how it feels: less a piece of traffic infrastructure and more a public space in its own right, a place to stroll, pause and photograph the river rather than simply cross it. At night the white arch is intended to become a canvas for artistic lighting.

The design story: a leaf over the river

The most striking feature is the shape. The steel arch is modelled on a water-coconut leaf, a plant of the southern Vietnamese wetlands, and it is described as the first structure of its kind in the country. The design comes from a team led by Chodai and Takashi Niwa Architects, working with Chodai Kisojiban Vietnam.

Just as notable is how it is being paid for. The bridge, at close to 1,000 billion VND, is funded in full by the nutrition company Nutifood, making it one of the city's most prominent privately financed public landmarks. That backing is part of why the project has moved quickly since breaking ground.

Where it will land

The crossing links the Bạch Đằng promenade on the District 1 side with the riverside park in the Thủ Thiêm new urban area on the far bank. In other words, it joins the two halves of the waterfront that people already love, so that an evening on the Bạch Đằng and Thủ Thiêm parks becomes a single continuous walk.

For a visitor staying in the centre, that is the exciting part. Today, reaching the Thủ Thiêm lawns means a short taxi ride or a boat. Once the bridge opens, it becomes a stroll of a few minutes straight across the Saigon River.

When will it open?

The bridge broke ground in March 2025 and has moved quickly, with the main structure well advanced through the year and the steel arch floated into place in 2026. Recent reports have the project accelerating toward completion around National Day, 2 September 2026.

Completion dates on works this size can still move, and this one has already shifted more than once, so treat 2 September as a target rather than a fixed promise. If your trip is close to the expected opening, it is worth a quick local check to see whether the bridge is walkable yet, since an about-to-open and a just-opened bridge make for very different evenings.

What it will change

Beyond the postcard, the bridge stitches the riverfront together. It gives the two parks a shared front door, makes a full loop possible on foot, and adds a genuinely new vantage point over the water at the exact hour the skyline lights up. With its white arch and night lighting, expect it to become one of the city's most photographed sunset spots almost immediately. For the bigger picture of how the whole waterfront is changing, see our guide to the Saigon riverfront.

How to see it now

You do not have to wait to enjoy the story. From the Bạch Đằng promenade you can already watch the arch take shape across the water, and the view is especially good at dusk when the site is silhouetted against the Thủ Thiêm bank. A ride on the Saigon Water Bus also passes the construction, giving you the bridge from the river itself. Whichever you choose, it is a fine excuse for an evening by the water.

Frequently asked questions

Right where the riverfront meets the city

The Myst Đồng Khởi is a 108-room boutique heritage hotel in the quietest corner of District 1, five minutes on foot from the Bạch Đằng promenade where the new bridge lands. Inducted into the Michelin Guide Hotels and Stays selection and named 2025 World Luxury Hotel Awards Country Winner for Vietnam, it puts the river and its newest landmark within an easy evening walk.

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For the price of a street coffee you can swap the traffic for the river. The Saigon WaterBus is a real commuter service that locals ride home, but it also happens to be one of the loveliest slow things to do in the city, especially at sunset. This guide covers everything you need to ride it well: what it is, the six wharves and what is near each, what a ticket costs, when it runs, the exact stretch to aim for when the light turns gold, and how it differs from a dinner cruise.

At a glance. Launched November 2017, operated by Thường Nhật. Route 1: Bạch Đằng (District 1) to Linh Đông (Thủ Đức), about 11 km, six wharves. Fare around 15,000 VND per leg. Runs from morning through the evening, with times that vary by day and season, so check the board on the day. Best ride: board at Bạch Đằng between five and six for the sunset.

What the water bus actually is

The service is a scheduled river boat, not a tour cruise, which is part of its charm. The Saigon Water Bus launched in November 2017, run by the operator Thường Nhật, as a genuine commuter link between the centre and the northern suburbs. The first route covers roughly eleven kilometres, running upstream from Bạch Đằng in District 1 to Linh Đông in Thủ Đức.

The boats are covered and air-conditioned and seat several dozen passengers, with open deck space at the back where most people stand for the views. Because it is public transport rather than a private charter, it is cheap, frequent enough for a spontaneous outing, and full of locals rather than only tourists.

The six wharves and what is near each

Route 1 runs from Bạch Đằng upstream to Linh Đông, calling at a series of wharves along the way. The exact stops in service have changed over time, so it is worth checking the current list, but the main ones are:

• Bạch Đằng (District 1). The main hub, at No. 2 Tôn Đức Thắng in the city centre, beside the Trần Hưng Đạo statue and the downtown promenade. This is where nearly all visitors board.
• Thủ Thiêm. The eastern bank directly opposite District 1, the stop for the Thủ Thiêm riverside park and its sunflower field.
• Bình An and Thảo Điền. Quiet, leafy stops on the east bank serving the Thảo Điền neighborhood, best known for open views across to Landmark 81 and handy for the metro-and-boat loop.
• Thanh Đa. The gateway to the Thanh Đa and Bình Quới peninsula, a pocket of gardens, riverside restaurants and an older, slower Saigon.
• Hiệp Bình Chánh. A residential Thủ Đức stop, more local than touristy.
• Linh Đông. The upstream end of the line, deep in Thủ Đức.

For a first ride, board and return at Bạch Đằng. If you want a destination, Thủ Thiêm for the park or Bình An for the skyline view are the two most rewarding stops.

Tickets, hours and who rides free

A single ride costs around 15,000 VND, bought per leg, so a there-and-back trip is roughly 30,000 VND and you buy the return separately. Tickets are sold at each wharf. Travel is usually free for older passengers, people with disabilities, war veterans and very young children, though it is worth confirming current terms at the counter.

Operating hours vary noticeably between sources, days and seasons: the service generally runs from morning through the early evening, with extra sailings at weekends and on holidays, and an evening service introduced in 2021 extended the timetable on some days. Because the exact hours change, treat any timetable as a guide and check the board at the wharf or the official site, especially for the last sailing. The one thing every source agrees on is the sunset window in the late afternoon.

The best ride: sunset from Bạch Đằng

If you only do one trip, make it the late-afternoon one. Board at Bạch Đằng between about five and six, ride upstream, and take the same boat back so you are on the water as the sun drops. From the Bình An stretch the view opens toward Landmark 81, and the whole downtown skyline glows behind you on the way home.

You do not need to get off anywhere. Many people simply ride out and back for the scenery, stepping off at Bạch Đằng into the evening promenade crowd. Bring a light layer for the breeze on deck, keep your phone handy for the skyline, and aim for a clear dry-season evening between November and March for the sharpest light.

The metro-and-boat loop to Thảo Điền

The clever local move is to combine the boat with the train. Ride Metro Line 1 out to Thảo Điền for lunch and a wander, then make your way to the river and float back downtown by water bus as the day cools. It turns two ordinary journeys into the nicest half-day loop in the city, and neither leg needs a car. We map the whole thing in our Thảo Điền day-trip guide, and set the boat in the wider context of the reborn Saigon riverfront.

Water bus or dinner cruise: which to pick

They are two different experiences that both leave from Bạch Đằng. The water bus is cheap public transport at around 15,000 VND, quick, and best for the scenery and the sunset. A Saigon River dinner cruise is a longer, ticketed evening with a set menu, live music and a slower loop, designed for a special night out rather than getting anywhere.

If you want the view and the local feel on a budget, take the water bus. If you want dinner on the water with the skyline as your backdrop, book a cruise. Many visitors do both across a few days, and the two make a natural pair.

A few practical tips

• Buy your return separately. Each ticket is one leg, so grab both if you know you are coming straight back.
• Mind the weekday cut-off. Weekday service ends earlier than weekends, so check the last sailing if you are chasing a late sunset.
• Arrive a little early at golden hour. The five-to-six sailings are the most popular, and boats can fill on clear evenings.
• Carry small cash. Wharf counters are simplest paid in cash, and you will want some for snacks on the promenade afterwards.
• Pair it with a walk. Bạch Đằng sits right beside the promenade, so it slots neatly into an evening on the District 1 walking route.

Frequently asked questions

Five minutes from the wharf

The Myst Đồng Khởi is a 108-room boutique heritage hotel in the quietest corner of District 1, a five-minute walk from the Bạch Đằng wharf and the Saigon River. Inducted into the Michelin Guide Hotels and Stays selection and named 2025 World Luxury Hotel Awards Country Winner for Vietnam, it is an easy walk out to catch the sunset boat and back again for dinner.

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Twice a day, at dawn and again at dusk, the best free show in Ho Chi Minh City plays out along two ribbons of parkland that stare at each other across the water. One belongs to District 1: the Bạch Đằng promenade. The other, newer and far bigger, sits on the Thủ Thiêm bank opposite. Between them they have become the spot where young Saigon comes to unwind. Here is how to enjoy each side, what is actually worth your time, and how to hop across.

At a glance. Bạch Đằng park: No. 2 Tôn Đức Thắng, District 1, roughly 23,400 square metres, about five minutes on foot from Đồng Khởi. Thủ Thiêm park: eastern bank, opened December 2023, nearly 20 hectares, open daily around 6am to 10pm. Both are free. Come late afternoon into the evening.

Bạch Đằng: the near side

For most people, Bạch Đằng is where the river introduces itself. The park stretches for more than a kilometre along the western bank at the foot of District 1, at No. 2 Tôn Đức Thắng, five minutes from the heart of Đồng Khởi and right behind the Nguyễn Huệ pedestrian street. Its landmark is hard to miss: a six-metre statue of the general Trần Hưng Đạo, one arm flung out toward the water, standing guard here for decades.

Mornings belong to joggers and tai chi circles. The place only truly wakes at dusk. By five o'clock the breeze picks up off the river, snack carts trundle out, someone is usually strumming a guitar, and families settle in to watch the lights come on across in Thủ Thiêm. This is also the working heart of the river: the main jetty where most people catch the water bus, and where the dinner cruises slip their moorings after dark. For the bigger story of how the whole waterfront is being reborn, see our guide to the Saigon riverfront.

Thủ Thiêm: the far side, and the busier one

Cross the water and you reach the bank locals treat as their own outdoor living room. The riverside park at Thủ Thiêm opened on 23 December 2023. It covers close to 20 hectares and runs about 600 metres, from the Ba Son bridge down to the river tunnel, laid out in thirteen zones: broad community lawns, a stone garden, a fountain, and a riverside Love Bridge among them.

Because it faces the downtown towers head-on, the crowds peak at sunset, when everyone turns to watch the skyline light up. The lawns are wide and made for sprawling. People arrive with mats, iced coffee and takeaway dinners, and simply stay. In a centre this dense, open sky and a long horizon over the Saigon River are rare things, and this is where you find them.

The sunflower field and the photo corners

What sends Thủ Thiêm trending online is a seasonal sunflower field, roughly 5,000 to 6,000 square metres of blooms turned toward the water and Bạch Đằng beyond. It is only one of the park's thirteen zones, sitting alongside the Love Bridge, the fountain and the stone garden. But it is the most photographed corner by far, so at golden hour, expect company.

The plantings are seasonal and rotate through the year, with the biggest displays timed to festivals. So rather than assume the sunflowers are out, it is worth a quick local check before you make the trip. For soft light and thinner crowds, aim for early morning or the hour before sunset.

D-Joy: the activity zone by the water

Since 11 May 2024 the park has also had D-Joy, a two-hectare zone packed with more than twenty things to do. It is aimed squarely at younger visitors and families: pickleball courts and drone racing, plus street carnival acts, giant kite-flying and a run of food stalls. Enough to swallow a whole afternoon without noticing.

D-Joy runs as a pop-up, so the line-up shifts with the seasons. Travelling with restless teenagers, or after something more than a stroll? This is the part to head for, and it slots neatly around an evening on the grass once the sun drops.

Tết at the riverside

Around Lunar New Year the Thủ Thiêm bank turns into one of the largest spring flower markets on the eastern side of the city, its themed displays and stalls running for the week or so before the holiday. If your trip lands near Tết, that is a stroke of luck, because there are few more local ways to feel the season. Our Tết 2027 guide covers what else is happening around town.

Crossing between the two banks

For now the parks are close but not yet joined. From District 1, a taxi across the Ba Son bridge or through the river tunnel puts you on the Thủ Thiêm side in under fifteen minutes. The nicer option is the water bus, which calls at both Bạch Đằng and Thủ Thiêm and turns the crossing itself into part of the outing.

A third way is on its way. A coconut-leaf pedestrian bridge is going up to link the two parks directly, and once it opens you will cross on foot in a few minutes. We follow its progress in our pedestrian bridge update, and cover the boat option in the water bus guide.

Best time to visit, and a few practical notes

• Best hours. Late afternoon into early evening, with the finest light between five and half past six. Prefer calm? Go early, when it is cool and quiet.
• Best season. The dry months, roughly November to March, give the steadiest evenings.
• What to pack. A mat, water, something for the sun, and a little cash for snacks. Both parks have basic parking and restrooms.
• With kids. The lawns are open and safe to run on, and D-Joy is built for busy families. Just keep an eye on little ones near the water's edge.

Frequently asked questions

A quiet base a short walk from the river

The Myst Đồng Khởi is a 108-room boutique heritage hotel in the calmest corner of District 1, five minutes on foot from the Saigon River and the Bạch Đằng promenade. Inducted into the Michelin Guide Hotels and Stays selection and named 2025 World Luxury Hotel Awards Country Winner for Vietnam, it is an easy place to come home to after an evening on the grass.

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→ Book direct for our best rate

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For most of its modern life the Saigon River was something you crossed, not somewhere you went. That has changed. In the space of a few years the banks on both sides have been rebuilt into parks, a river bus that locals actually ride home has found its rhythm, and a pedestrian bridge shaped like a coconut leaf is rising over the water. This guide covers the whole reborn waterfront: what is on each bank, how to move between them, where to eat with a river view, and how to spend one unhurried golden-hour afternoon along it, all within a short walk or ride of central District 1.

The riverfront at a glance. Main access point: Bạch Đằng Wharf, No. 2 Tôn Đức Thắng, District 1, about five minutes on foot from the Đồng Khởi area. Two facing parks, one river bus route, one pedestrian bridge under construction. Best hours: roughly 4pm to 8pm, dry season (November to March) for the most reliable evenings. Almost everything here is free to enjoy.

Why the Saigon River is having a moment

The short answer is that the city finally turned to face its river. The Saigon River runs about 251 kilometres from Cambodia down through the city to the sea, and for decades the downtown stretch was working waterfront and traffic, not leisure. The opening of new public parks on both banks, along with the river tunnel and the Ba Son bridge, changed the geography of an evening out.

Young Saigon noticed first. On any dry-season evening the lawns fill with students, couples and families carrying iced coffee and takeaway dinners, staying until the towers across the water are fully lit. What was once a barrier down the middle of the city now reads as its longest, most open public space, and it is still gaining pieces year by year.

Bạch Đằng Wharf: the District 1 waterfront

Bạch Đằng is where most people meet the river, and the easiest riverside to reach on foot. The promenade sits at No. 2 Tôn Đức Thắng, running roughly 1,352 metres along the western bank across about 23,400 square metres of park. It is a five-minute stroll from the heart of Đồng Khởi, just past the Nguyễn Huệ pedestrian street, and it sits at the meeting point of Đồng Khởi, Hàm Nghi and Nguyễn Huệ.

The landmark here is the statue of Trần Hưng Đạo, the general who twice repelled Mongol invasions, standing about six metres tall on a high triangular base with one hand pointing out over the water. By morning the promenade belongs to joggers and tai chi groups. After about five o'clock it turns into a gentle strip of snack carts, buskers and people sitting to watch the boats, with Landmark 81 glowing downstream.

Bạch Đằng is also the working heart of the river: the main wharf for the water bus, and the departure point for the dinner cruises that glide out after dark serving set menus under the city lights. If you only learn one riverside name before you arrive, make it this one.

The Thủ Thiêm riverside park: the far bank

Across the water, the eastern bank holds the city's favourite open-air living room. The Saigon riverside park at Thủ Thiêm opened on 23 December 2023 and covers nearly 20 hectares along about 600 metres of bank, running from near the Ba Son bridge to the Thủ Thiêm tunnel. It is built around thirteen main components, including wide community lawns, a stone park, a fountain and a riverside love bridge, and it is open daily from about 6am to 10pm.

Because it faces straight back at the downtown towers, it draws its biggest crowds at sunset. The headline attraction is a seasonal sunflower field of roughly 5,000 to 6,000 square metres, planted to look across the water toward Bạch Đằng. Since May 2024 the park has also held D-Joy, an entertainment zone of nearly two hectares with more than twenty activities, from pickleball and drone racing to street carnival acts, giant kite-flying and food stalls.

The plantings and pop-up attractions change through the year, so it is worth a quick local check on what is on when you visit. Our companion guide to the Bạch Đằng and Thủ Thiêm parks walks through each bank in detail.

Riding the Saigon Water Bus

The nicest way to feel the river is from the middle of it. The Saigon Water Bus launched in November 2017 as a real commuter service, run by the operator Thường Nhật, and it doubles as one of the loveliest slow things to do in the city. The first route covers about eleven kilometres from Bạch Đằng upstream to Linh Đông in Thủ Đức, calling at a series of wharves including Bạch Đằng, Thủ Thiêm, Bình An, Thảo Điền, Thanh Đa, Hiệp Bình Chánh and Linh Đông (the stops in service have changed over time, so check the current list).

A single ride costs around 15,000 VND, about the price of a street coffee, bought per leg. Boats are covered and air-conditioned, and an evening service introduced in 2021 makes the sunset run possible. From the Bình An stretch the view opens toward Landmark 81, and many locals pair the boat with the train: metro out to Thảo Điền, then float home by water. We cover the whole thing in the water bus guide and map the loop in our Thảo Điền day-trip guide.

The coconut-leaf pedestrian bridge

The piece that will tie the two banks together is still going up, and it is the one to watch. A pedestrian and cycling bridge about 720 metres long is being built to link Bạch Đằng directly with the Thủ Thiêm park, with a main span of 187 metres and a steel arch shaped like a water-coconut leaf, a symbol of southern Vietnam. It is designed by the Chodai and Takashi Niwa Architects team and funded in full by Nutifood, at close to 1,000 billion VND.

Construction began in early 2025, and recent reports have the project accelerating toward completion around National Day, 2 September 2026. Dates on works this size can still move, so treat that as a target rather than a promise and check locally near your visit. Once it opens, crossing the river on foot from the centre will take only a few minutes. We track progress in our pedestrian bridge update.

Where to eat and drink with a river view

The riverfront rewards an appetite. At street level, the Bạch Đằng promenade is lined with snack carts in the evening, from grilled corn and rice-paper skewers to fresh coconut. For something with a view and a tablecloth, the wharf is the departure point for Saigon River dinner cruises, which serve Asian and European set menus while the skyline slides past.

Higher up, the towers around the river hold some of the city's best-known rooftop bars, where a sundowner comes with a long view over the water and the Thủ Thiêm bank. Book the earlier end of the evening for the sunset slot. For a full sit-down meal, the heritage streets just back from the water in District 1 are dense with options, many of them mapped in our self-guided District 1 walks.

A golden-hour afternoon along the river

If you have one free evening, here is the version we would do ourselves. Leave the centre around four o'clock, when the heat is easing, and walk down to Bạch Đằng past the Trần Hưng Đạo statue. Stroll the promenade, then catch the water bus upstream and ride it back so you are mid-river as the sun drops and the skyline lights up behind you.

Step off at Bạch Đằng into the evening crowd, pick up something from a snack cart, and either settle in for a river dinner cruise or walk back into District 1 for a sit-down meal. Prefer to stay on foot? Once the new bridge opens you will be able to cross straight to the Thủ Thiêm park for the sunflower field and the skyline view, then wander back the same way.

Practical tips for visiting the Saigon riverfront

• Getting there. From central District 1, Bạch Đằng is a five to ten minute walk. The Thủ Thiêm park is a short taxi ride across the Ba Son bridge or through the river tunnel, or a stop on the water bus.
• Best time. Late afternoon into early evening, with the best light between five and half past six. Dry season, November to March, gives the most reliable evenings.
• What to bring. A light layer for the breeze on the water, sun cover for late afternoon, and a little cash for snacks and boat tickets.
• Safety. Both banks are busy, family-friendly public spaces after dark. Keep an eye on your phone and bag while taking photos, and use a reputable taxi or ride-hailing app for the trip home.

Frequently asked questions

Want to wake up five minutes from the river?

The Myst Đồng Khởi is a 108-room boutique heritage hotel in the quietest corner of District 1, a five-minute walk from the Saigon River and four from the Nguyễn Huệ Flower Street. Inducted into the Michelin Guide Hotels and Stays selection and named 2025 World Luxury Hotel Awards Country Winner for Vietnam, it is a calm base for slow riverside evenings and an easy walk home afterwards.

→ See our rooms and suites

→ Book direct for our best rate

Crafted by Silverland Hotels.

Long Thanh Airport sits 45 kilometres east of central Saigon. That's about an hour by car if traffic plays nice. Roughly half your morning if it doesn't. So the journey to District 1 isn't a footnote, it's a real chunk of your arrival day. This guide breaks down each realistic transfer option (private chauffeur, hotel pickup, ride-hail, airport bus, plus the future metro) with reference prices, journey times by time of day, and what the road actually looks like. By the end you'll know which option fits your travel style and budget, and how to dodge the worst traffic windows.

The journey at a glance

From the Long Thanh international arrivals hall to a District 1 hotel, the route runs west on the HCMC-Long Thành-Dầu Giây Expressway (CT.01) for approximately 30 km, then onto the Mai Chí Thọ expressway through District 2, crossing the Thủ Thiêm tunnel under the Saigon River into central District 1. Total distance is around 45 km. Off-peak journey time is 45-60 minutes; rush hour pushes it to 75-90 minutes. For the engineering and historical background of the route, you can read a detailed reference on the CT.01 expressway.

Three pinch points determine your actual time:

• Long Thanh exit traffic (mainly affects arrivals during peak Vietnamese commuting hours)
• The Mai Chí Thọ / Cát Lái junction (heavy during morning and evening commutes)
• The Thủ Thiêm tunnel approach (the single most congested point on the route)

Avoid arriving in District 1 between 7:30-9am and 5-7pm if you can choose your flight timing. Late-evening and early-morning arrivals run smoothly through the entire route.

Five transfer options compared

A note on these numbers: the prices above are estimates based on distance and comparable existing routes from Tan Son Nhat. They aren't final figures yet. We'll update them once official rates are published after Long Thanh begins commercial operations.

Private chauffeur transfer

The most reliable option, and the standard for luxury hotels. Pre-booked, a black sedan or SUV meets you at the international arrivals hall with a name card, sees you to a comfortable car, and tracks your flight in real time so any delays adjust the pickup automatically. The driver speaks at least functional English. Vehicles are typically modern Toyota Camry, Mercedes E-Class or similar in the premium tier.

Booking flow: arrange through your hotel concierge at least 48 hours before arrival, sharing flight number and arrival time. The driver receives a confirmation 4-6 hours before flight landing. Most premium services include bottled water, charging cables and basic Wi-Fi in the car.

Best for: families, couples with luggage, first-time visitors, late-night arrivals, anyone who values getting their first impression of Saigon right.

Hotel airport transfer (often complimentary)

Four- and five-star hotels in Saigon often include complimentary airport transfers; the specific terms vary by hotel policy and booking channel. Service quality varies widely too, and the better hotels match the private chauffeur experience above. Ask three questions before relying on this:

• Is the transfer included for my stay length, or is there a charge?
• Is the vehicle private (just my party) or shared?
• What happens if my flight is delayed?

For travellers booking luxury hotels in central Saigon, complimentary private transfers with real-time flight tracking are standard.

Grab and Be ride-hail

Both apps will operate at Long Thanh from day one. Expect fewer drivers initially (probably the first three months) with longer wait times at peak arrival windows. Pickup is at a designated zone, typically a short covered walk from arrivals. Pricing for the District 1 trip will land in the VND 700,000-950,000 range one-way, with surge pricing at peak arrival waves. Both apps accept international credit cards.

Best for: solo travellers or couples with light luggage, those comfortable using apps in transit, travellers landing outside peak hours.

Practical tips: download the app and add a payment method before flying. The arrivals hall Wi-Fi may have weak coverage; use airplane mode roaming for the first few minutes. Pickup zone signs are bilingual.

Official taxi (walk-up)

Vinasun and Mai Linh are the two major taxi brands you'll see at the official rank. They use metered fares and are reliable for direct trips. Pricing tends to land slightly above Grab/Be, VND 800,000-1,100,000 for the District 1 trip. Avoid any taxi that approaches you inside the arrivals hall. Those are typically unmetered and will quote inflated flat rates.

Best for: walk-up arrivals when you don't want to mess with apps, late-night arrivals when official ranks are still staffed.

Airport bus

Express airport bus services are planned for Phase 1 with stops at Thủ Đức and downtown District 1. Tickets will be in the VND 80,000-150,000 range, payable in cash or contactless card. Journey time will be 90-120 minutes including stops. Suitcase storage under the bus.

Best for: budget travellers, solo arrivals without large luggage, daylight arrivals. Less practical for families or anyone arriving late at night.

Rail to Long Thanh, in time

Work has started on a rail link. The Thủ Thiêm to Long Thanh line, about 41.8 kilometres with 20 stations, broke ground in July 2026 and is targeted for completion around 2031, and an extension of Metro Line 1 toward Đồng Nai is planned alongside it. Neither will help you for a trip in the next few years, so plan around the road. We cover the rail plans in full in our guide to the metro lines coming to Long Thanh Airport.

How time of day affects your journey

If your flight allows, target an arrival between 9am-12pm or 12pm-4pm. Avoid 4pm-7pm at all costs. Even a perfect airport experience can be undone by the journey home.

What to expect en route

The drive from Long Thanh to District 1 has a distinct rhythm.

The first 30 minutes are on the CT.01 expressway running through Đồng Nai countryside, rural landscape with rubber plantations, an occasional industrial estate. The road is well-maintained, smooth, and toll-collected (your driver handles this; cost is built into the fare).

The middle 15-20 minutes bring you into HCMC's eastern districts. Traffic density picks up. You'll exit the CT.01 at the An Phú interchange and merge onto the Mai Chí Thọ expressway through District 2. The first city skyline views start to appear here as the road tracks toward Thủ Thiêm.

The final 15-20 minutes take you through District 2 (Thủ Thiêm), then under the Saigon River via the Thủ Thiêm tunnel into central District 1. This is the most likely point for delay. The tunnel is single-bore in each direction and backs up at peak. You emerge into District 1 near the riverside, with the heritage corridor immediately accessible.

Rest stops: there are no major service stations on the CT.01 between Long Thanh and HCMC; if you need a stop, your driver can pause at a fuel station along Mai Chí Thọ in District 2. Most premium transfers go direct without stops.

Tips for first-time arrivals at Long Thanh

• Get currency at the arrivals hall for the first 24 hours. VND 2-4 million in 200,000 and 500,000 notes covers a comfortable first day. Use bank ATMs in District 1 for subsequent withdrawals; the rates are better.
• Buy a SIM card at the airport. Viettel, Mobifone, Vinaphone all have arrivals counters. Tourist SIMs with 30-day data run around VND 250,000. Bring your passport. For broader logistics on arrival in Vietnam, general Vietnam travel guides cover the essentials in more depth.
• Pre-book your transfer. Especially in the first 12 months of Long Thanh operations, Grab/Be supply will be limited. A pre-arranged transfer removes the uncertainty.
• Carry an emergency 50 USD in small notes. Useful if cards have issues or for tipping. Pickpocket risk at Long Thanh is low compared to crowded urban centres but standard travel precautions still apply. See our Saigon travel safety tips for context.
• Don't agree to flat-rate taxi offers from drivers approaching you inside the arrivals hall. Walk to the official taxi rank outside or to the designated Grab pickup zone.
• If arriving during Tết 2027 or other peak holidays, confirm your hotel transfer at booking. Fleets often book out during festival weeks.

For the broader overview of Long Thanh Airport and the airport comparison with Tân Sơn Nhất, see our complete Long Thanh guide and Long Thanh vs Tân Sơn Nhất comparison.

How The Myst Đồng Khởi handles your transfer

The pickup experience at The Myst Đồng Khởi is set up so you don't have to think about logistics after you land. Our reservations team takes the request the moment you confirm a booking. Sharing your flight number with us is all we need from your side, and the rest of the coordination is on us.

Guests who book directly through our website and stay two nights or more receive a complimentary one-way Tân Sơn Nhất transfer. Long Thanh doesn't yet have a complimentary programme since the airport is still pre-launch; in the meantime, our reservations team can arrange a private chauffeur from Long Thanh for any stay length.

At the airport, your driver waits at the international arrivals hall with a name card, at the dedicated luxury pickup area. The drive back via the CT.01 expressway takes about 60-75 minutes. The driver speaks English fluently and can share tips on the route, currency exchange, or dinner ideas if you'd like a head start on planning your first evening.

Transfer time is typically 60 to 75 minutes via the CT.01 expressway, with the option to detour through the Nguyễn Huệ pedestrian street for a brief introduction to District 1 if you arrive before 10pm. Once at the hotel, the front desk team checks you in personally with bags brought to your room.

Frequently asked questions

Arrive in District 1 the smooth way

For long-haul travellers, the time between landing and dropping bags at the hotel is where a stay starts. The Myst Đồng Khởi takes care of the entire pre-arrival flow: real-time flight tracking from the moment your number is confirmed, name-card meet at international arrivals, and a private chauffeur for the 60 to 75 minute drive into District 1. By the time you reach our heritage corner near Nguyễn Huệ pedestrian street, every detail of the arrival is already settled. We are inducted in the Michelin Guide Hotels and Stays selection and Country Winner Vietnam at the 2025 World Luxury Hotel Awards.

→ See our rooms and suites

→ Book direct for our best available rate

Crafted by Silverland Hotels.

From late 2026 onward, Saigon runs two international airports side by side. One is Tân Sơn Nhất (SGN), the gateway you've likely used before, planted right inside the city. The other is Long Thanh (LTI), brand new, 45 kilometres east. The first question every traveller asks is direct: which one is my flight actually landing at, and how do I find out before I book? This guide takes that head on. You'll get the comparison table, the route allocation logic the airlines are using, and what each option means for your first day.

The quick answer

Long-haul international (from Europe, North America, Middle East, Australia) → Long Thanh.
Regional Asia + domestic → Tân Sơn Nhất.

Check your airline ticket to confirm the specific airport code. SGN = Tân Sơn Nhất, LTI = Long Thanh. Both airports operate simultaneously during the transition. The airline you booked decides where you land.

That's the simple version. The full picture has a few moving parts, especially in the transition window, when some carriers will use both airports for the same destination depending on season or day.

How to confirm your airport before you travel

Three quick checks before you head to the airport:

• Read the ticket. Your e-ticket lists the IATA code of the arrival airport. SGN means Tân Sơn Nhất. LTI means Long Thanh. If you see both codes on a connecting itinerary, you have an inter-airport transfer to plan.
• Check the airline's website 48 hours before departure. Aircraft swaps occasionally shift a flight from one airport to the other, especially during the transition months. The most recent confirmed routing is on your booking page.
• Look at the airline app for any schedule alerts. Push notifications about gate, terminal or airport changes go through the app before email.

If you're booking a hotel transfer in advance, share the flight number with your concierge. They'll track real-time changes and adjust the pickup automatically.

For the broader overview of Long Thanh Airport including phase timeline and tourism impact, see our complete Long Thanh Airport guide.

Side-by-side comparison table

Route allocation: which airlines will use which airport

The split isn't random. Civil aviation authorities and the airlines themselves have allocated routes based on aircraft type, slot demand, and operational efficiency.

Confirmed for Long Thanh (Phase 1)

• Vietnamese carriers: Vietnam Airlines (long-haul fleet, Boeing 787, Airbus A350), Bamboo Airways (international wide-body services), Vietjet (selected long-haul).
• Star Alliance early movers: Singapore Airlines, ANA, Air Canada, United, Lufthansa.
• Skyteam early movers: Korean Air, Delta, KLM, Air France, China Airlines.
• Oneworld and independents: Cathay Pacific, Qatar Airways, Emirates, Etihad, Qantas.

Expected to stay at Tân Sơn Nhất

• All domestic Vietnamese carriers on intra-Vietnam routes (Hà Nội, Đà Nẵng, Phú Quốc, Nha Trang).
• Regional Asia low-cost carriers such as AirAsia, Scoot, Jetstar and T'way on short-haul routes within 5 flight hours.
• Some Vietnam Airlines and Vietjet narrow-body services on Bangkok, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Manila.

The grey zone: mixed routes during transition

For the first 12-18 months after Long Thanh opens, expect mixed operations for routes like:

• Tokyo, Seoul, Hong Kong: could land at either airport depending on carrier and aircraft type
• Bangkok and Singapore: wider-body services may shift to Long Thanh while narrow-body stays at SGN
• Charter flights: likely concentrated at Long Thanh for capacity reasons

If you're flying any of these routes between late 2026 and mid-2028, treat your booking confirmation as your single source of truth.

Service experience differences

The two airports will feel quite different on arrival, beyond just location.

A useful background read before your trip: the technical history and operational details of Tan Son Nhat.

Tân Sơn Nhất sits inside the city. Arrivals immigration can run anywhere from 15 minutes (off-peak) to 90 minutes (early morning long-haul wave). The international arrivals hall is functional but dated, and Wi-Fi is reliable. Currency exchange counters offer rates 2-4% worse than downtown banks; SIM card vendors are abundant. Taxi queues at the official rank can be slow at peak; ride-hail pickup is faster but requires a five-minute walk to the designated zone.

Long Thanh is being designed from the ground up for the next 25 years. Expect modern jet bridges across the board, biometric immigration processing for partner countries (likely cutting standard wait times in half versus SGN), large covered ride-hail and chauffeur pickup areas, and integrated retail and F&B catering to long-haul layovers. Wi-Fi will be standard; charging infrastructure modern. The airport is also designed for accessible travel from day one. This new generation of regional Asian airports has been widely explored in recent travel coverage.

One real consideration: the longer transfer from Long Thanh to District 1 makes scheduling the day of arrival a little tighter. If you have evening reservations on arrival day, build in a 30-minute buffer beyond what you'd plan for Tân Sơn Nhất.

How to plan based on which airport you'll use

The practical implications of each airport are different, and a little planning saves friction.

If you're arriving at Tân Sơn Nhất

• Plan a 25-45 minute transfer to District 1. Tight evening reservations are workable if you land before 4pm.
• Currency exchange in the arrivals hall is fine for the first 24 hours; switch to bank ATMs in town for larger amounts.
• Grab is usually faster than the taxi rank at peak. Walk to the designated ride-hail zone (signposted from arrivals).

If you're arriving at Long Thanh

• Plan a 45-90 minute transfer to District 1. Build a 30-minute buffer if you have any time-sensitive evening plans.
• Book your hotel pickup or private transfer in advance. Grab and Be will operate from day one but with fewer drivers initially.
• If you're connecting to a domestic flight at SGN, factor in the inter-airport transfer (75-90 minutes by coach service).
• For travellers booking luxury hotels in District 1, complimentary transfers from the hotel (terms vary by property and booking channel) are the most reliable option.

For each transfer mode broken down with real prices, journey times by time of day, and what to expect en route, see our Long Thanh to District 1 transfer guide.

The Myst Đồng Khởi for either airport

One advantage of staying at The Myst Đồng Khởi during the two-airport transition is that you have a single point of contact for both Tân Sơn Nhất and Long Thanh. Our reservations team takes airport-pickup requests for either airport and coordinates the transfer on your behalf, no need to distinguish carrier or arrival point. Tân Sơn Nhất takes 25-45 minutes; Long Thanh 60-75 minutes via the CT.01 expressway.

Guests who book directly through our website and stay two nights or more receive a complimentary one-way Tân Sơn Nhất transfer. Long Thanh doesn't yet have a complimentary programme since the airport is still pre-launch; the details will be announced soon. In the meantime, our reservations team can arrange a private chauffeur for any stay length.

Our system tracks your flight in real time, so if your flight is reassigned to the other airport at the last minute, the pickup is adjusted automatically. The driver meets you at the international arrivals hall with a name card.

Frequently asked questions

Arrive smoothly at either Saigon airport

When two airports operate in parallel, having one contact for both takes the planning friction out of the trip. The Myst Đồng Khởi sits in the heritage heart of District 1, and our reservations team coordinates Tân Sơn Nhất and Long Thanh transfers from a single booking confirmation. You share the flight number; if it gets reassigned to the other airport at the last minute, pickup, route, and arrival hospitality adjust on our side. We are inducted in the Michelin Guide Hotels and Stays selection and Country Winner Vietnam at the 2025 World Luxury Hotel Awards.

→ See our rooms and suites

→ Book direct for our best available rate

Crafted by Silverland Hotels.

Vietnam is opening a new flagship airport about an hour east of Saigon. Long Thanh International. First commercial flights are expected late 2026 or early 2027, with a total project cost near USD 16 billion spread over three phases. If you're planning a Ho Chi Minh City trip in the next 12 to 24 months, the questions that actually matter are simple: where is it, when does it open, which airline will land you there, how do you get to District 1, and does any of this change where you should stay? This guide answers each one. Two companion pieces dig further into the side-by-side comparison with Tân Sơn Nhất and the tactical transfer guide to District 1.

What Long Thanh Airport is and when it opens

Long Thanh International Airport (ICAO: VVCS, IATA: LTI) is Vietnam's new flagship gateway, designed to take over the bulk of international long-haul traffic now handled by Tân Sơn Nhất. Phase 1, a single terminal building with one runway, designed for 25 million passengers annually, is in the final commissioning stage as of 2026, with first commercial flights expected between late 2026 and early 2027.

The full project envisions four runways, four terminals, and an eventual capacity of 100 million passengers per year by around 2050, placing it among the largest greenfield airport developments in Southeast Asia. Total investment sits at roughly USD 16 billion across all three phases. You can find a deep dive into the project background and technical specifications in public references.

The build-out plan typically follows three phases:

• Phase 1 (2026-2027): One terminal, one runway, 25 million passengers/year, focus on long-haul international traffic.
• Phase 2 (2030-2032): Second runway and terminal expansion to 50 million passengers/year, adding cargo capacity.
• Phase 3 (2040-2050): Two additional runways and terminals, reaching the full 100 million passenger annual capacity.

One useful note for planners: airport projects of this scale often shift their opening windows by three to six months. Treat any date more than six months out as a reasonable estimate rather than a fixed schedule, and confirm operational status through your airline closer to your travel date.

Where Long Thanh actually sits

The airport occupies a large rural site in Long Thành district of Đồng Nai province, about 45 kilometres east of central Saigon (District 1) as the road runs. It sits closer to coastal Vũng Tàu (around 60 km) than to many other Vietnamese cities, positioning it well for both inbound tourism and connecting traffic through the southern industrial corridor where many global manufacturers have plants. For travellers planning the broader Saigon stay, a wider guide to the cultural landmarks of Ho Chi Minh City covers the cultural landmarks worth knowing about.

For travellers staying in District 1, the heritage commercial heart of Saigon, expect 45 to 75 minutes by car via the HCMC-Long Thành-Dầu Giây Expressway (CT.01), traffic permitting. Peak-hour commuting can push this to 90 minutes; pre-dawn and late-evening transfers run closer to the lower end. For comparison, the current Tân Sơn Nhất to District 1 transfer typically takes 25 to 45 minutes.

Long Thanh vs Tân Sơn Nhất, which airport you'll fly into

This is the question most travellers care about first. The short version: Long Thanh handles long-haul international, Tân Sơn Nhất keeps domestic and regional Asia routes.

Both airports will operate simultaneously during the transition. Long Thanh is being designed as Vietnam's primary long-haul international gateway, while Tân Sơn Nhất sits inside city limits and will keep its role for domestic flights and shorter regional international routes (within Asia). The airline you book determines which airport you arrive at. Check your booking confirmation in the transition window, since some carriers will route the same destination through different airports depending on day or season.

Going deeper: For a full side-by-side breakdown including comparison table, airline allocation logic, and how to plan around each option, see our Long Thanh vs Tân Sơn Nhất guide.

Which airlines will use Long Thanh first

Confirmed Phase 1 operators include Vietnam Airlines, Bamboo Airways and Vietjet for selected long-haul routes. Among foreign carriers, the first to relocate are expected to come from the Star Alliance and Skyteam partnerships. Korean Air, Singapore Airlines, ANA, Cathay Pacific, Qatar Airways and Emirates are likely among the first movers. North American carriers (United, Delta) and Australian operators (Qantas) are expected to follow as Long Thanh's customs and ground handling capacity matures.

The typical route allocation logic looks like this:

• Long-haul intercontinental (Europe, North America, Middle East, Australia) → Long Thanh, where the longer runways and modern arrivals processing are designed for wide-body operations.
• Regional Asia + secondary international (Japan, Korea, Singapore, Bangkok) → either airport during transition, with carriers choosing based on slot availability.
• Domestic (Hanoi, Da Nang, Nha Trang, Phú Quốc) → Tân Sơn Nhất, where the proximity to city centre suits same-day connections.

If you're booking transit through Saigon, for instance arriving on a long-haul carrier and connecting to a Vietnam Airlines domestic flight, you may now have an inter-airport transfer to factor in. Phase 1 will see a coordinated coach service between the two airports for connecting passengers, with journey time of 75-90 minutes.

Getting to District 1 from Long Thanh

The CT.01 expressway is the spine of every realistic transfer option. From the airport, the route runs west via CT.01 to Mai Chí Thọ, then onto the East-West Highway into District 2, crossing the Thủ Thiêm tunnel into central District 1.

Five practical transfer options:

• Private chauffeured car, most reliable, 60 minutes off-peak, 90 minutes at rush hour. USD 50-80 one-way for premium service.
• Hotel airport pickup, four- and five-star properties often include complimentary transfers; specific terms vary by hotel policy and booking channel.
• Grab / Be ride-hail, apps operate at Long Thanh from day one, with fares 25-40% higher than Tân Sơn Nhất route due to distance.
• Airport bus, express service planned with stops at Thủ Đức and District 1, in the VND 80,000-150,000 range.
• Rail link (under construction). The Thủ Thiêm to Long Thanh line broke ground in July 2026, targeted for around 2031. Not an option for trips before then.

The transfer prices mentioned in this overview are estimates based on distance and existing routes from Tan Son Nhat. They aren't final figures. We'll update them once official rates are published after Long Thanh begins commercial operations.

Going deeper: For each transfer mode broken down with real prices, journey times by time of day, and what to expect en route, see our Long Thanh to District 1 transfer guide.

Does Long Thanh change where you should stay?

Short answer: no. The case for staying in District 1, walkable to the Nguyễn Huệ pedestrian street, the Saigon Opera House, the Saigon River and the heritage corridor, is unchanged by where you fly into. The 30-minute additional drive from Long Thanh is a one-time cost on each end of your trip. The cultural, dining and walkable advantages of central Saigon apply for every other waking hour of your stay.

If anything, the longer transfer makes a 24-hour concierge with established transport relationships more valuable, not less. Among luxury hotels in central Saigon, look for properties with proven transfer partnerships, English-fluent reception, and the ability to track flight delays in real time.

One nuance: travellers arriving during peak windows like Tết 2027 should confirm transfer arrangements at booking. Luxury hotel transfer fleets often book out during festival weeks.

The wider tourism impact on Ho Chi Minh City

Long Thanh isn't only a logistics change. The bigger story is capacity. Tân Sơn Nhất has been running at or above its design ceiling for years now. Peak mornings have been the worst, with the slot crunch limiting how many long-haul flights can land in any given window. Long Thanh's Phase 1 alone, with its 25 million passenger capacity, almost doubles the wide-body capacity for the entire southern region.

Three knock-on effects worth tracking:

• Direct flight expansion. Expect new direct routes from secondary North American cities (Seattle, Vancouver) and European hubs (Madrid, Rome) within 12-18 months of full Phase 1 operation, where Tân Sơn Nhất slot constraints had previously made these routes commercially marginal.
• Pricing pressure. Increased seat capacity historically reduces fares on the most contested routes within 18-24 months. Vietnam Airlines and major foreign carriers are positioning for this.
• Visitor profile shift. The combination of more direct flights from long-haul markets and increased capacity makes Saigon a more accessible standalone destination, not just an entry point to Vietnam. Hotels that lean into longer average stays, three to five nights, are well-positioned.

How The Myst Đồng Khởi handles Long Thanh arrivals

Booking a stay at The Myst Đồng Khởi includes airport pickup coordination from the moment your reservation is confirmed. Share your flight number with our reservations team. From there, we coordinate the rest: assigning the driver, timing the pickup, and making sure someone is waiting for you the moment you step into the international arrivals hall.

Guests who book directly through our website and stay two nights or more receive a complimentary one-way Tân Sơn Nhất transfer. Long Thanh doesn't yet have a complimentary programme since the airport is still pre-launch; the details will be announced soon. If you need a Long Thanh pickup in the meantime, our reservations team can arrange a private chauffeur for any stay length.

The drive from Long Thanh to the hotel takes about 60 to 75 minutes by private chauffeur. The driver speaks English fluently and is happy to share more about the route during the ride if you'd like.

Frequently asked questions

Planning a Saigon stay around the new airport era?

The Myst Đồng Khởi is in the heritage heart of District 1, four minutes' walk from the Nguyễn Huệ pedestrian street and five from the Saigon River. Our concierge handles Long Thanh transfers, Tân Sơn Nhất transfers, and everything between airport pickup and check-in, including SIM cards, currency exchange, and your first-evening dining. We are inducted in the Michelin Guide Hotels and Stays selection and Country Winner Vietnam at the 2025 World Luxury Hotel Awards.

→ See our rooms and suites

→ Book direct for our best available rate

Crafted by Silverland Hotels.

Ho Chi Minh City has roughly 80 hotels calling themselves "luxury" right now. Most don't earn the name. This guide doesn't list them. Instead it tells you the things that actually separate a real luxury stay from a five-star price tag, where in the city the gap matters most, and how we'd think about it if we were the ones booking.

What "luxury" really means here

Star ratings in Vietnam are issued by the local tourism authority and have nothing to do with whether a hotel feels luxurious. We have seen five-star plaques on properties where the front desk speaks broken English and the breakfast buffet runs out by 9am. We have also seen four-star boutiques run circles around them.

The honest test is this. Can the concierge get you a same-day table at Anan or Quince? Does someone answer the room phone at 2am? Is the spa run by therapists trained to international protocol, or by whoever the housekeeping manager promoted last month? Has the property earned outside recognition — Michelin Guide Hotels and Stays, World Luxury Hotel Awards, Forbes Travel Guide — that wasn't paid for? If most answers are yes, it's luxury. If they're no, you're paying for a number on a sign.

The Saigon luxury market breaks into three rough shapes. Big international chains with 200+ rooms, brand-consistent service, predictable everything. Heritage boutiques, usually under 150 rooms, design-led, with quirks and character you don't get from a Marriott or a Hilton. And modern riverside resorts, often newer builds with skyline views and pool decks. Your travel style decides which fits, not the star count.

Where to stay if you actually want the city

Location matters more in Saigon than in most cities. The traffic is bad, getting around eats your day, and the cultural heart is geographically small. So where you sleep changes what kind of trip you have.

District 1 is the answer for almost everyone the first time. The Saigon Opera House, the Nguyễn Huệ pedestrian street, the Notre Dame Cathedral, Bến Thành Market — they're all within a 15-minute walk of each other. Hotels here range from grand-format five-stars on Đồng Khởi Street down to intimate boutiques tucked on side streets like Hồ Huấn Nghiệp and Mạc Thị Bưởi. If you only have three or four nights, don't stay anywhere else. District 1 is also the safest base for visitors, with the highest concentration of tourist police and well-lit streets after dark.

District 2 (Thảo Điền) is a different proposition. Expats live here. The pace is slower, the streets greener, the restaurants more international. About 25 minutes by car from District 1, which sounds fine until you're stuck in traffic at 6pm. Good for a second visit when you've already done the museums, or for travellers who hate noise and crowds.

District 7 (Phú Mỹ Hưng) is a planned suburb. Modern, clean, lots of serviced apartments and golf-resort-style hotels. Good for families with kids and long-stay business travellers. Wrong for a four-night culture trip.

Six things to weigh before you book

Once you've shortlisted three or four candidates, run them through this. The wrong question is "is it luxurious enough?" The right question is "luxurious in the ways I care about?"

1. Walk distance to Nguyễn Huệ. Pull up Google Maps. Drop the hotel pin. Measure to Nguyễn Huệ Walking Street. Anything under 10 minutes' walk is gold. Over 20 minutes and you'll Grab everywhere, which is fine but changes the trip.
2. What the concierge actually does. Before booking, email and ask three things: can you book a private heritage walking tour, can you get a same-day table at a hard-to-book restaurant, and what's the airport pickup arrangement. Vague answers are a red flag. Specific ones tell you everything. Some properties offer curated walking tours of District 1 as part of their concierge program.
3. Has someone Vietnamese actually cooked here? Hotel restaurants are too often safe-bet international menus. A real luxury hotel will have at least one F&B outlet that takes Vietnamese cuisine seriously — not just pho for the foreigners but proper, hands-on regional cooking. Check the menu before booking. Cross-reference with the city's broader food map like our Thảo Điền dining guide.
4. Awards you can verify. The Michelin Guide Hotels and Stays list, World Luxury Hotel Awards, Forbes Travel Guide, and Tripadvisor Travelers' Choice are the four worth checking. Awards alone won't make a stay great. But the absence of any external recognition at a luxury price point is a yellow flag.
5. Room actually big enough. Entry-tier luxury in Saigon should give you 30 sqm minimum, a window that opens, ideally a balcony or French doors. Booking sites sometimes hide this. Check the property's own site or ask before paying.
6. How they handle the airport. Tân Sơn Nhất is 25-45 minutes from District 1 depending on traffic. Better hotels include complimentary transfers for stays of three nights or more. The transfer experience tells you a lot — being met at arrivals with your name on a card versus finding the driver yourself sets the tone. For background on the route, see our Tân Sơn Nhất to District 1 guide.

About The Myst Đồng Khởi — because we should be transparent

You're reading this on our website, so we'll be straight with you. We're a 108-room boutique heritage hotel on Hồ Huấn Nghiệp Street. Four minutes' walk to the Nguyễn Huệ pedestrian street. Five to the Saigon River. Inducted into the Michelin Guide Hotels and Stays selection. Won the World Luxury Hotel Awards 2025 Global Winner for Luxury Cultural Hotel and Country Winner for Vietnam. Concierge runs 24 hours.

Not everyone should book us. If you want a Marriott-style branded experience, a poolside kids' club, or a 600-room resort with three restaurants and a casino, we're wrong for you. If you want a smaller hotel, walkable to everything that matters, with afternoon light through tall windows and a concierge who'll remember your name on day two, we might be exactly right. Take a look at our rooms and suites and check us against the six criteria above. If we don't fit, that's useful information too.

How to book without overpaying

Book direct. Almost always. Hotel-direct rates either match or beat what Booking.com and Agoda are showing, and direct bookings come with better cancellation terms, the chance of a complimentary upgrade if rooms are available, and a real person you can email about special requests. Third-party platforms are good for browsing options and comparing prices across cities. They're rarely the better option to actually book.

On timing: November through March is peak. Cool weather, no rain, festival season, prices at their highest. April-May and September-October are shoulder months — same hotels, same service, 15-25% less. Avoid Tết 2027 (early February) only if you want a fully operational city; the holiday itself is one of the most culturally rich moments of the Vietnamese year and worth experiencing once.

Frequently asked questions

Thinking about The Myst Đồng Khởi?

108 boutique rooms, five minutes' walk from the Nguyễn Huệ Flower Street, surrounded by the quietest heritage corner of District 1. Our concierge speaks fluent English and will build your stay around the criteria that matter most to you — a private heritage walk, a signature dining sequence, or simply a room with afternoon light and a balcony.

→ See our rooms and suites

→ Book direct for our best rate

Crafted by Silverland Hotels.