First commercial flight departs from newly opened terminal at Tan Son Nhat International Airport

Vietnam Airlines flight VN1286, that took off on the morning of April 17 from Tan Son Nhat international airport in Ho Chi Minh City to Van Don (Quang Ninh province), was marked as the first commercial flight served at the newly inaugurated Terminal T3 of the airport.

Operated by an Airbus A321 with 105 passengers on board, the flight landed at Van Don airport after nearly two hours from taking off.

A representative from Vietnam Airlines stated that the carrier will continue to gradually shift its domestic flights to Terminal T3.

The airline plans to operate check-in counters numbered 56 to 109 at the new terminal, along with 22 self-service check-in kiosks, aimed at helping passengers save time and enhance their autonomy in the travel process.

To ensure a smooth journey, passengers are advised to carefully check the departure terminal information printed on their tickets, familiarize themselves with the layout of Terminal T3, arrive at the airport at least two hours prior to departure, and prioritize using online check-in options through the airline’s website, mobile app, or kiosks at the terminal.

With a contemporary design and advanced aviation technologies, complemented by an integrated network of roads and overpasses, Terminal T3 is expected to serve 20 million passengers annually.

The terminal spans a total floor area of 112,500 sqm, comprising one basement and four above-ground floors, scientifically designed to accommodate 90 traditional check-in counters, 20 automated baggage drop stations, and 42 self-check-in kiosks.

The launch of Terminal T3 not only enhances the quality of Vietnam Airlines' services and the overall passenger experience through the use of advanced aviation technology but also contributes to gradually transforming Tan Son Nhat into a key aviation hub in the Asia-Pacific region.

Earlier, the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam issued directives concerning the transition of domestic flights to Terminal T3 at Tan Son Nhat International Airport.

In particular, the authority requested Vietnam Airlines and Vietjet Air to strengthen communication efforts to inform passengers via their websites and other appropriate media; to coordinate closely with Tan Son Nhat Airport and ground service providers to ensure a seamless transition and minimize inconvenience to travelers; to develop support policies for passengers who may miss their flights due to terminal confusion; and to deploy staff to assist passengers, especially the elderly, women, and children.

Tan Son Nhat International Airport has been tasked with taking the lead in coordinating with relevant agencies and service providers to implement the transition smoothly, ensuring convenience for both passengers and airlines.

On April 16 and 17, at the domestic Terminal T1 of Noi Bai Airport and the newly opened Terminal T3 at Tan Son Nhat, Vietnam Airlines also partnered with the Department of Administrative Management of Social Order (C06) under the Ministry of Public Security and Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV) to successfully pilot an integrated check-in procedure using the VNeID app.

The system met all security and safety requirements and is now ready for widespread implementation once approved by the relevant authorities.

The “Aviation Services” feature integrated within the VNeID application allows users with Level-2 digital ID accounts to conduct various procedures such as ticket booking, check-in, security screening, and boarding using contactless facial recognition. Full biometric verification significantly shortens waiting times, especially during holiday travel peaks, thereby improving the passenger experience and streamlining airport operations.