Tan Son Nhat Airport Overwhelmed by Thousands of Travelers Heading Home for Tet Holiday

The Lunar New Year, or Tet, is the most significant celebration in Vietnam, but for those traveling through Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City, the festive spirit is being tested by extreme congestion. Starting from the early morning of February 4th (the 25th day of the lunar December), the domestic terminal has been described as 'overwhelmed.' Thousands of passengers have been seen queuing for hours to complete check-in procedures, drop off luggage, and pass through security checkpoints. The waiting areas are completely packed, with many travelers forced to sit on the floor or sleep while waiting for delayed flights. Major carriers like Vietnam Airlines, Vietjet, and Jetstar are facing significant backlogs.

The situation has been exacerbated by severe weather conditions in Northern Vietnam. Thick fog and poor visibility at airports like Noi Bai, Cat Bi, and Vinh have led to a ripple effect of delays across the country. Many passengers reported waiting between 3 to 6 hours at Tan Son Nhat as aircraft were unable to arrive on schedule. Beyond the terminal, the traffic situation is equally dire. Key access roads such as Cong Hoa, Truong Son, and Tran Quoc Hoan are experiencing massive gridlock. The high volume of vehicles, combined with ongoing construction for the new T3 terminal link, has turned a short commute into a multi-hour ordeal. Authorities estimate that during this peak period, the airport will handle up to 900 flights and 140,000 passengers daily. To mitigate the pressure, airlines have added 'wet-leased' aircraft to increase capacity, but the sheer volume of travelers continues to push the infrastructure to its limits. Travelers are advised to arrive at least three hours before their flights and monitor traffic reports closely to avoid missing their departures during this hectic holiday season.

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