Tan Son Nhat Terminal 3 Opens: What Dental Tourists Need to Know About HCMC's Airport Changes

Ho Chi Minh City’s aviation infrastructure is undergoing its most significant transformation in decades, and dental tourists need to understand the changes before booking flights. The brand-new Terminal 3 at Tan Son Nhat Airport is now operational, absorbing domestic traffic from the aging Terminal 1, while the US$13 billion Long Thanh International Airport begins receiving long-haul international flights from mid-2026. Tan Son Nhat currently handles approximately 29.5 million domestic passengers annually and sits just 7 kilometers from the city center — a critical advantage for dental tourists whose clinics are concentrated in Districts 1, 3, and 10. After 2030, the Airports Corporation of Vietnam plans for Tan Son Nhat to serve domestic traffic only, with Long Thanh absorbing international demand. This guide maps the new terminal assignments, explains the phased international flight transition timeline, details travel times from each airport to dental districts, and gives practical planning tips to avoid arrival surprises during the transition period.

How Is HCMC’s Airport Landscape Changing Fast?

Ho Chi Minh City’s aviation infrastructure is undergoing its most significant transformation in decades. The brand-new Terminal 3 at Tan Son Nhat Airport is now operational for domestic flights, while the massive Long Thanh International Airport — a $13 billion mega-project — begins receiving international flights from mid-2026.

For dental tourists, understanding these changes is essential for smooth trip planning.

What Does the New Terminal Map Look Like?

Here is how HCMC’s airport facilities are being reorganized:

What Is the International Flight Transition Timeline?

The shift from Tan Son Nhat to Long Thanh is happening in phases:

Phase 1: Mid-2026

• Flights to/from Europe, Americas, and Oceania begin moving to Long Thanh
• Vietnam Airlines and Vietjet Air anchor operations at the new airport

Phase 2: Late 2026 – Early 2027

• Routes to/from Africa, Middle East, South Asia, and Central Asia transfer to Long Thanh

Phase 3: Mid-2027

• Northeast Asian flights (Japan, Korea, China) move to Long Thanh

After 2030

• Tan Son Nhat is planned to serve domestic flights only, handling approximately 29.5 million passengers annually

What Does This Mean for Dental Tourists?

Check Your Arrival Airport

Before booking flights, confirm which airport your airline uses:

• From Korea, Japan, China — likely still Tan Son Nhat through early 2027, then Long Thanh
• From Europe, Americas, Australia — may arrive at Long Thanh from mid-2026
• From Southeast Asia (Bangkok, Singapore, KL) — short-haul routes may stay at Tan Son Nhat longer
• Domestic connections — all at Tan Son Nhat Terminal 3

Getting to Dental Clinics

From Tan Son Nhat: Most dental clinics in Districts 1, 3, and 10 are just 20–30 minutes away by taxi or Grab.

From Long Thanh: The new Ho Chi Minh City–Long Thanh Expressway (8–10 lanes, opening late 2026) makes the journey approximately 40–45 minutes under normal conditions. Airport transfer services and shuttle buses will connect to central HCMC.

Planning Tips

• Book airport transfers in advance — especially if arriving at Long Thanh, where services are still scaling up
• Allow extra time for the first few months of the transition, as routes and terminals may change with short notice
• Consider domestic connecting flights — if flying from another Vietnamese city, you will use Tan Son Nhat Terminal 3, which is closer to central HCMC
• Stay connected — download the Vietnam Airlines app for real-time terminal updates

What Is the Better Airport Experience Ahead?

The positive side of this transition is a significantly improved travel experience:

• Terminal 3 is modern, spacious, and designed for efficient passenger flow
• Long Thanh offers world-class facilities including lounges, shopping, and dining
• Reduced congestion at Tan Son Nhat as international traffic shifts out
• Future metro connection — a planned 41.4 km Metro Line extension will eventually link Long Thanh directly to HCMC

For dental tourists, the short-term inconvenience of checking terminal assignments is offset by the long-term benefit of better airports, faster processing, and improved connectivity.