Tan Son Nhat Airport in Ho Chi Minh City has opened a new two‑lane exit that lets vehicles move directly from the international arrivals area to the domestic terminal, easing a choke point that has long plagued airport traffic.
New two‑lane link eases airport traffic
Previously, cars leaving the international hall were forced onto Truong Son Street after a single‑lane bottleneck, creating backups during peak periods. The old connection, barely four metres wide, was marked “no straight ahead” and was used mostly by airport shuttles.
Airport officials have now removed the restriction and widened the link to two lanes. Road markings, signage and delineator posts have been rearranged to guide drivers toward Terminal T1 without crossing traffic from Truong Son Street.
Police officers were seen directing vehicles on Friday afternoon, pointing drivers toward the newly opened lane. The change also redirects passengers picking up arrivals to a less crowded zone on the left side of Terminal T2, rather than the usual gathering spot near the arrivals exit.
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The connection has been widened to two lanes and remains open to airport service vehicles and public transport.
For commuters, the adjustment matters because the airport sits on a network of busy streets. Reducing the flow onto Truong Son Street can lower spill‑over congestion that reaches nearby intersections, especially during the city’s busiest travel windows.
Holiday traffic expected to rise
During the six‑day National Day holiday from August 28 to September 2, the airport anticipates handling an average of 780 flights per day, up about five percent from the current 740 and 12 percent above last year’s holiday peak.
Peak flight activity is projected for August 28, when domestic departures peak, and September 2, when arrivals are highest, each day seeing roughly 800 movements. Passenger traffic is also set to climb, with an average of about 130,000 travelers per day, a four‑percent increase over the current 125 000 and 16 percent above the 2025 holiday record.
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The highest daily passenger counts are expected on August 29 and September 2, reaching around 135,000 travelers. The surge aligns with the airport’s recent shift of most domestic airlines to Terminal T3, leaving Terminal T1 primarily for Vietjet flights.
Because the new exit shortens the route to the domestic terminal, drivers no longer need to make a U‑turn near Huynh Lan Khanh Street before heading toward Hong Ha Street or Pham Van Dong Boulevard.
Overall, the adjustment reflects a broader effort to streamline airport access as passenger volumes climb. By separating international‑to‑domestic traffic from the main city thoroughfares, the airport hopes to keep congestion localized and maintain smoother flows for both travelers and local commuters.