Where should I go to eat after passing through immigration at Ho Chi Minh Tan Son Nhat Airport?

To eat after passing through immigration at Ho Chi Minh Tan Son Nhat Airport, you should go up to the 3rd floor. The 3rd floor has lounges, a spa, restaurants, and large cafes.

What kind of restaurants are available at the 3rd-floor food court of Ho Chi Minh Tan Son Nhat Airport?

The 3rd-floor food court offers a relatively diverse range of restaurants, including a large cafe, Burger King, a small bakery, pho (Big Bowl), sushi, and noodles. The author ate pho at Big Bowl.

Approximately how much does it cost to eat pho and lychee tea at Big Bowl in Ho Chi Minh Tan Son Nhat Airport?

When ordering pho and lychee tea at Big Bowl in Ho Chi Minh Tan Son Nhat Airport, it cost over ~$14. The author mentioned that the price was expensive.

Where can I get coffee after passing through immigration at Ho Chi Minh Tan Son Nhat Airport?

After passing through immigration, there's a large cafe on the 3rd floor, and a bit further in a secluded corner, there's also PHUC LONG, a specialized tea chain. The author drank coffee for $6.6.

Tan Son Nhat Airport Ho Chi Minh: Dining & Luggage Tips 2026

Tan Son Nhat Airport Ho Chi Minh: Dining & Luggage Tips 2026 | TRVLOGUE

Tan Son Nhat International Airport

Ho Chi Minh Airport Essentials

Despite my frequent visits, it feels like I've never truly dedicated a post to this bustling hub. So, here we are: Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City!

Just like any other international airport,

your journey through begins with check-in, followed by passport control, and then security screening for your baggage.

Though, I must say, the Vietjet check-in line always seems to take an eternity!

Once you've cleared all the formalities and stepped into the departure area,

you'll find duty-free shops.

Immediately to your left are Gates 1-17,

and to your right are the remaining gates.

You'll spot various souvenir shops, perfect for last-minute gifts, and a few spots for a quick bite.

But what if you're craving a proper meal?

Then you'll need to head up to the 3rd floor. That's where you'll find lounges, spas, a wider array of restaurants, and larger cafes.

While there's often a greater variety of food before security, I personally prefer the peace of mind that comes with eating after all the departure procedures are done. It lets me relax and enjoy my meal without rushing.

Sometimes in smaller airports, you might only find cafes offering pastries or sandwiches, with no real dining options.

If you only look around the 2nd floor, you might mistakenly think Ho Chi Minh Airport lacks proper restaurants. But fear not, they're definitely on the 3rd floor!

Signs will direct you to the food court on the 3rd floor. Once you ascend,

you'll find a spacious cafe and a Burger King,

as well as a small bakery and a Vietnamese pho spot.

There's even sushi and noodle options, offering a decent variety for an airport.

For my last meal, I was craving pho, so I headed to Big Bowl.

To be honest, the taste was... acceptable. If a pho from a street-side restaurant is a 'Wow, this is it!', then this was more of a 'Hmm, not bad.' I'd say it's somewhere between a really good instant pho (they've come a long way!) and a proper restaurant dish. It wasn't terrible, just not mind-blowing.

And for dessert, a refreshing lychee tea. I've been hooked on this drink lately – it's delicious! But let me tell you, this meal, including the tea, came out to over ~$14... Ouch, airport prices hit different!

I noticed many Western travelers around me were opting for Burger King, and I'll admit, it was tempting after not having it for ages. But for a final taste of Vietnam, pho was the only way to go.

A coffee would be the perfect finish, but after a restless night, I knew I needed to catch some sleep on the plane. So, I was debating whether to indulge or not!

Oh, and tucked away in a quieter corner, you'll find PHUC LONG. It's a popular local tea chain. Given its slightly secluded spot, it was quite peaceful – good for the staff, I guess! Of course, this was the situation during my visit; pre-COVID, this spot would have been bustling with people too.

There's also a spa here, which, predictably, is quite pricey. I always wondered who actually gets a spa treatment at an airport... turns out, I have! Haha. Not during a leisure trip to Vietnam, but on a business trip in another country when I had absolutely nothing else to do.

As a side note, the official name of Ho Chi Minh Airport is Tan Son Nhat International Airport. While often pronounced 'Tan Son Noot' by foreigners, the Vietnamese pronunciation is closer to 'Ton Sun Nyut'.

Well, I ended up getting that coffee after all! Haha. I figured if I needed sleep, I'd eventually drift off on the plane anyway. (Caffeine tends to hit me pretty hard!)

They give you a number stand, and they'll bring your order to your table. And wow, talk about expensive! This coffee was $6.6.

Here it is! So sweet, but that's typical for Vietnamese coffee. I'll probably wait for the ice to melt a bit before I really dive in, haha.

This covers the essentials for departing from Ho Chi Minh City. If you're arriving or in transit and need luggage storage, I've compiled all the details on where to find it here.

Coffee enjoyed, it was time to head back home.

In summary, once you've cleared security and immigration, the best place for a proper meal at Tan Son Nhat Airport is on the 3rd floor of the departure hall (the gates are on the 2nd floor). While there aren't tons of shopping options, you can find small souvenirs – though honestly, nothing particularly stands out. That wraps up our quick tour of Ho Chi Minh Airport!