HCM City’s Tan Son Nhat International Airport authorities have advised passengers to arrive at the airport three hours before flight departure in the run-up to the Tet (Lunar New Year) period to avoid traffic jams and delays at check-in.

Huge crowd at Tan Son Nhat International Airport during last Lunar New Year

Due to the considerable increase in flights and passengers during the Tet holiday, which is from January 27 to February 1, the airport also suggested limiting the number of people coming to the airport to pick or see off passengers.

Drivers are not allowed to stop their vehicles for more than three minutes in front of the airport’s terminals to avoid traffic congestion. If they want to stop longer, they must park vehicles at the airport’s parking area.

Passengers are also advised to do self check-in via web, mobile or check-in kiosks located near domestic terminal gates 1 and 2, besides checking in at counters.

Although Tet falls in late January, people often start flying back to their hometowns days or even weeks earlier.

Vietnam’s Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam has approved an increase in the number of domestic flights proposed by local airlines by 1,270 across the country during this period to meet the rise in travellers. As such, Vietnam Airlines will have 380 additional flights, Vietjet Air 560 and Jetstar Pacific 330.

Tan Son Nhat Airport, the biggest in the country, is expected to serve 1,065 flights during this peak time, with up to 807 flights per day, 81 more than the same period last year.