Are we accepting 3-hour delays at Tan Son Nhat airport as a norm ?

I’m not surprised that Tan Son Nhat and Noi Bai are among the worst airports in the world — I’m so used to their flight delays.

Born and raised in the north and now working in Ho Chi Minh City, traveling between the two has become second nature to me. On average, I fly 10-15 times a year, mostly between Tan Son Nhat and Noi Bai airports. I thought I knew all the procedures and every corner of these airports, but the more I travel, the more I realize: familiarity does not mean it is not tiring.

Last time, my flight from Tan Son Nhat was delayed for nearly three hours.

When I later read the news in July that Tan Son Nhat and Noi Bai were ranked among the worst airports globally by AirHelp, a global leader in flight compensation services, I felt sad but not surprised. Tan Son Nhat ranked 248th out of 250 — almost the lowest in the world — while Noi Bai ranked 242nd. Having experienced the services of both airports firsthand, I can understand why this ranking is justified.

Tan Son Nhat is often overloaded, especially during holidays. On one occasion, I had to wait 40 minutes in line to get through security, while the flight announcements continued to change departure times. Delays seem to be the « new normal » here, and passengers are left to accept the inconvenience. Reports indicate that only 61% of flights from Tan Son Nhat depart on time, and I’ve often been part of the other 39%.

Noi Bai is a bit more pleasant, and I appreciate the improvements in recent years: clearer electronic boards, a modern-looking Terminal T2, and a spacious layout. But it is still not as convenient as its reputation suggests. I once got lost in the terminal due to poor signage, and when I asked staff for help, they told me to ask someone else.

Flight delays also occur frequently, especially during peak times.

I don’t deny that both airports are struggling to keep up with the rapid growth of Vietnam’s aviation and tourism industries. The number of passengers has surged, while infrastructure and human resources have not been able to keep pace, resulting in overloads, delays, and inconsistent service. However, when the two largest aviation hubs in the country are ranked so low internationally, it’s time we face reality and take stronger action.

Airports are the first and last impression visitors have of Vietnam. I have witnessed a foreign student in tears because of a flight delay caused by slow procedures at Tan Son Nhat, and I cannot help but feel regretful. We can be proud of our beautiful nature, delicious cuisine, and friendly people, but if the airport experience is unpleasant, it can tarnish that image before it even begins.

I have flown through airports like Changi (Singapore), Incheon (Korea), and Doha (Qatar) — places that wowed me because their services felt like stepping into a high-end shopping mall. I don’t expect Tan Son Nhat or Noi Bai to become Changi overnight, but I hope that passengers can notice a tangible difference each time they step into our country’s largest airports.

I hope that soon, going through Vietnamese airports will no longer feel like an obstacle course or a test of patience and endurance.

By Phuong Anh Do – VnExpress.net – September 17, 2025