Transiting to PQC via SGN

[risaka]

When heading to Phu Quoc from an international flight, does anyone have experience in transiting in SGN? I know that it’s visa free for those who arrive in PQC as well as those who transit via SGN. I’m would like to know the practicality how does that work where one has checked luggage? Does the luggage get tagged through to PQC or does it need to be picked up after clearing customs meaning that a Visa is required?

Any insights in this would very be much appreciated appreciated

 

[Quickstatus]

Visa is required if you are transiting via the mainland.
It is only visa free if you fly directly there and not touch the mainland at all during your stay.

The visa exemption is only for 30 days and you must have an exit airline ticket in place.

 

[aikman]

This Vietjet page suggests a transit without visa could be possible by "contact Vietjet staff for assistance with immigration declaration". Personally I wouldn't risk it but I assume this is why OP is asking for advice from someone with first hand experience.

 

[There'sOnlyOneJimmy]

If you’re coming into SGN international airport T2, and then heading to PQC from either T1 or the new(ish) T3, then I expect that you’ll need a Visa to clear immigration on arrival, then collect your luggage & clear customs, then go to the domestic terminal.

Link to evisa website: https://evisa.gov.vn/

 

[Quickstatus]

Per @aikman ,this one also suggests no visa required if transiting via these airports. Tan Son Nhat is SGN

However, the passenger cannot exit the transit area which means they cant collect their luggage.
This would mean the luggage would have to be checked through to Phu Quoc despite the link by VietJet unless VietJet has some kind of arrangement with Vietnam immigration.

For the sake of USD$25 I would still get an e-Visa. Who knows, even if it is possible, any delays or cancellations might require the passenger to enter the mainland for a hotel stay.

 

[There'sOnlyOneJimmy]

I think that the key phrase there is “… do not step outside the transit area…”.
I expect that the international flight into HCMC will be into SGN Terminal 2.
If that’s correct, then the only way (that I know…) to stay inside the transit area would be if the connecting flight to PQC is also departing from SGN Terminal 2.
A quick check of SkyScanner suggests that VietJet uses T1, and Vietnam Air & Sun PhuQuoc Air use T3.
In the absence of explicit confirmation of visa free movement from a relevant authority, I think that I’d be more comfortable holding an evisa…

 

[risaka]

Thanks for the responses. Agree that the Visa route does sound like a safer option.

 

[anat0l]

I'm in PQC right now (actually leaving today), but I flew directly from outside Vietnam and am similarly departing.

My understanding was that a domestic flight requires clearing immigration at the point of arrival in the country. Of course, SGN-PQC would be a domestic flight.

I don't know a lot of countries where you can transit to domestic without immigration at the point of entering the country. I know Thailand is somewhat an exception, though it really isn't: your bags might be routed directly to your final destination without needing to claim them, but in the transit channel back to the relevant terminal you must clear immigration (at which point I imagine you need to present a visa if applicable). At the final destination, you are directed to a separated baggage reclaim (as if you arrived on an international flight) which is where you also pass customs.

EDIT: Interesting - just read Vietnam visa rules from an airline website which just rips the info from Timatic, and it says that transit via either SGN or HAN to PQC is acceptable without a visa, but the booking must be one ticket, flights on the same day and airline staff must escort passengers during the entire transit process (i.e. until they are airside for the domestic flight). Nothing said about the other way around (viz. departing PQC).

 

[Quickstatus]

airline staff must escort passengers

Ok thank, thats how they get around the baggage pickup issue.

Why not just require an E-Visa. Makes it easier for everyone.
Though Vietnam has some interesting practices - like being able to buy express immigration service.

On the subject of Phu Quoc - can you recommend overall , any specific recommendations and how many days do you think.?

 

[anat0l]

Why not just require an E-Visa. Makes it easier for everyone.
Though Vietnam has some interesting practices - like being able to buy express immigration service.

Even eVisas take a minimum of 3 business days. Sure, nearly everyone would be prudent to ensure they applied for a visa well in advance of travel, but if you're like me and decide to travel suddenly, getting a visa on short notice (particularly iver a weekend) can be near impossible.

Yes, some people have applied for eVisas and got them back faster, sometimes in hours. Yes, there are legitimate services you can pay a fee to expedite your visa. I paid for such a service via the tour company that I booked a Vietnam tour through (this was in 2024).

I'm guessing Phu Quoc, being an island and maybe somewhere that the Vietnamese government may be interested into turning into a coughet or Bali or the like (read: tourist mecca, additionally read into how sinister that is as you please), so having easier entry procedures makes things immediately more palatable for tourists. A large Vietnamese conglomerate has quite a bit of interest for tourism on the island (including owning an airline and probably paying for part of the airport), so no doubt they would probably lobby the government for easier entry for tourists.

On the subject of Phu Quoc - can you recommend overall , any specific recommendations and how many days do you think.?

I was here for four full days. That could be enough if you keep things fairly full on each day, but you could easily take your time and just chill... and now you're talking about a week.

They say the best times to go are the dry season, cf. the monsoon, which typically is May to October (I believe). April is a shoulder month between the seasons; doesn't seem as tourist crazy right now, so can't imagine what this place would be like in say December to March.

Starfish Beach and Sunset Town (along with the Cable Car) were highlights for me. Enjoy the fresh seafood here, too.