Flights Los Angeles (LAX) - Ho Chi Minh City (SGN) with Asiana Airlines depart from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) so referred to as LAX. Los Angeles Airport (LAX) is ranked as the world's fourth-busiest and the United States' second-busiest airport. The airport serves as a hub for more passenger airlines than any other airport in the United States and is a major gateway to Latin America and Asia. The airport is currently in the middle of a multibillion-dollar modernization program.
The destination airport in Ho Chi Minh City is officially named Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN). The airport code is derived from the city's former name: Saigon. Although Ho Chi Minh City is not the country's capital city, the city's airport is by far the busiest in Vietnam - even though it's relatively small. The airport currently operates from two terminal buildings: terminal two is the international terminal and was newly opened in 2007.
Flights Los Angeles (LAX) - Ho Chi Minh City (SGN) with Asiana Airlines cover a distance of 8,169 miles. Direct flights are not available - flights with Asiana Airlines include a stop-over at Incheon International Airport (ICN) in South Korea. Asiana Airlines operates one or two flights a day from Los Angeles (LAX) to Seoul (ICN), where connecting flights to Ho Chi Minh City (SGN) are available. The typical flight duration is around 21 hours.
Asiana Airlines is South Korea's second-largest airline. It's headquartered in Seoul and has its international hub at Incheon International Airport (ICN), from where it operates 90 international passenger routes. The airline is a member of Star Alliance and is rated as a five-star airline by Skytrax.
To get from the city to Los Angeles Airport (LAX) by public transport, travelers can use the Metro Rail system. Public buses from Los Angeles City and surroundings also serve the airport. For travelers using travel apps, a new system called Lax-it has recently been introduced. There is now a designated pick-up and drop-off spot for Uber, Lyft, and Opoli cars, which is connected to the airport by a shuttle bus. Parking lots are available at and nearby the airport.
The easiest way to get from Ho Chi Minh City Airport (SGN) to the city is to take a taxi. The airport is located just four miles out of town, which makes for a short taxi ride. One option is to head for the taxi queue next to the main exit of the terminal building and hop on a metered taxi. Another option is to get a prepaid taxi voucher at the terminal building. The most respected taxi companies are Mai Linh and Vinasun. A local bus is available as well and departs from across the street outside the terminal building.
Car rental services are available at the airport - but most visitors decide against it because of the city's chaotic traffic. During your stay in Ho Chi Minh City, taxis, motorcycle taxis, and public buses are your best bet for getting around.
US citizens traveling to Vietnam need to arrange a visa upfront. The easiest and most popular way to obtain a visa is to apply for a visa on arrival through an online agent. After receiving a visa approval letter, the visa can be picked up at the airport in Vietnam.
Ho Chi Minh City (SGN) is 15 hours ahead of Los Angeles (LAX). The local currency is the Vietnamese Dong: one USD currently equals roughly 23,000 Dong. The country's official language is Vietnamese. Ho Chi Minh City has a tropical savanna climate with stable high temperatures year-round and distinct wet and dry seasons. The wet season lasts from May to November, while the dry season lasts from December to April.
In general, Vietnamese culture values humility, restraint, and modesty. Showing off wealth is considered impolite, public displays of affection are best avoided, and conservative dress is appropriate. The Vietnam War - and politics in general - are sensitive subjects.
Ho Chi Minh City's most famous attractions are sprinkled around District 1 and can be taken in during a self-guided walking tour. Important landmarks include the Reunification Palace, Notre Dame Cathedral, Central Post Office, Saigon Opera House, and Jade Emperor Pagoda.
A visit to one of the city's markets provides a great opportunity to get a taste of local life - head for the famous Ben Thanh Market or Chinatown's Ninh Tay Market. Expect to find anything produced in Vietnam: clothes, food, snacks, cooking utensils, nuts, spices, and tools are all on offer.
Street food is a major part of Vietnamese culture - and Ho Chi Minh City offers just about every dish from every corner of the country. Street food stalls can be found on every corner: just pull up a (tiny) plastic chair, try whatever you see, and enjoy!
BudgetAir finds the flight from Los Angeles to Ho Chi Minh City that's right for you. BudgetAir compares hundreds of flights from a range of airlines, regular and low cost carriers, from the United States (United Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines) and abroad (AerLingus, British Airways, Air France, KLM, Etihad Airways, Emirates, Air Canada, Lufthansa, Turkish Airlines, and more).