With Tan Son Nhat receiving its 20 millionth passenger of the year on Monday, the airport has reached the target of 20 million passengers per year set for 2016. It last year received more than 17.5 million passengers.

When Dang Vinh Ha, a PetroVietnam official, arrived at Tan Son Nhat International Airport on Monday, he was welcomed with a special ceremony.

Ha, who traveled from Hanoi on the VN231 flight of the national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines (VNA), is the 20 millionth passenger the Ho Chi Minh City-based terminal has received this year.

The lucky passenger was awarded 20 business-class round tickets which he can use for any domestic service offered by VNA.

Tan Son Nhat airport had previously expected to receive more than 20 million passengers per year in 2016, and was pleased to see the target achieved three years early, according to director Dang Tuan Tu.

There are currently 44 airlines offering services, both international and domestic, to and from HCMC.

Tan Son Nhat airport has posted a steady growth of around 15 percent in terms of flight frequency in recent years. It is being upgraded to be capable of serving 25 million passengers per year by 2017.