Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City started to be packed with returnees on Saturday following the 2025 Lunar New Year holiday, or Tet, with taxi and ride-hailing services being expected to increase to meet the rising demand.

The airport on Saturday, or the fourth day of the Year of the Snake, reported a noticeable difference in passenger traffic, with a significant uptick in arrivals compared to departures, showing that visitors are returning to Ho Chi Minh City and some southern provinces after Tet.

On the same day, the airport served 945 flights, including 860 passenger flights. 

It was estimated that more than 146,300 people traveled through the airport, marking one of the peak travel days following Tet.

To meet the high demand, domestic flights to Ho Chi Minh City have been adjusted up sharply. 

During peak hours, the airport is seeing as many as 50 flights per hour, averaging one takeoff or landing every minute. 

The busiest times of the day were between 9:00 - 10:00 am, 11:00 am - 12:00 pm, 2:00 - 3:00 pm, and 4:00 - 5:00 pm.

Aviation experts note that many passengers are returning early in order to prepare for work starting the following week.

Passengers at Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City on February 1, or the fourth day of the 2025 Lunar New Year. Photo: C. Linh / Tuoi Tre

“I brought my daughter to the city early on the fourth day of the Lunar New Year and will rest for a day. Then, I will return to work on Monday next week, or the sixth day of the lunar year,” said Minh Nguyet, who works at a maritime transport company in District 1.

“I booked an early flight to avoid the crowds and have some time to organize my work before getting back into the routine,” she shared.

With the continued influx of passengers into Ho Chi Minh City on the fourth day of Tet, Tan Son Nhat International Airport is expected to experience more peak days on Sunday and Monday, or the fifth and sixth days of the 2025 lunar year.

Local airlines have already added more staff and increased flight frequencies to ensure smooth travel for passengers.

Additionally, taxi and ride-hailing companies have been instructed to increase the number of cabs by 25 percent compared to the original registration, to alleviate the shortage of available transportation options and ensure travelers can get to their destinations without delay.

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