Road to Terminal T3, Tan Son Nhat Airport: Unfamiliar, easy to get lost

Small, hard-to-see signs

After a trial period, Tan Son Nhat International Airport will transfer all domestic flights of Vietnam Airlines from Terminal T1 to Terminal T3. Airlines such as VietJet Air, Pacific Airlines, Vasco, Vietravel Airlines, Bamboo Airways and flights operated by Vietnam Airlines ATR72 aircraft for routes to Con Dao (VCS), Ca Mau (CAH) and Rach Gia (VKG) will continue to operate at Terminal T1. However, this transition has caused many passengers difficulties and confusion.

Many motorbikes had to turn around after discovering a no entry sign in front of the T3 terminal entrance.

Recently, Ms. Nguyen Thi Luot almost missed her flight from Ho Chi Minh City to Da Nang because she mistakenly thought that Vietnam Airlines had transferred all domestic flights to Terminal T3, so she went to Terminal T3 to check in. When she entered the security checkpoint, the staff announced that the Da Nang flight departed from Terminal T1. "Luckily, my child was still at Terminal T3 at that time, so she drove me back to Terminal T1 to catch my flight on time," Ms. Luot said. An airport security guard said that recently, it has been common for passengers to get lost between terminals, having to frantically drag their suitcases around to get to the terminal where their flight was to check in.

On May 16, SGGP reporters observed at Tan Son Nhat airport terminals that the signs in the transfer areas, bus pick-up areas, and terminal entrances were quite small and difficult to see. In particular, the signs indicating the domestic and international terminals were not clear, causing confusion. Many passengers commented that, until now, they still did not know whether T3 terminal was for international or domestic. Mr. Hoang Tien Hung (residing in Go Vap district) added that passengers arriving at T3 terminal felt like they were lost in a "maze" of signs. The signs in the parking areas, walkways, and parking lots were too small, causing difficulties for passengers arriving at the airport for the first time, especially since Ho Chi Minh City is in the rainy season, so it will be more difficult to identify.

Run around because of the sign

According to the reporter's records, from 18E Street to T3 Station, there are 3 signs (no left turn, no motorbikes going straight, and a sign stating "entrance to T3 Station, no 2- and 3-wheeled vehicles allowed to enter") placed close to the sidewalk, making it difficult to observe. According to the drivers' feedback, many motorbike drivers were very confused when looking at the 3 signs, because "going forward is prohibited, turning left is not allowed, turning back is also illegal (?). Cars from 18E Street or the section connecting Tran Quoc Hoan - Cong Hoa Street, if not turning into the station, are forced to turn around at the foot of the overpass. Because the sign is placed too close to the intersection, if not paying attention to the no turn sign, they will turn wrong or violate traffic laws.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Chi, a resident of Tan Binh District, shared that due to not understanding the new regulations, she accidentally entered a road where motorbikes were prohibited and was reminded, forcing her to turn back towards Cong Hoa or go through the overpass to avoid violating the rule. “The ban on motorbikes in some areas around Terminal T3 has forced many people to drive around or go through the overpasses, causing more traffic pressure on main roads such as Cong Hoa, Hoang Hoa Tham, and 18E,” Ms. Chi commented.

To support passengers moving between terminals, Tan Son Nhat International Airport organizes shuttle bus routes, however, the frequency between trips is about 20 minutes, so it does not meet the needs of passengers. That is the reason why, in the early days, many passengers had to hurriedly drag their luggage and walk 300-500m from the transfer points for fear of missing their flights.

Speaking to SGGP reporters, a representative of Tan Son Nhat International Airport said that in the past few days, the traffic police have focused on instructing and reminding people to ensure safety and go to the right terminal. The airport has proposed adjusting the sign system and traffic flow to make it easier for people to enter T3 terminal.

The port will also coordinate with relevant agencies to monitor and continue to install more clear, larger, and easier-to-see signs, clearly distinguishing domestic and international terminals to avoid confusion for passengers; adjust and increase the number of shuttle buses, expand connecting routes, especially direct routes, reduce travel time, and reduce the situation where passengers have to walk long distances. The HCMC Department of Transport will coordinate with the traffic police to adjust traffic lights and open more suitable turning directions, especially at intersections near the station, to reduce congestion during rush hours.

According to a representative of Vietnam Airlines, when switching to operating at Terminal T3, the airline will increase staff, notify and guide passengers, especially during peak hours or when there are changes to the entrance and departure gates. Passengers should pay attention to official announcements from the airline and airport to update the latest information on check-in points and boarding gates. Vietnam Airlines will coordinate closely to ensure the transition is smooth, safe and most convenient for passengers.

Why did subsidence occur near the T3 terminal gate?

Regarding the subsidence points on the sidewalk of Road 18E, near the exit gate of Terminal T3 of Tan Son Nhat Airport, the Management Board of Investment and Construction of Traffic Works of Ho Chi Minh City (Traffic Board, the investor of the Tran Quoc Hoan - Cong Hoa connecting road construction project) said that the cause of the subsidence was due to the construction of the road excavation to handle the blockage of the power supply pipes and the installation of equipment of Tan Binh Electricity Company. When the weather was heavy, the ground temporarily subsided, causing the sidewalk tiles to peel off, causing a subsidence of about 30cm deep. The investor requested the construction unit to remove the tiles, reinforce the ground underneath and re-pave according to the design; conduct a review of the entire route to promptly detect and handle points with similar risks, ensuring safety for pedestrians and traffic in the area.

QUOC HUNG

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/duong-vao-nha-ga-t3-san-bay-tan-son-nhat-chua-quen-de-bi-lac-post795589.html