한국어로 읽기

South Korean low-cost carrier Jin Air will inaugurate daily nonstop scheduled flights connecting Seoul Incheon (ICN) and Ho Chi Minh City (SGN), Vietnam, starting Thursday, December 24, 2026 (Christmas Eve). This represents Jin Air’s fourth scheduled route to Vietnam, following Da Nang, Nha Trang, and Phu Quoc, expanding its footprint from coastal resort destinations to Vietnam’s bustling commercial metropolis and southern tourism gateway. Operating on an overnight schedule suited for corporate professionals departing after work, the service will be flown with 189-seat Boeing 737-800 aircraft. To mark the launch, Jin Air has rolled out a promotional event offering a 20% fare discount using an online promo code. Jin Air Official Portal Announcement

Night skyline of downtown Ho Chi Minh City along the Saigon River featuring Landmark 81
Panoramic night view of downtown Ho Chi Minh City and Landmark 81 across the Saigon River. Starting December 24, Jin Air will operate daily nonstop flights connecting business travelers and vacationers to southern Vietnam. Photo: Radek Kucharski / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 2.0

Incheon–Ho Chi Minh City Flight Schedule and Fleet Deployment

The route operates on an overnight schedule connecting Incheon International Airport Terminal 2 (T2) with Tan Son Nhat International Airport Terminal 2 (SGN).

  • Outbound Flight: Departs Incheon daily at 21:30 and touches down in Ho Chi Minh City at 01:15 (+1 day) local time (flight duration: approx. 5 hours 45 minutes). The late evening departure allows travelers to fly after normal business hours without using an additional day of annual leave.
  • Inbound Flight: Departs Ho Chi Minh City at 02:15 local time and lands in Incheon at 09:15 (flight duration: approx. 5 hours). Passengers return on Monday morning in time to transition directly back to daily routines.
  • Promotion Code: Entering promo code HOCHIMINH during booking on Jin Air’s official website provides a 20% discount on flight fares for travel between December 24, 2026, and March 27, 2027.
Category Jin Air (New Route) Incumbent Legacy FSCs Foreign LCCs (VietJet Air)
Frequencies 7x weekly (Daily) 7x to 14x weekly (Daily) 7x to 14x weekly (Daily)
Aircraft Deployed Boeing 737-800 (189 seats, single class) Airbus A350 / Boeing 777 / 787 Airbus A321 / A330
Incheon Departure Dep ICN 21:30 ➔ Arr SGN 01:15(+1) Morning (08:00–10:00) & Evening (18:00–19:00) Morning (11:00) & Night (20:00)
Ho Chi Minh Departure Dep SGN 02:15 ➔ Arr ICN 09:15 Midday (12:00–13:00) & Overnight (23:00–00:00) Overnight (02:00) & Midday (13:00)
Flight Duration Outbound ~5h 45m / Inbound ~5h 00m Approx. 5h 30m Approx. 5h 30m
Checked Baggage 15 kg (1 piece) complimentary included 23 kg (1 piece) on economy Not included on basic fares (extra fee)
Jin Air Boeing 737-800 HL8013 aircraft taking off from airport runway
Jin Air Boeing 737-800 (HL8013) operating international flights. Unlike many budget carriers, Jin Air includes 15 kg of complimentary checked luggage in its standard fares. Photo: 4300streetcar / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 4.0

Late-Night Arrival Logistics and Airport Transit at Tan Son Nhat (SGN)

Arriving at Tan Son Nhat Airport at 01:15 AM requires advance preparation for immigration, transport, and hotel check-in.

  1. Immigration Clearance and Luggage Collection:
    • Multiple regional flights from East Asia arrive in the late evening, leading to potential queues at border control. Proceed directly to the immigration hall upon disembarking.
    • South Korean passport holders are entitled to visa-free entry for up to 45 days for tourism or business. Travelers must carry proof of onward or return flight reservations.
  2. Ride-Hailing (Grab) Pickup Points:
    • Avoid unlicensed soliciting drivers near the arrival curb. Utilize the Grab ride-hailing app linked to an international payment card.
    • Cross the pedestrian zebra crossing outside International Arrivals (T2) to access designated ride-hailing pickup lanes or the multi-story car park pickup zone.
    • A nighttime trip to District 1 (Ben Thanh Market, Le Thanh Ton, Dong Khoi) takes 25 to 35 minutes, costing roughly 120,000 to 170,000 VND (approx. 5 to 7 USD / 6,500 to 9,500 KRW). An airport toll of 10,000 VND is added separately.
  3. Advance Notice for Late Hotel Check-in:
    • Guests reach downtown hotels between 02:30 and 03:00 AM. Always contact the property in advance via email or the booking portal to notify them of your late check-in to prevent your reservation from being treated as a no-show.
Exterior view of Tan Son Nhat International Airport Terminal 2 in Ho Chi Minh City
International Terminal (T2) at Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN) in Ho Chi Minh City. As Vietnam's busiest commercial aviation hub, late-night exchange booths and SIM/eSIM counters remain operational for arriving passengers. Photo: Hwi.padam / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0

Travel Strategies for Ho Chi Minh City and Southern Vietnam

A direct flight into Ho Chi Minh City opens access to historic French colonial heritage sites as well as surrounding regional getaways.

  • District 1 Cultural Landmarks:
    • Visit the French-colonial Saigon Central Post Office, designed with iconic ironwork arches, alongside the neo-Romanesque Notre-Dame Cathedral of Saigon and the vibrant pink-facade Tan Dinh Church.
    • Enjoy traditional Vietnamese iced milk coffee (Ca Phe Sua Da) inside the creative 9-story Cafe Apartments along the Nguyen Hue walking promenade.
  • Multi-Day Regional Excursions:
    • Mui Ne: Travel approximately 2.5 to 3 hours via highway limousine bus to experience sunrise jeep safaris across the Red and White Sand Dunes.
    • Vung Tau: Board a high-speed hydrofoil ferry from downtown Saigon port to reach the coastal beaches of Vung Tau in approximately 1 hour 40 minutes.
    • Mekong Delta Tours: Book a day-trip boat excursion through the waterways, fruit orchards, and floating markets of My Tho and Ben Tre.
Exterior facade of the historic Saigon Central Post Office building in Ho Chi Minh City
The historic Saigon Central Post Office in central District 1. Built in the late 19th century, it remains one of Ho Chi Minh City's most recognizable cultural landmarks. Photo: Suicasmo / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0

Essential Pre-Departure Traveler Checklist

Review these operational points before traveling on Jin Air’s Ho Chi Minh City flight:

  1. Incheon Terminal 2 (T2) Departure Check:
    • Jin Air operates out of Incheon International Airport Terminal 2 (T2). Ensure you disembark at the T2 station on the AREX Airport Railroad, as transferring between terminals takes 15 to 20 minutes by shuttle bus.
  2. Complimentary 15 kg Checked Baggage Allowance:
    • Standard fares include 15 kg of free checked luggage. Golf travelers may combine one golf bag and one standard suitcase within the 15 kg limit free of charge. Excess weight should be purchased online in advance.
  3. Six-Month Passport Validity Requirement:
    • Passports must have at least six months of remaining validity from the date of entry into Vietnam. Check that pages are intact without tears or stray marks to prevent boarding denial.
  4. Local Currency and Payment Preparation:
    • Credit card transactions at local Vietnamese shops may incur 2–3% surcharges, while smaller stalls accept only cash. Carry international prepaid cards (TravelLog, TravelWallet) or pristine 50,000 KRW / 100 USD banknotes to exchange into Vietnamese Dong (VND) at official booths near Ben Thanh Market.

Official Sources and Verification Date

Verified Date: November 4, 2026. This article was cross-verified using route announcements from Jin Air, flight schedule filings on the Aviation Portal System (Airportal) under the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT), and terminal operating guidelines from the Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV).

← Back to list