San Francisco to Ho Chi Minh City (SFO–SGN) — Airlines, Schedules & Connections
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No nonstop flights on this route. connecting options below.
SFO–SGN is served by 1 airline with nonstop service. Vietnam Airlines leads the route. The flight covers 7,829 miles in approximately 15h 40m. Beyond nonstop, 27 hubs offer 1-stop connections.
Airline Landscape
| Airline | Freq/wk | Aircraft | Duration | Dep OTP | Alliance | Codeshares |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VN Vietnam Airlines | 4 | 359 | 15h40 | SkyTeam | – |
Weekly Schedule Pattern
Connection Landscape
Travel Essentials
SFO: PDT · SGN: +07
When it's 6:00 PM in San Francisco, it's 8:00 AM (next day) in Ho Chi Minh City.
US passport holders need a visa to enter Vietnam. The e-visa is the standard option, applied for at evisa.gov.vn. A single-entry e-visa costs $25 and a multiple-entry e-visa costs $50, both valid for up to 90 days. Processing takes 3 to 5 working days. Upload a passport data page scan and a 4x6cm photo with a white background. Passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the date of entry with at least 2 blank pages. Any mismatch between the e-visa application and passport details, including minor typos or missing middle names, can result in denied boarding or entry.
Vietnam also offers visa on arrival at major airports, but this requires a pre-approved invitation letter arranged through a Vietnamese travel agency before departure. The e-visa is simpler and accepted at all 13 international airports, 16 land border gates, and 13 seaports. At Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN) in Ho Chi Minh City or Noi Bai International Airport (HAN) in Hanoi, proceed to the e-visa immigration lane with your printed approval. The 90-day stay can be extended once at the Vietnam Immigration Department for a fee.
Vietnam Airlines operates nonstop flights from San Francisco (SFO) to Ho Chi Minh City, about 15 hours 40 minutes on an Airbus A350, running 3 to 4 times per week. United Airlines launched nonstop service from San Francisco and Los Angeles to both Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi in late 2025. From the US East Coast, connect through Tokyo (about 5 hours 30 minutes to SGN), Seoul (about 5 hours to SGN), or Taipei (about 3 hours 30 minutes). Vietnam uses the Vietnamese dong (VND), trading at roughly 26,250 VND per $1. Card payments work at hotels and larger restaurants. Grab is the dominant ride-hailing app. A bowl of pho at a street stall costs VND 40,000 to VND 60,000 ($1.50 to $2.30).
BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) runs from downtown San Francisco (Embarcadero, Powell St.) to the SFO station and then a free AirTrain shuttle to all terminals (30–40 min from Embarcadero, $10.45). BART also connects Oakland and Berkeley; useful for East Bay travelers. Trains run from ~4am to midnight.Taxis from downtown San Francisco cost $40–60. Ride-hails (Uber, Lyft) pick up in the designated area in the garage and are often $30–50 depending on surge pricing. SamTrans buses serve Peninsula cities. Highway 101 and I-280 are heavily congested during commute hours; BART is faster than driving at those times.
SFO–SGN Quick Facts
Frequently Asked Questions
Flights from SFO to SGN
San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN) are connected by nonstop service from Vietnam Airlines. With 4 weekly departures, this is a regularly served route.
SFO to SGN Flight Duration and Schedule
Nonstop flight time from SFO to SGN ranges from 15 hours 40 minutes. The route covers a distance of 7,829 miles (12,598 km). There are approximately 4 weekly flights outbound and 4 return, totaling 8 flights per week in both directions.
Connecting Options and Alternatives
27 one-stop connections are available, with the fastest taking approximately 17 hours via NGO. Two-stop connections are also available via intermediate hubs.