Tech Glitch Disrupts Ho Chi Minh City Airport, Delays Flights

Photo courtesy of VN Express

A technical failure at Ho Chi Minh City’s Tan Son Nhat Airport disrupted immigration processing on 26 August, affecting hundreds of travellers on seven international flights.

Around 10 a.m., a transmission error led to an unexpected system breakdown, bringing immigration procedures to a halt at Vietnam’s largest airport. This disruption left passengers in long queues and growing anxious as their departure times approached.

By midday, authorities managed to partially restore the system, allowing immigration counters to resume processing passengers. Although the system stabilised by early afternoon, the impact was significant. An airport Security Center representative confirmed that the glitch affected seven flights, yet the exact number of passengers impacted remains undisclosed.

Airport staff quickly coordinated with airlines and other parties to prioritise passengers with imminent departures. They provided assistance to those who missed their flights as well.

A full system restoration was required, marking the first time such a disruption lasted for several hours. Although similar issues have occurred before, they were usually swiftly resolved.

Tan Son Nhat Airport, operating with three terminals, processes vast numbers of passengers daily. Terminal 2, the international hub, typically manages around 50,000 passengers arriving and departing each day. This glitch underscores the critical nature of maintaining robust technical systems at such high-volume hubs.

With operations now back to normal, airport authorities are likely assessing measures to prevent future occurrences, ensuring smoother experiences for international travellers.

For now, passengers and staff alike are relieved that normal service has resumed. International travellers are reminded to stay informed of any potential delays and to allow extra time for check-in during peak periods.

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from VN Express 2025-08-27