Left side wins at both ends of the flight. Chicago's skyline and Lake Michigan on departure, and the Saigon River and HCMC urban sprawl on arrival are all on the left. The transpacific routing over the North Pacific and South China Sea offers limited mid-flight scenery regardless of side, so the bookend views at departure and arrival are the deciding factor.
Flight Path
The flight tracks northwest over Wisconsin briefly, then arcs over the Alaskan coast and Aleutian Islands chain, crosses the North Pacific, passes south of Japan's Kyushu or over the Philippine Sea, transits the South China Sea, and descends over southern Vietnam. Daylight permitting, the Aleutian Islands volcanic chain and the Philippine archipelago's island clusters are the most visually distinctive mid-flight features.
Great circle distance and headings ›
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from ORD
LEFTORD typically departs eastward on runways 10L/10R or westward on 28L/28R depending on wind. For the most common eastward departures, the left side gives you a sweeping view of downtown Chicago's skyline and Lake Michigan's shoreline. Even on westward departures, the left side catches the city as you bank south toward the Pacific routing.
Landing at SGN
LEFTTan Son Nhat typically uses runway 25L/25R for arrivals from the east, meaning the approach comes in from the east heading west. The left side on this approach gives you the Saigon River winding through Ho Chi Minh City's urban core, the dense District 1 skyline, and the broader Mekong Delta patchwork of rice paddies and waterways on final approach.
Landmarks on this routeAll landmarks →
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Chicago Ohare International (ORD) to Tansonnhat International (SGN)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Chicago to Ho Chi Minh City. Left side wins at both ends of the flight. Chicago's skyline and Lake Michigan on departure, and the Saigon River and HCMC urban sprawl on arrival are all on the left. The transpacific routing over the North Pacific and South China Sea offers limited mid-flight scenery regardless of side, so the bookend views at departure and arrival are the deciding factor.
What can I see during takeoff from Chicago Ohare International in Chicago?
During takeoff from Chicago Ohare International (ORD), sit on the Left side for the best views. ORD typically departs eastward on runways 10L/10R or westward on 28L/28R depending on wind. For the most common eastward departures, the left side gives you a sweeping view of downtown Chicago's skyline and Lake Michigan's shoreline. Even on westward departures, the left side catches the city as you bank south toward the Pacific routing. Notable sights include: Downtown Chicago skyline (Willis Tower, John Hancock), Lake Michigan shoreline, Chicago River grid, Grant Park and Museum Campus.
What can I see when landing at Tansonnhat International in Ho Chi Minh City?
When landing at Tansonnhat International (SGN), sit on the Left side for the best views. Tan Son Nhat typically uses runway 25L/25R for arrivals from the east, meaning the approach comes in from the east heading west. The left side on this approach gives you the Saigon River winding through Ho Chi Minh City's urban core, the dense District 1 skyline, and the broader Mekong Delta patchwork of rice paddies and waterways on final approach. Notable sights include: Saigon River bends through central HCMC, District 1 skyline, Mekong Delta rice paddy and canal network, Bien Hoa urban corridor to the northeast.
How long is the flight from Chicago to Ho Chi Minh City?
The flight from Chicago Ohare International (ORD) to Tansonnhat International (SGN) takes Approximately 17 to 19 hours nonstop, typically routing over Alaska, the North Pacific, Japan or the Philippines, and the South China Sea.
What does the Chicago to Ho Chi Minh City flight path pass over?
The flight tracks northwest over Wisconsin briefly, then arcs over the Alaskan coast and Aleutian Islands chain, crosses the North Pacific, passes south of Japan's Kyushu or over the Philippine Sea, transits the South China Sea, and descends over southern Vietnam. Daylight permitting, the Aleutian Islands volcanic chain and the Philippine archipelago's island clusters are the most visually distinctive mid-flight features.