About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Shanghai Pudong International (PVG) to Tansonnhat International (SGN)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Shanghai to Ho Chi Minh City. Right-side seats capture Shanghai's departure over the East China Sea and maintain better views during the southbound cruise phase over the Vietnamese coast and Mekong Delta approach, though left wins on landing. Right edges out left for the longer flight segment.
What can I see during takeoff from Shanghai Pudong International in Shanghai?
During takeoff from Shanghai Pudong International (PVG), sit on the Right side for the best views. PVG typically departs eastbound (Runways 08L/08R). Right-side seats face north across the Huangpu River and Pudong district, offering views of Shanghai's urban sprawl and the river's distinctive meanders before climbing over the East China Sea. Notable sights include: Huangpu River (dark ribbon winding through the city), Pudong financial district (dense high-rise cluster), Yangshan Deep Water Port (container terminals visible southeast), East China Sea coastline.
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. SGN typically lands westbound (Runways 25L/25R). Left-side seats descending from the northeast will cross the Saigon River and see the city's central districts, including District 1 and the Binh Thanh area, before touchdown. Notable sights include: Saigon River (brown, meandering waterway), Binh Thanh district (dense urban grid), Thu Thiem New Urban Area (modern development on peninsula), Tan Son Nhat runway complex.
How long is the flight from Shanghai to Ho Chi Minh City?
The flight from Shanghai Pudong International (PVG) to Tansonnhat International (SGN) takes Approximately 2 hours 45 minutes to 3 hours 15 minutes.
What does the Shanghai to Ho Chi Minh City flight path pass over?
After departure, the flight crosses the East China Sea heading south-southwest. Around 45 minutes out, you'll pass over Hangzhou Bay and the Zhejiang coast. The cruise phase crosses open water with occasional glimpses of the Vietnamese coast near Haiphong and the Red River Delta. The final descent approaches the Mekong Delta's flat, agricultural landscape with its distinctive patchwork of rice paddies and waterways, then the Saigon River system before landing at SGN.