The right side wins on both ends of the flight: a clear departure view of Ho Chi Minh City and the Mekong Delta, and a classic Sydney Harbour approach on arrival, while the left side offers only flatter, less distinctive terrain during takeoff and open ocean on landing.
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Flight Path
Ho Chi Minh City to Sydney is 4,254 miles (6,846 km), a flight of about 8 hours 40 minutes.
The great-circle path crosses the Indonesian archipelago near Kalimantan (Borneo) and the Makassar Strait toward Sulawesi, continues over the Arafura Sea into Australia's Top End near Arnhem Land and the Gulf of Carpentaria, then traverses the red desert interior of Queensland and New South Wales before crossing the Blue Mountains on the descent into Sydney.
Great circle distance and headings ›
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from SGN
RIGHTDeparting Tan Son Nhat and turning onto the southeast track toward Sydney, the right side looks back over Ho Chi Minh City's dense core, the looping Saigon River, and then the flat green mosaic of the Mekong Delta's rice paddies and canals as the coast approaches. The left side mostly shows the flatter northern suburbs and interior farmland with fewer distinct features.
Landing at SYD
RIGHTOn the typical South Plan approach into Sydney, aircraft track down the coast before turning onto final for runway 16R, and the right side gets a clear sweeping view of Sydney Harbour, the Opera House, and the Harbour Bridge just before the turn to land. The left side mostly faces the open Pacific and Tasman Sea with no comparable landmarks.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Tansonnhat International (SGN) to Kingsford Smith International Airport (SYD)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Ho Chi Minh City to Sydney. The right side wins on both ends of the flight: a clear departure view of Ho Chi Minh City and the Mekong Delta, and a classic Sydney Harbour approach on arrival, while the left side offers only flatter, less distinctive terrain during takeoff and open ocean on landing.
What can I see during takeoff from Tansonnhat International in Ho Chi Minh City?
During takeoff from Tansonnhat International (SGN), sit on the Right side for the best views. Departing Tan Son Nhat and turning onto the southeast track toward Sydney, the right side looks back over Ho Chi Minh City's dense core, the looping Saigon River, and then the flat green mosaic of the Mekong Delta's rice paddies and canals as the coast approaches. The left side mostly shows the flatter northern suburbs and interior farmland with fewer distinct features. Notable sights include: Saigon River, Ho Chi Minh City District 1 skyline, Mekong Delta rice paddies and canals, southern Vietnam coastline near Vung Tau.
What can I see when landing at Kingsford Smith International Airport in Sydney?
When landing at Kingsford Smith International Airport (SYD), sit on the Right side for the best views. On the typical South Plan approach into Sydney, aircraft track down the coast before turning onto final for runway 16R, and the right side gets a clear sweeping view of Sydney Harbour, the Opera House, and the Harbour Bridge just before the turn to land. The left side mostly faces the open Pacific and Tasman Sea with no comparable landmarks. Notable sights include: Sydney Harbour Bridge, Sydney Opera House, Botany Bay, Royal National Park coastline.
How long is the flight from Ho Chi Minh City to Sydney?
The flight from Tansonnhat International (SGN) to Kingsford Smith International Airport (SYD) takes about 8 hours 40 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 4,254 miles (6,846 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the Ho Chi Minh City to Sydney flight path pass over?
The great-circle path crosses the Indonesian archipelago near Kalimantan (Borneo) and the Makassar Strait toward Sulawesi, continues over the Arafura Sea into Australia's Top End near Arnhem Land and the Gulf of Carpentaria, then traverses the red desert interior of Queensland and New South Wales before crossing the Blue Mountains on the descent into Sydney.