SGN Saigon
Đ. Trường Sơn, Phường 2, Tân Bình,
Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam
… more pix on Google Maps
Tan Son Nhat International Airport / Korean Airline is the first airport that made me to check my carryon, that would set off a troublesome chain reaction in Saigon‘s SGN.
How did I leave Saigon, or about to leave.
- It’s the first time ever that an airline made us to check in our carryons: over weight by 2kg. One of it has a charger, which will cause problem soon.
- Customs. The agent asked for my eVisa, on exit the country. I always throw away unnecessary items, including used papers. As something unusual this time, I’ve both eVisas inside my passport. Before handing him my passport, I took the two folded papers out. Only when he asked me, I thought to myself, good heaven that we kept them, this time. So I handed him both. He looked at them and returned the first one to me. … SO I’d think if I threw away my eVisa, the likelihood is, pay more to exit.
- After clearing the customs, I walked pass the booth, toward the security check. A woman was directing traffic, right after the customs. Some go left and some go right. She mentioned me to go right. But I waited for my spoons to clear the customs. When she saw me standing there, she barked in language I don’t understand. But after I pointed to my spouse, she was ok with it.
Then my spouse ISN’T ok. - The same agent demanded his eVisa and of course he doesn’t have it. So he was pulled. Of course he was sweating … after nearly ten minutes, little Irene suddenly thought, oh, maybe he needed his eVisa and that piece of paper the agent returned to me, was his eVisa or exit visa – thinking Casablanca.
For that short period of time, I did feel unease. We could see each other, separated by the bank of customs booths. I was inside and he was out… - We finally reunited, to go through the security check. He was cleared. And me, NOT. The problem? My checked in luggage has a problem, and they chase me down or find me.
- Someone led me out of the security check point. Being told where to stand or what to do with sign language (or I call it) isn’t too fun. Seeing the green uniform, I told myself, this is no joke. So, when a stocky agent in the green uniform, used his finger to make a circle motion, and I went it. Soon a Korean Air agent came to collect me. The stocky asked for my passport – nice of him, so I don’t have to clear it again.
KA girl: you’ve battery in your suitcase.
Me: “no, I don’t.” Thinking all electronics, which is my iPhone is WITH me.
She said a bit more, I chose not to answer. Then she led me to a tiny shallow room: it isn’t a body check place or torture chamber -:). I took a pix of it. A man jumped out and barked something, I’m sure it’s NO PHOTO. I put up my two arms as surrender. He said no more, and took no action. I kept the photo. I went into the tiny room. A worker pulled up my carryon, (wondering how did they know so precisely …). “Battery” or I think he said battery. Without saying a word, I pulled out the charger … - It’s all easy peacy for the security check. Although they did make me to take off my shoes, scarf …
Reunited with my spoons again.
…
By now, I’m pretty spent, have no desire to go to a lounge. I just wanted to wait by the gate and leave. As I was waiting, I remembered the hotel or our tour manager insisted to pack me a breakfast bag. AND when I looked into the bag, I see a bottle of water! This is the only airport that let me to bring a bottle of water, unknowingly, because the hotel packed the bag.
Oh well. It’s 6:51am, the morning has just began.
