Lounge Review: Le Saigonnais Lounge (International Terminal) - Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN)

Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN) is the largest airport in Vietnam, located in Ho Chi Minh City, which is the country's economic and cultural hub. It serves as the primary gateway for both domestic and international air travel in Vietnam. When I departed from SGN last month on Singapore Airlines, I was given the choice of either having access to the Le Saigonnais Lounge or an F&B/spa credit to spend at one of the participating outlets.

Entrance
Le Saigonnais Lounge (International Terminal) - Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN)

When I departed from the Tan Son Nhat International Airport on Singapore Airlines in Business Class late last year, I was directed to the Vietnam Airlines Lotus Lounge (even though it is technically not a Star Alliance lounge) as the Le Saigonnais Lounge was at capacity when I visited. At that time, the Le Saigonnais Lounge was part of the Priority Pass network but during my latest visit to Saigon, I noticed that this was no longer the case - entry is now restricted to premium cabin passengers only (as well as those that hold top-tier status in frequent flyer programs).

Interiors
Le Saigonnais Lounge (International Terminal) - Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN)

The Le Saigonnais Lounge in the International Terminal is located on Level 3, behind Burger King and it is accessible to first-class and business-class travellers, as well as eligible top-tier frequent flyer program members. As a PPS Club member (which also grants me Star Alliance Gold status) departing on Singapore Airlines in Economy Class, I had access to the Le Saigonnais Lounge and it was actually a lot more peaceful on this visit (especially since it is no longer a Priority Pass lounge).

Interiors
Le Saigonnais Lounge (International Terminal) - Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN)

The Le Saigonnais Lounge offers a contemporary design that beautifully blends modern aesthetics with elements inspired by Vietnamese traditional outfits - these are even displayed on mannequins at one side of the lounge. The lounge provides various seating configurations to cater to the diverse needs of passengers, including comfortable armchairs, sleek sofas, and communal tables. While the lounge aims to accommodate passengers' power needs, the availability of power outlets is limited, so it is advisable to plan accordingly if you wish to get some work done at the lounge.

Buffet Spread
Le Saigonnais Lounge (International Terminal) - Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN)

The Le Saigonnais Lounge offers a selection of hot and cold dishes - those craving local dishes, they may choose to indulge in the flavourful broth but there are also authentic dishes like the Vietnamese sticky rice with braised pork, as well as a hearty and delicious congee for those seeking a warm and nourishing dish. In addition to the savory options, the lounge provides lighter bites such as sandwiches and sliced fruits.

Alcohol Drinks
Le Saigonnais Lounge (International Terminal) - Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN)

The lounge offers a small selection of spirits which include whisky, gin, and vodka. There is also a small selection of red and white wine alongside typical non-alcoholic options like juices and a range of soft drinks from a fountain dispenser that offers a variety of carbonated beverages.

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You will also find plenty of different canned beverages (including beer) in the fridge - I am unfamiliar with most of the drinks but you will find the typical ones (like Coke) here as well.

Congee
Le Saigonnais Lounge (International Terminal) - Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN)

When eating congee, it's common to garnish it with a variety of condiments - I went with some minced pork, peanuts, and crispy fried shallots (but no cilantro). Salted duck eggs are also a popular choice as the creamy and savoury flavours from the yolks are perfect for this velvety dish.

Local Dishes
Le Saigonnais Lounge (International Terminal) - Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN)

Vietnamese sticky glutinous rice, also known as "xoi," is a beloved and traditional dish in Vietnamese cuisine. It is made from short-grain glutinous rice which has a sticky texture when cooked. I was honestly quite surprised to find it here in the lounge but it was almost as good as the ones that I have had from popular stalls in the city. This versatile ingredient can be eaten as a savoury or sweet dish but the lounge is offering "xoi man" which is typically served with toppings such as grilled chicken, preserved sausages and shredded dried shrimp. I was also pleasantly surprised to see the amount of protein available at the lounge as dishes tend to be carbohydrate-heavy in airport lounges.

Natural Daylight
Le Saigonnais Lounge (International Terminal) - Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN)

Natural daylight plays a crucial role in the design and functionality of airport lounges, providing numerous benefits to passengers. The lounge has massive floor-to-ceiling windows that look out to the runway and this is fantastic for aviation geeks wanting to do a little plane-spotting before their flight. The natural light in the day also creates a much more relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere for reading, working, or simply resting.

View of Runway
Le Saigonnais Lounge (International Terminal) - Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN)

I love looking out to the runways and I managed to spot a number of planes landing during my visit. Several major airlines operate from this airport, connecting passengers to destinations around the world. Vietnam Airlines is the flag carrier of Vietnam but if you are flying in Business Class, you will most likely be directed to the Vietnam Airlines Lotus Lounge instead.

Work Area
Le Saigonnais Lounge (International Terminal) - Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN)

Since I had quite a bit of time before my flight, I decided to work a little bit - there is a long communal table located towards the window-side of the lounge. This beautiful naturally-lit space provides a conducive environment for business travellers and remote workers to get stuf done before their flight. The Wi-Fi also works without a hitch and obviously having unlimited coffee helps too.

Power outlets at the Le Saigonnais Lounge are not universal so you must have some kind of universal adapter if you plan on using them. Even though you can find some of these outlets by the communal table, power outlets are actually quite sparsely located throughout the lounge so make sure you take note of where they are before settling down. There are also no USB charging ports here in the lounge so that is also something to make a mental note of if if you are planning to charge your phone before the flight.

Work Station
Le Saigonnais Lounge (International Terminal) - Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN)

Located all the way at the end of the lounge is a small business center where you will find a few PCs (yes, Personal Computers in this day and age) and a printer for you to print out important documents.

Drinks
Le Saigonnais Lounge (International Terminal) - Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN)

Now that the lounge is no longer as crowded as it used to be, the Le Saigonnais Lounge at Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN) is actually a great spot to wait at before the flight. Sure a meal voucher can be pretty attractive (if you wish to eat at Burger King or one of the nearby restaurants) but I would very much rather a quiet space to get some work done before the flight.