If you have a few hours of transit in Shanghai, you can take the free train to visit terminals T1 and T2.
Ms. Trinh Hang, who has traveled to many countries around the world, shared her experience transiting at airports in China after her most recent trip in June 2023.
According to Ms. Hang, many international flights from Vietnam choose Chinese airports for transit thanks to competitive prices, good service, and modern facilities.
Transit in Shanghai
Shanghai Pudong Airport (PVG) is one of China's largest international airports, serving nearly 80 airlines around the world. Designed in the shape of a giant seabird, the airport welcomes more than 80 million passengers each year. It is also the "home field" of China Eastern Airlines and Shanghai Airlines.
Pudong has two main terminals, Terminal 1 was built first but the facilities are still new. Flights to and from Vietnam mainly transit here. Terminal 2 was built later, is larger, and has more shops. The design of the two terminals optimizes passenger service. Most seats have power outlets, in addition to landline phones and Internet access points. Most waiting seats do not have armrests, so passengers in long transit periods can lie down. Both terminals have many restaurants, souvenir shops, snack vending machines, currency exchange counters, and free drinking water machines. Terminal T1 also has a Vietnamese pho restaurant with a price of about 270,000 VND per bowl.
If you are transiting in Shanghai for a few hours, you can travel between the two terminals by taking the free airport subway. The journey from T1 to T2 takes a few minutes.
If you have a long transit (over 8 hours), you can apply for a transit visa at the airport and then visit the center of Shanghai with many famous tourist attractions. Public transportation in Shanghai is cheap, safe, and modern. After a few hours of walking around, calculate the time to return to the airport and continue your journey.
Transit in Shenzhen
Shenzhen Airport (SZX) ranks third in China in terms of annual passenger traffic, with over 21 million. It is home to Shenzhen Airlines and Donghai Airlines.
Shenzhen Airport is designed with inspiration from a honeycomb, allowing for good natural light. The lighting system also emphasizes aesthetics and closeness to nature. Many artistic details are placed throughout the airport, giving visitors the feeling of entering a futuristic museum with check-in corners that combine technology and art.
There are many convenience stores in the airport, the prices are not much different from outside. You can buy food or drinks for a few tens of thousands of dong. There are also many souvenir shops or branded shops in the airport.
Shenzhen Airport is large, the distance from the check-in gate to the boarding gate is very far. Therefore, you should quickly complete the procedures to avoid missing your flight. You also need to follow the electronic board or ask the airline staff to know the exact boarding gate, because this point may change, no longer the original exit gate printed on the ticket.
Transit in Hong Kong
Hong Kong Airport (HKG) is home to Cathay Pacific and is designed more like a viewing platform and amusement park than a passenger terminal. You might lose track of time here as there are so many things to do.
If you like playing games, you can use the free game machines. If you like movies, you can watch movies for hours on the large screens in the lobby. If you need some quiet, you can go up to the Sky Bridge tower, where there are telescopes to look out and enjoy the city view. Children coming to Hong Kong airport will enjoy the dedicated playgrounds, all free of charge. If you have time and money to spare, you can shop at the brand-name stores or experience massage parlors and hair salons.
Hong Kong currently does not issue airport transit visas for passengers who want to leave the airport while waiting for a connecting flight. Therefore, if you are in transit for a long time and want to visit Hong Kong, please apply for a visa in Vietnam.
Hong Kong Airport has many floors, many halls with many boarding gates. The boarding gates for flights to and from Vietnam are quite far from the security check. Therefore, passengers need to reserve enough time to get to the boarding gate after sightseeing to avoid missing their flight.
All airports have signs in English and Chinese. The staff does not speak English well, but can communicate through translation software. In addition, all airports have security checks: facial recognition, full body scans, passport and luggage scans. Fruits and fresh food are not allowed in the airport, even if you are in transit. Electronic devices, chargers and spare batteries are also carefully checked by security staff. After the check, you are free to explore the airport while waiting for your flight.
TH (according to VnExpress)