The High Cost of Airport Food in Vietnam
Many travelers who visit Vietnam often find themselves disappointed by the high prices of food at its airports. Despite paying significantly more than they would outside, many feel that the quality does not match the cost, especially when compared to other airports in the region.
Thu Nga, a frequent business traveler between Ho Chi Minh City and Thailand, has developed a habit of eating at Thai airports instead of Vietnamese ones. She recalls an instance where she bought a large cup of Thai tea at Suvarnabhumi Airport’s international terminal for about 160 baht (US$4.97). In contrast, a small cup of milk coffee at Tan Son Nhat Airport’s international terminal cost VND170,000 ($6.50).
She explains, “The price of food at Suvarnabhumi Airport is higher than outside, but not double or triple.” A portion of mango sticky rice there costs 190 baht, which is only about 50-60 baht more than what it would cost outside. Similarly, a bowl of tom yum at the airport costs around 280 baht, while it is 180-250 baht at mid-range restaurants near Icon Siam in Bangkok.
This discrepancy has sparked discussions among tourists about the pricing and quality of food at Vietnamese airports. In early July, a woman shared her experience on Facebook, claiming she paid VND208,000 (US$7.96) for a loaf of banh mi at Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi. This price was much higher than what she found at most airports worldwide.
In her post, she wrote, “Look at neighboring airports in Korea, Thailand, Malaysia, China, Singapore, Indonesia… their airport food is delicious and reasonably priced. A similar loaf costs only about VND40,000–50,000 ($1.53-1.91).” Her post quickly gained attention, leading aviation authorities to clarify that the $8 sandwich weighed 200 grams and used pork imported from Brazil.
Many travelers agree that the prices at both domestic and international terminals at Noi Bai and Tan Son Nhat airports are often many times more expensive than outside, with less appealing food. In contrast, other Southeast Asian airports like those in Thailand and Singapore offer a wider variety of food options at prices that are not significantly higher than outside.
Minh Ngoc, who visited The Hainan Story restaurant at Singapore’s Changi Airport in December 2024, ate a bowl of Hainan chicken porridge for 12.8 Singapore dollars, which was roughly three dollars higher than what she would pay outside for similar quality. However, she noted that a bowl of pho at the international terminal at Tan Son Nhat and Noi Bai airports costs three to four times more than usual.
Factors Behind High Airport Food Prices
Some travelers believe the high food prices at airports are justified due to the costs associated with running a business in such a location. One tourist argued that spending more for food at the airport is reasonable since it is served right in the security check area, and the higher price reflects the convenience of being able to eat without leaving the terminal.
Dr. Justin Pang, a senior lecturer in tourism and hospitality management at RMIT University Vietnam, explains that the higher cost of food at airports is due to their unique nature and location. Airports typically have fewer restaurants and food stalls, yet demand remains high. Additionally, airports are often located far from the city, increasing transportation costs.
Dr. Matt Kim, another lecturer in tourism and hospitality management at RMIT University, emphasizes that high rents are a significant factor in the pricing of food at airports. Serving large numbers of customers around the clock and requiring staff to communicate in multiple languages also drives up labor costs.
However, even considering these factors, it is difficult to justify why prices at Vietnamese airports are often two or three times higher than outside. Dr. Kim suggests that some vendors may use a pricing model based on the assumption that airport passengers have higher incomes and are willing to pay more, rather than basing prices solely on costs.
