At 10 p.m. on Feb. 12, the international terminal at Tan Son Nhat was packed with people from many localities coming to pick up family members returning home for Tet.
Security staff said that about half a month before the holiday, which runs from Feb. 14 to 22, the terminal becomes busy around the clock, with peak hours at night.
Flights from the U.S., Canada, Australia, South Korea, Japan and other countries landed continuously at Tan Son Nhat.
On Feb. 12 alone, the international terminal handled around 170 flights and more than 29,600 arriving passengers.
The baggage claim area was frequently congested, with many passengers waiting from 30 minutes to an hour to retrieve their luggage.
Kim Cuong, 60, (R) waited with her two younger siblings for more than two hours to welcome her brother home from Canada after 27 years apart.
"He left when he was young. In the blink of an eye, nearly 30 years have passed before we could see each other again," she said.
Dao Quang Thinh, 74, traveled around an hour from Binh Duong to reunite with a relative after more than 20 years apart, unable to hide his emotion.
"Nothing is more joyful than reuniting with family during Tet," he said.
Mai, who lives in former District 12, tearfully embraced her relative after more than 20 years without seeing each other.
Security staff remain on duty, reminding those waiting not to step into passenger walkways to avoid crowding and disorder.
