Dong Tac Airport

Tuy Hoa Airport (IATA: TBB, ICAO: VVTH), also known as Dong Tac Airport, sits about 8 kilometres south of Tuy Hoa city centre on Vietnam's south-central coast. This compact domestic airport is the main aerial entry point for Phu Yen province, handling mostly flights to and from Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi. With a single runway and a modest terminal, Tuy Hoa Airport operates at a scale that matches the region's relatively low tourist traffic—though that is slowly changing as more travellers discover Phu Yen's beaches, Cham heritage, and unspoiled landscapes.

Getting There

Tuy Hoa Airport is conveniently close to the provincial capital. From Tuy Hoa city centre, the most straightforward way is by taxi or ride-hailing service such as Grab—a ride to the airport takes about 15 to 20 minutes depending on traffic, costing roughly 100,000–150,000 VND. Local buses also connect the city to the airport, but they run infrequently and are best avoided if you are on a tight schedule. For those driving themselves, the airport has a parking lot just outside the terminal; parking fees are modest (around 5,000 VND per hour for motorbikes, 10,000 VND for cars). The road from Tuy Hoa to the airport follows National Route 1A, which is generally well-paved and easy to navigate. Visitors coming from farther away—for instance, Nha Trang to the south (about 200 km) or Quy Nhon to the north (about 100 km)—will find private car or bus the only options, as there is no direct rail connection to the airport.

Inside the Terminal

The terminal at Tuy Hoa Airport is a single-storey building with separate areas for departures and arrivals. It is clean, functional, and mercifully free of the chaos found at larger Vietnamese airports. On departure, passengers pass through security screening into a small airside waiting area. There are no jet bridges; you walk across the tarmac to your aircraft. The airport provides a wheelchair-accessible entrance and car park, as well as accessible toilets. A changing table is available in the restroom, which is useful for families. Baggage storage is offered near the check-in counters, though it is best to confirm availability in advance if you plan to leave luggage for an extended period. The terminal has a few small shops selling snacks, drinks, and local specialties like fish sauce and dried seafood, plus a basic café. Eating options are limited—consider bringing your own food if you have a long wait. The airport's busiest times are Monday around 8 am, and Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday at 1 pm, so expect slightly longer queues then. Overall, the atmosphere is calm and efficient; you can arrive 45 minutes before a domestic flight and still have time to spare.

Tuy Hoa Airport and Phu Yen

Phu Yen is one of Vietnam's underrated provinces, often overlooked by travellers rushing between Hoi An and Nha Trang. That is a mistake. The province boasts a stunning coastline of over 190 kilometres, with empty beaches, dramatic rock formations, and traditional fishing villages. The most famous natural attraction is Ghenh Da Dia (The Giant's Causeway of Vietnam), a stretch of coastline made of hexagonal basalt columns formed by volcanic activity millions of years ago. Nearby, Mang Lang Church, built in 1892, is the oldest church in the Central region and houses a valuable antique wooden printing press used to publish the first Quoc Ngu (Romanized Vietnamese) books. Another must-see is the Po Nagar Cham Towers—actually located in Nha Trang, but Phu Yen has its own Cham ruins at Luy Ho, though these are less accessible. The city of Tuy Hoa itself is a pleasant mix of French colonial architecture, tree-lined boulevards, and a lively waterfront. The city's symbol is Nhan Tower, a Cham-era structure atop a hill, offering panoramic views of the coast. Cuisine in Phu Yen is particularly notable. The province is famous for its seafood, especially “banh beo” (steamed rice cakes topped with dried shrimp and scallions), “banh can” (small savory pancakes), and “my Quang” (turmeric noodles). The local fish sauce, “nuoc mam Phu Yen,” is considered among the best in Vietnam. For those interested in history, Phu Yen was a crucial territory of the Cham Kingdom and later a battleground during the Vietnam War. The Vung Ro Bay area, about 40 km south of Tuy Hoa, was a key supply route for the North Vietnamese during the war and is now a peaceful spot for boat trips. The airport's role in all this is modest but essential—it brings visitors directly into a region that still feels undiscovered. As tourism infrastructure improves, Tuy Hoa Airport will likely see more routes, but for now, its small scale is part of its charm.

Practical Information

The airport is not open 24 hours, but it opens well before the first scheduled flight (typically around 5 am) and closes after the last arrival (usually by 10 pm). Confirm flight times with your airline as schedules vary. Contact the airport at +84 257 3851 950 or visit the official website at https://www.vietnamairport.vn/tuyhoaairport/vi/ for the latest information. Tips: if you need cash, there is an ATM in the terminal, but it sometimes runs out of money on busy days, so bring enough Vietnamese dong for taxis and snacks. Also, Phu Yen receives heavy rain from October to December, so plan accordingly and bring an umbrella. One concrete piece of advice: book your onward transport in advance—taxis are limited, especially for late arrivals, and ride-hailing apps may have fewer drivers available. A reliable option is to ask your hotel to arrange a pick-up.