Jasmine Halal Lounge at Tân Sơn Nhất International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City [Review]

After a somewhat disappointing visit to the Apricot Business Lounge in Ho Chi Minh City’s Tân Sơn Nhất International Airport (SGN), I had enough time before my connecting flight for a little lounge-hopping. I decided to check out the other Priority Pass lounge accessible to international passengers — the Jasmine Halal Lounge.

This space was a breath of fresh air, with amazing apron views and seating that was ideal for families. If you’ve just got time to check out 1 lounge in SGN, see why Jasmine Halal Lounge should top your list.

Jasmine Halal Lounge Location

The Jasmine Halal Lounge is in the international terminal of Ho Chi Minh City’s Tân Sơn Nhất International Airport.

When exiting immigration and security, turn left, and the lounge entrance will be on your right between signs for gate 17 and gates 10 to 14.

There is signage leading to a small entryway with a sliding glass door.

Gaining Entry to the Jasmine Halal Lounge

The check-in reception for the lounge is on a small landing space on level 2. The lounge itself is down 1 level, which you can access via stairs to the left of the desk or an elevator to the right.

You can access the lounge 24 hours a day and via a day pass or several lounge memberships.

Priority Pass

I was granted entry to the lounge via Priority Pass membership I have through my Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card. This is a great card for lounge access!

LIMITED-TIME OFFER

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

The Capital One Venture X card is an excellent option for travelers looking for an all-in-one premium credit card.

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

The Capital One Venture X card is an excellent option for travelers looking for an all-in-one premium credit card.

Welcome Offer

Earn 100,000 bonus miles once you spend $10,000 on purchases in the first 6 months from account opening - equal to $1,000 in travel.

100,000 miles

UP's Offer Valuation*:

$1,800

Annual Fee

$395

APR

Purchases: 19.99% - 28.99% (Variable)

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.

Excellent (740-840)

Why We Like This Card

The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is the premium Capital One travel rewards card on the block.

Points and miles fans will be surprised to see that the Capital One Venture X card packs quite the punch when it comes to bookings made through Capital One, all while offering the lowest annual fee among premium credit cards.

Depending on your travel goals and preferences, the Capital One Venture X card could very well end up being your go-to card in your wallet.

 

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 10x miles per $1 on hotels and rental cars purchased through Capital One Travel
• 5x miles per $1 on flights and vacation rentals purchased through Capital One Travel
• 2x miles per $1 on all other purchases

Cons

• $395 annual fee
• Does not offer bonus categories for flights or hotel purchases made directly with the airline or hotel group, the preferred booking method for those looking to earn elite status

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Card Highlights

• LIMITED-TIME OFFER: Earn 100,000 bonus miles once you spend $10,000 on purchases in the first 6 months from account opening - equal to $1,000 in travel
• Receive a $300 annual credit for bookings through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
• Get 10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary
• Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 5X miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel
• Earn unlimited 2X miles on all other purchases
• Enjoy access to 1,300+ lounges worldwide, including Capital One Lounge locations and Priority Pass™ lounges, after enrollment
• Use your Venture X miles to easily cover travel expenses, including flights, hotels, rental cars and more—you can even transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
• Enjoy a $100 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Premier Collection
• Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck^®

Financial Snapshot

• APR: Purchases: 19.99% - 28.99% (Variable)
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

Capital One Miles

 

Priority Pass members were granted a maximum 3-hour stay, and 2 children under 5 years old were admitted for free per adult.

Other Lounge Networks

The lounge was also accessible to LoungeKey and DragonPass members and cardholders of select international banks.

Day Rates

The day rates for the Jasmine Halal Lounge were identical to those for the Apricot Business Lounge. Adults were $43, kids from ages 5 to 12 were $21.50, and 1 child under 5 was free (additional children under 5 were charged $21.50).

A slightly cheaper day rate was available online for 945,000₫ (~$39) for adults and 472,500₫ (~$20) for children.

First Impressions

The space truly had a “wow” presence — from the top of the stairs, after checking in, you were really able to take in the entire 2-story space.

The lounge was flooded with light from the 2-story windows that faced the apron.

Seating

I was pleased to see a variety of seats that would suit a mix of travelers. Against the window were groups of 2 and 4 seats with coffee tables.

Guests could also watch passengers board and deplane via transparent jet bridges.

There were a few chairs ideal for solo passengers and a handful of dining-style tables and chairs near the buffet.

My family and I were stationed in a cluster of 6 seats together (3 seats facing 3 seats). The main challenge in this area, which was in the open and not against the wall or window, was the lack of outlets.

I was able to find a few outlets hiding close to the window seats, but they were not easy to access.

I knew that we would have access to charging capabilities on our flight, so we were able to use our devices for our short time in the lounge without needing to plug in.

Hot Tip:

If charging a device is important for your visit, scout out the closest outlet to your seat before dropping your bags, as not all seating areas have outlet access.

Food and Beverage

All food in the lounge was certified by the International Halal Integrity Alliance, Malaysia Halal Consultation & Training Company (MHCT). Unlike in the neighboring Apricot Business Lounge, there were no pork products or alcohol in the Jasmine Halal Lounge.

As opposed to the Vietnamese-heavy menu at Apricot Business Lounge, this lounge had Mediterranean- and Indian-leaning foods.

Buffet

My visit was around 5:30 p.m., and the lounge was set for dinner service. The hot buffet started with a Dhaka chicken curry. Basmati rice was also available.

Boiled eggs were available, as well as a colorful, pepper-heavy moussaka.

Vegetarian options included falafel, which you could wrap in pita with salad (which we found later at the buffet).

Vegetarians could also enjoy the aloo gobi, a curry made with potatoes and cauliflower.

There was a salad with fresh greens, a quinoa salad, cut dragon fruit, whole fruit, and a bread basket.

And as a consolation for the lack of yummy desserts in the Apricot Business Lounge, these lamingtons and little cakes hit the spot.

There was an allergens sign that warned that the food served may have come in contact with with celery, milk, crustacean, egg, fish, lupin flour, gluten, mollusk, mustard, nuts, sesame seed, or sulfur dioxide.

Though I was excited to try some new flavors, the food turned out to be a treat for the eyes but underwhelming for the taste buds. The hot food was kept in Dutch ovens (with no lids) atop an induction warmer, and as a result, nearly everything on the buffet was cold. For such a lovely dish as the moussaka, it was a shame that it wasn’t kept to a proper temperature for ideal enjoyment.

The desserts, however, were great and just what we were after considering the disappointing desserts at the Apricot Business Lounge.

Drinks

The drink cooler featured a variety of waters, yogurts, Tropicana Twister and Ezos juices, Mirinda Xá Xị (which tastes like sarsaparilla or root beer), Pepsi Max Lime, and Revive Chanh Muối (a salted lemon sports drink).

You could also make your own coffee, with milk in the cooler.

For tea lovers, there was hot Phúc Long tea already brewed, or you could select your own tea bag with hot water at the ready.

Amenities

Bathrooms

The restrooms were inside the lounge, close to the Pepsi cooler. The women’s bathroom was small, with just 2 stalls and no showers.

There was a stepstool in front of one of the sinks, which I believed was a makeshift wudu station (a place for Muslims to practice ritual cleansing).

The sinks also had these unusual orbs next to the spout. I’m not sure if they once dispensed soap, but there were also pump soaps next to the sink.

Prayer Room

There were 2 private prayer rooms available, 1 for men and 1 for women.

Business Center

At the far right-facing window was a small business center with 2 desktop computers and a printer.

Periodicals

Near the elevator was a departures board and a periodicals rack with newspapers and magazines.

Next to the prayer rooms was another periodical rack and a shoeshine machine. Note that all media appeared to be in Vietnamese.

Wi-Fi

The password for the Wi-Fi network was the same as the one for the Apricot Business Lounge, so my phone easily connected. The password was advertised on all the tables, so you never had to look far for it.

My kids were able to stream Netflix and play Roblox without any issues.

Hot Tip:

The lounge advertises having a massage chair, but I did not locate one during my visit.

Staff and Service

The gentleman who checked me in was polite and directed me to the elevator (vs. the stairs) when he saw that I was struggling with bags.

All other interactions with staff in the lounge were minimal. Used plates and trash did not sit for very long before being cleared.

Final Thoughts

For a relaxed vibe with great planespotting, I would definitely recommend that Priority Pass members try the Jasmine Halal Lounge over the Apricot Business Lounge. If you prefer limited alcohol options or Vietnamese food as your last taste of Vietnam, you may want to stop at the Apricot Business Lounge first, then head to Jasmine Halal Lounge.

Jasmine Halal Lounge’s 2 weakest spots were cold buffet food that should have been warm and a lack of accessible outlets at most seats. However, the seating options for larger families, paired with desserts and juices, made this lounge a winner with my kids.