Los Angeles to Ho Chi Minh City
16h 44m The flight from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN) covers 13,130 km (8,159 miles) and takes approximately 16h 44m gate to gate for a typical jet.
The route heads north-west on an initial great-circle bearing of 308°, passing near 46.5° N, 162.6° E at its midpoint.
The route
The great-circle path — the shortest line between the two airports across the curve of the earth. On a flat map it looks bent; on a globe it is straight.
Flight time at different cruise speeds
Aircraft type, winds and routing all move the real number. This is the same distance flown at different speeds, plus the 25-minute ground and climb allowance.
| Typical of | Cruise speed | Airborne | Gate to gate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Turboprop / regional | 550 km/h | 23h 52m | 24h 18m |
| Narrowbody jet (A320, 737) | 780 km/h | 16h 50m | 17h 15m |
| Widebody jet (777, 787, A350) | 900 km/h | 14h 35m | 15h 01m |
| Private jet (Gulfstream) | 850 km/h | 15h 27m | 15h 52m |
Headwinds on an eastbound long-haul routinely add 30–60 minutes; the same route westbound can be quicker. Airlines publish schedules with padding built in.
Both airports
| LAX | SGN | |
|---|---|---|
| Airport | Los Angeles International Airport | Tan Son Nhat International Airport |
| City | Los Angeles | Ho Chi Minh City |
| Country | United States | Vietnam |
| ICAO | KLAX | VVTS |
| Coordinates | 33.9425, -118.408 | 10.8188, 106.652 |
| Elevation | 125 ft | 33 ft |
Questions
How long is the flight from Los Angeles to Ho Chi Minh City?
A non-stop flight from Los Angeles (LAX) to Ho Chi Minh City (SGN) takes about 16h 44m. The great-circle distance is 13,130 km (8,159 miles, 7,090 nautical miles), flying north-west on an initial bearing of 308°.
How far is Los Angeles from Ho Chi Minh City?
13,130 kilometres in a straight line over the earth's surface — 8,159 miles or 7,090 nautical miles. Actual flown distance is usually 2–5% longer because aircraft follow airways, avoid weather and route around restricted airspace.
Is there a non-stop flight between LAX and SGN?
This page calculates the direct-line time and distance; it does not track airline schedules. At 13,130 km the route is within reach of long-range widebodies, though not every city pair is served non-stop. Check an airline or booking site for what is actually scheduled.
What should I expect on a 16h 44m flight?
Anything past six hours is a long-haul flight: expect at least one meal service, a significant time-zone shift, and enough sitting that circulation and hydration start to matter. Cabin altitude, dry air and disrupted sleep do more damage to a training routine than the flight itself.
Other routes from Los Angeles
Airport coordinates from OurAirports (public domain). Distance is a great-circle calculation; flight time uses the model described on the method page. Flight times are great-circle estimates for planning only — always check the airline's published schedule.