Noi Bai International Airport

Noi Bai International Airport is roughly 25 to 30 km north of central Hanoi. The usual route crosses the Red River on the Nhat Tan Bridge, and the drive normally takes 40 to 50 minutes outside rush hour. During the morning and evening peaks the trip can take more than an hour, so allow extra time when heading to the airport for a flight.

Yes, Noi Bai International Airport lies within the boundaries of Hanoi, but it is in the outer Soc Son area rather than the city center. It sits roughly 25 to 30 km north of the Old Quarter and Hoan Kiem Lake, so you need a taxi, ride-hailing car, transfer or airport bus to reach central hotels.

Noi Bai International Airport has two passenger terminals. Terminal 1 handles all domestic flights within Vietnam, and Terminal 2 handles all international flights. The two buildings are separate, and a free electric shuttle bus runs between them from early morning until after midnight, taking only a few minutes per trip.

At Noi Bai, the terminal depends on the flight rather than the airline. Vietnam Airlines, VietJet Air, Bamboo Airways and other Vietnamese airlines use Terminal 1 for domestic flights and Terminal 2 for international flights. Foreign airlines such as Korean Air, Qatar Airways and Singapore Airlines use Terminal 2. Always check your ticket for the terminal before traveling.

A free electric shuttle bus connects Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 at Noi Bai International Airport. It runs from about 5:00 am to around 1:00 am, roughly every 15 to 20 minutes, and the ride takes only a few minutes. If you are changing from a domestic to an international flight on separate tickets, collect your bags first.

Licensed taxis wait at the official ranks outside the arrivals areas of both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 at Noi Bai. Join the queue at the marked rank rather than accepting offers from drivers inside the hall. Check that the meter is running or agree the fare before leaving. The trip to central Hanoi usually takes about 45 to 60 minutes.

Yes. The orange airport bus 86 stops at both terminals and runs to the Old Quarter and Hanoi Railway Station in about 50 to 60 minutes, roughly every 45 minutes during the day. Cheaper city buses, including routes 07, 17, 109 and 90, also serve the airport but stop often and have little space for luggage.

Yes, Grab operates at Noi Bai International Airport and can be booked in the app for a door-to-door ride into Hanoi. The fare is shown before you confirm, and the trip usually takes 40 to 60 minutes depending on traffic. Download the app and add a payment method before landing, since you will need mobile data to book.

It depends on your nationality. Citizens of several countries, including the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Japan and South Korea, can stay up to 45 days without a visa. Most other travelers need a Vietnam e-visa, valid for up to 90 days with single or multiple entry, applied for online through the official government portal before departure.

Ha Long Bay lies east of Hanoi and is reached by road from Noi Bai International Airport. Most travelers use a private transfer, a cruise company's shuttle or a long-distance bus, often traveling via central Hanoi. Many visitors spend a night in Hanoi first and then join a bay cruise, which usually includes road transport from the city.

Ninh Binh lies south of Hanoi and Sapa lies to the northwest near the Chinese border, and both are reached by road or rail from the city rather than directly from the airport. Travelers usually take a car, transfer or sleeper bus, or ride into Hanoi first to catch a train from Hanoi Railway Station.

Hanoi uses Indochina Time (UTC+7) all year, with no daylight saving time. The currency is the Vietnamese dong (VND), and cash is still widely used for buses, markets and street food. The weather is hot and humid in summer and cool in winter, so pack a light jacket if you travel between December and February.

Noi Bai International Airport is operated by the Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV), which runs most of the country's commercial airports. The airport handled about 16.5 million passengers in the first half of 2025, and its Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City route is counted among the busiest domestic air routes in the world.