A Traveler’s Guide to International Airports in Vietnam
Vietnam’s two busiest airports are located in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi. There are some other international airports in Vietnam to take you to the country’s must-see tourist spots in Hue, Danang, Nha Trang, and Phu Quoc. Your trip to Vietnam is ready to start right after you leave the airport.
Traveling by air is no doubt the most common way to bring you to Vietnam. Vietnam is served by three main international airports which are Tan Son Nhat in Ho Chi Minh City, Noi Bai in Hanoi, and Da Nang in Danang City. What is the best airport to fly into Vietnam, what facilities can you expect, how to travel to and from the airport – Find out what you need to know before you embark.
Airport procedures
Vietnam offers e-visa for a stay up to 90 days (since August 15, 2023). With a Vietnam e-visa, you can arrive at some international airports in Vietnam including Noi Bai, Tan Son Nhat, Da Nang, Can Tho, Phu Bai, Cat Bi, Cam Ranh. If you receive the approval letter, you can get visa on arrival at Noi Bai, Tan Son Nhat, and Da Nang Airports.
» Arrivals: Most passengers disembark through the jetways. In case your flights are parked away from the jetways, you will be transferred to the terminal building by bus. You will see the immigration office signaling “Landing Visa” or “Visa on Arrival”. Check it carefully if you need a visa or not. See more on Vietnam travel visa.
Once you get your visa stamped, you can head to the baggage claim hall, and collect your luggage. Next, forward your luggage to the scanning section managed by customs. If you have anything to declare to customs, you should declare them and fill out a separate form. Then, you can leave the airport.
» Departures: For exiting Vietnam, you are required to present your passport, ticket, invoice, or ticket codes to security forces at the gate of the international terminal. You proceed at the check-in hall. After check-in, you will go through the security checkpoint. The next step is presenting your boarding pass and personal documents at immigration check before you enter the departure lounge. Then, you will wait to board your flight.
» See more on Vietnam Visa Requirements: Do You Need a Visa To Vietnam?
Some International Airports in Vietnam
Vietnam has 22 commercial airports including 11 international airports. Here are six of the busiest international airports in Vietnam and essential information you need to know about them.
Tan Son Nhat International Airport (Ho Chi Minh City) | VVTS/SGN
Tan Son Nhat International Airport is the busiest airport in Vietnam, serving as the main airport in Ho Chi Minh City as well as the whole Southern Vietnam.
» Overview: Tan Son Nhat International Airport is located 6km north of the city center. It offers two terminals (T1 for domestic flights and T2 for international flights). The new international building opened in 2007 with the initially designed capacity of 8-10 million passengers per year.
» Available services: Expect to access to free wifi at Tan Son Nhat Airport at both domestic and international terminals. Brochures and city maps are complimentary at the information desk. Money exchange and ATM services are available. In the international terminal, there are five ATMs set near Column 14 and Column 3. You can find some duty-free shops inside the security area and the check-in hall.
» Transport options: There are several options to get to Ho Chi Minh City center from Tan Son Nhat Airport. Most passengers prefer to catch a metered taxi. The cost to the city center is about VND 150,000. Vinasun Taxi and Mai Linh Taxi are the most reliable ones. You can also pay in advance at the taxi counters for a fixed price.
If you want to experience public transport, there are bus stops at Column 12 and Column 4. Here are some: No. 109: Tan Son Nhat Airport – 23/9 City Park, No. 119: Tan Son Nhat Airport – Mien Dong Station, No. 152: Tan Son Nhat International Airport – Trung Son Residential Zone – Ben Thanh Market.
» See more on Full Day Ho Chi Minh City Tour and A Family-Friendly Guide to Ho Chi Minh City
Noi Bai International Airport (Hanoi) | VVNB/HAN
Noi Bai International Airport is the largest airport in Vietnam regarding total capacity and the second busiest airport in Vietnam, after Tan Son Nhat International Airport. It is the main transport hub in Northern Vietnam.
» Overview: Noi Bai Airport is located in Soc Son District, about 30km away from the downtown of Hanoi. There are two terminals which are T1 for domestic flights and T2 for international flights. They are in separate buildings and 850m apart.
» Available services: “Noi Bai Airport Free Wi-Fi” is accessible via the web browser. There are information desks, duty-free stores, and souvenir shops on the first and third floors of the international terminal. Money exchange and ATM services are available. You can also enjoy massage services, medical care, shower, smoking room, etc.
» Transport options: If you are to grab a taxi, consider Mai Linh Taxi, Noi Bai Taxi, and Thanh Cong Taxi. The price to get from the airport to Hanoi Old Quarter (backpacker area) is around VND 250,000 – 400,000.
There are four buses that have routes from Noi Bai Airport to the center of Hanoi: No.7: Noi Bai T1 terminal – Cau Giay, No. 17: Noi Bai T1 terminal – Long Bien Bridge, No. 90: Noi Bai T2 terminal – Kim Ma, No. 86: Noi Bai T2 terminal – Hanoi Train Station.
» See more on Hanoi Full Day City Tour
Da Nang International Airport (Danang) | VVDN/DAD
Danang International Airport is a crucial gateway to access Central Vietnam. It is the third busiest airport in Vietnam, after Tan Son Nhat and Noi Bai. This is where you fly if you plan to visit My Khe Beach or Hoi An Ancient Town.
» Overview: Danang Airport is 2,5km southwest of the city. It offers two terminals: Domestic T1 and International T2. The international terminal offers separate arrival and departure stations. It takes about 15 minutes to walk between the two terminals.
» Available services: You don’t have to pay for using wifi in Danang Airport. Money exchange counters can be found in the public halls and arrival halls of both terminals. You can also use ATMs near the exit of the arrival hall. SIM card counters are located on the ground floor of both terminals. You will also find coffee shops, VIP lounge, duty-free shops, free water, free mobile charging, etc.
» Transport options: You can book a private car to transfer from the airport to your hotel. If you want to travel by taxi, there are taxis parking outside the arrival hall of both terminals. Expect to pay around VND 100,000 – 200,000 for dropping off in Danang. For a taxi to Hoi An, expect to pay around VND 290,000 – 400,000. Here are some trusted brands: Mai Linh Taxi, Tien Sa Taxi, VinaSun Green Taxi, Song Han Taxi. Read Getting around Vietnam: Easy Ways to Travel in this S-shaped Country.
There is no public bus inside Da Nang Airport, so you have to walk about 20 minutes to the nearest stations to catch a bus. You can choose the yellow bus No.1 to get to Hoi An Bus Station from Centre Bus Station. There are tourist buses by Coco City Tour with more routes in Danang and Hoi An.
» See more on 6-Day Tour of Central Vietnam
Cam Ranh International Airport (Khanh Hoa) | VVCR/CXR
Located in Cam Ranh Bay, Cam Ranh International Airport is the main airport serving Nha Trang City, Khanh Hoa Province, not very far away from Nha Trang scenic beaches. It is also the only airport of all Vietnam that welcomes more international passengers than domestic passengers.
» Overview: Cam Ranh International Airport is about 30km away from the city center of Nha Trang. There are international flights to Nha Trang, such as China Southern Airlines, Asiana Airlines, Jetstar Pacific, and Korean Air. Terminal 1 is designated for domestic flights and Terminal 2 is for international flights.
» Available services: Free wifi is accessible in both terminals. On the first floor, you will find flight ticket counters, ATMs, currency exchange counters, a food court, and souvenir shops. The information desk is on the first floor, Center of Passenger Terminal.
» Transport options: Taxi is the most convenient way to move from Cam Ranh International Airport to your hotel in Nha Trang. Cam Ranh Airport Taxi service costs about VND 300,000 – 350,000. However, if you walk a little further outside the airport gate, you can grab a taxi at a cheaper price, starting from VND 200,000. Look for Mai Linh Taxi, Nha Trang Taxi, Khanh Hoa Taxi, Emasco Taxi.
You can also opt for an airport bus from Cam Ranh International Airport to the city of Nha Trang. Airport buses usually run 30 minutes after the plane lands or when they are full. Expect to pay about VND 65,000. You will find some ticket counters inside the arrival hall.
» See more on Best of Nha Trang Private Tour
Phu Bai International Airport (Hue) | VVPB/HUI
Phu Bai International Airport is an important transportation hub of Thua Thien – Hue Province and the northern Central. It officially welcomed its first international flight in 2002.
» Overview: Phu Bai International Airport in Vietnam is located on Highway 1A, Huong Thuy Town, Thua Thien – Hue Province. It is approximately 15km away from the center of Hue City. The current Terminal 1 (T1) is a two-level building, the second passenger terminal is scheduled to welcome passengers by December 2020.
» Available services: As Phu Bai Airport has a tiny terminal, facilities are limited. Free unlimited WiFi is available. ATMs are located on the first floor. There are restaurants and fast food outlets on both floors of the airport. The information desk is located in the arrival hall.
» Transport options: Traveling from Phu Bai International Airport to Hue City center, you can either take a taxi or a shuttle bus. Expect to pay around 250,000 VND for a taxi to Hue city center. Consider Mai Linh Taxi, Phu Xuan Taxi, Hoang Sa Taxi, and Thanh Cong Taxi. As you walk out of the airport, you will also find a shuttle bus at a cost of 50,000 VND. Both options take about 30 minutes.
» See more on Hue City Tour and River Cruise
Phu Quoc International Airport (Kien Giang) | VVPQ/PQC
The new Phu Quoc International Airport has been operating since late 2012 on Phu Quoc Island, Kien Giang Province. The airport aims at attracting more international tourists to the island’s beaches.
» Overview: The airport is about 13km south of the main town of Duong Dong. It is designed with a domestic terminal of 4,716m² and an international terminal of 5,433m². Airlines currently operating both domestic and international flights from Phu Quoc include Vietnam Airlines, VietJet Air, and Jetstar Pacific Airlines.
» Available services: There is no free airport wifi, but you can buy something from the Burger King or coffee shops to get access to wifi. F&B selections are limited and pricey, so it’s better to have a meal before you get into the airport. Shopping options at Phu Quoc International Airport are limited to souvenir stores with handicrafts, T-shirts, pearl jewelry, and liquor.
» Transport options: If your hotel doesn’t provide airport transfer from Phu Quoc Airport, there are some transport options available. You can find a shuttle bus at the car park of Phu Quoc Airport. The drop-off at Duong Dong town is on Nguyen Trung Truc Street. A ticket costs VND 50,000 and it takes 10 minutes to Long Beach and 30 minutes to Duong Dong town.
Otherwise, you can find car rental booths inside the arrival hall. Taxi counters are outside the terminal. Expect to pay about VND 100,000 for a taxi to Long Beach and about VND 160,000 to Duong Dong. You also have to pay an airport toll of VND 20,000 when exiting the airport. Some trusted taxi companies including Mai Linh Taxi, Phu Quoc Taxi, Sasco Taxi, Vinasun Taxi.
» See more on Full Day Phu Quoc Island Discovery
Don’t you want to save time and money traveling from and to international airports in Vietnam? Contact us for a private air-conditioned transfer service and private tours catering all your needs. You have to worry about nothing but just how to get the most beautiful photos in Vietnam.
© Maika Tours
Written by Trinh Tran
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