For many of us travel junkies, there is no better feeling in the world than jetting off to a new destination. Airports are the gateway to your next adventure, and the hustle and bustle is exciting; however, it can also be stressful if you don’t know where to go. We have created this guide to help you get your head around what you can expect when you touch down in Vietnam.
Before you book your flights, there are some things you should know. You will need to understand which airports you can fly to, where in the country they are located and what the visa requirements are when you land at your chosen airport.
Vietnam Airports are run by the Airports Corporation of Vietnam. They manage and oversee operations at all 21 civil airports (8 international and 13 domestic) and the company has its headquarters at Tan Son Nhat Airport. You may fly into here if you are heading to the dazzling Ho Chi Minh City or another tourist hotspot in the southeast of the country. There are a number of other places that you can also fly into, depending on your point of departure and where you are visiting first.
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How Many Airports Are There in Vietnam?
There are a total of 33 airports in Vietnam, and each is identified by a unique 3-letter code called a geocode. This system is used to identify airports across the globe.
Wondering what the Vietnam Airport code is? This depends on where you are travelling to. Heading to Ho Chi Minh City, the country’s economic hub for business? You will probably fly into Tan Son Nhat International Airport. There are direct flights here from cities such as London, Paris, Singapore and Tokyo among others.
The code for Tan Son Nhat is SGN, which is derived from the city’s former name, Saigon.
Further below we have included a list of codes for all the airports in Vietnam.
Can I Get a Vietnam Visa at the Airport?
If you’re planning to fly into this country and get a Vietnam visa, there is some important information that you need to know.
Single-entry eVisas are available in advance through Byevisa if you are visiting for less than 30 days. In order to obtain this, you will need a Visa Approval Letter. Alternatively, you can get a Visa on Arrival, however, you will still need to have already acquired a Visa Approval Letter.
If you are going to enter and exit the country multiple times or will be there for longer than 30, but less than 90 days then you will need to apply for a Multiple Entry visa.
Either way, you can save valuable time by completing the Entry/Exit form before you arrive. Sorting your travel documents in advance means that you can spend more time planning other more fun parts of your trip such as what type of pho soup you want to try first.
Vietnam International Airports
Here is a full list of all the country’s international airports.
Name |
Location |
IATA Airport Code |
|---|---|---|
| Cam Ranh International | Cam Ranh Bay | CXR |
| Can Tho International | Can Tho | VCA |
| Cat Bi International | Hai Phong | HPH |
| Da Nang International | Da Nang | DAD |
| Noi Bai International | Hanoi | HAN |
| Phu Bai International | Hue | HUI |
| Phu Quoc International | Phu Quoc Island | PQC |
| Tan Son Nhat International | Ho Chi Minh City | SGN |
| Van Don International | Van Don District | VDO |
| Vinh International |
Vinh city | VII |
Domestic Airports
Name |
Location |
IATA Airport Code |
|---|---|---|
| Buon Ma Thuot | Buon Ma Thuot | BMV |
| Cà Mau | Cà Mau Province | CAH |
| Chu Lai | Chu Lai | VCL |
| Co Ong | Con Sơn Island | VCS |
| Điện Biên Phủ | Điện Biên Phủ | DIN |
| Dong Hoi | Loc Ninh commune | VDH |
| Dong Tac | Tuy Hoa | TBB |
| Lien Khuong | Đức Trọng District | DLI |
| Phu Cat | Qui Nhơn | UIH |
| Pleiku | Pleiku | PXU |
| Rach Gia | Rach Gia | VKG |
| Tho Xuan | Sao Vàng | THD |
| Vung Tau | Bà Rịa–Vũng Tàu Province | VTG |
What Is the Main Airport in Vietnam?
Out of the domestic and international airports listed above, there are 3 which we would classify as major airports.
The 3 main international airports are:
- Noi Bai (HAN)
- Tan Son Nhat (SGN)
- Da Nang (DAD)
They are located in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang respectively.
Wondering what is the largest airport in Vietnam?
Tan Son Nhat International is the biggest airport in Vietnam and accounts for around 30% of the country’s passengers.
What Is the Best International Airport in Vietnam to Fly Into?
This depends on which part or parts of the country you are wanting to explore.
4 of the most popular places to visit in Vietnam are:
- Ho Chi Minh City
- Hanoi
- Ha Long Bay
- Hoi An
The first 2 have their own international airports; however, the others do not. Don’t let this stop you from including them in your Vietnamese itinerary though! If you’re planning to visit Hoi An, the city of canals and colourful lanterns, you can fly into the neighbouring city of Da Nang and take a taxi from there.
Wondering what is the closest airport to Ha Long Bay?
Ha Long Bay often comes out top on lists of must-see places. Its emerald waters attract millions of visitors each year who come to scuba dive, rock climb and hike on its stunning islands.
The closest international airport to Ha Long Bay is Cat Bi. It is located less than 30 km from the bay. You can fly here from domestic airports like Ho Chi Minh and also from China and other parts of Asia.
Another popular option to get to the bay is to fly into Noi Bai. Although this is over 200 km away, it is the most convenient option for tourists who are travelling here from the capital. You can take a bus or a taxi from here to Halong Bay and discover Vietnam’s ancient capital Hanoi along the way.
FAQs
Looking for more information about flying into Vietnam? Have a read of the information below.
How Easy Is Vietnam Airport Transfer?
If you are travelling between different parts of the country or visiting other parts of Southeast Asia during your trip, you will definitely experience a Vietnamese airport transfer. Want to get from one terminal to another? At Hanoi a free shuttle bus is in operation for transit passengers connecting International Terminal 2 and T1.
Whichever airport you arrive in, there are a variety of transport services available to take you to your hotel if this is your final destination. You can book these in advance or sort it on arrival. The taxi app Grab is widely used if you want to know upfront how much you will pay. It is often cheaper than a regular taxi.
Where Can I Find the Hanoi Airport Departures?
To make your experience navigating the nation’s second busiest airport as smooth as possible, here is some useful information.
Make sure to give yourself enough time to get here. Hanoi city centre is approximately 28 km away, so you should factor in a minimum of 45 minutes travel time if you are taking a taxi. If it is raining, or there is traffic, it may be a little longer. There are also public bus routes serving Noi Bai.
Domestic flights operate from Terminal 1, so if you are flying with Vietnam JetStar Pacific or VietJet Air among others, you will need to head here. International flights depart from Terminal 2.
The airport has free Wifi, drinking water fountains, kids play areas and mobile charging stations. Sleep pods can be accessed for a fee in both terminals. Like your creature comforts? You can pay to access one of the first-class lounges.
Wondering what the Hanoi airport code is? The IATA code for Noi Bai is HAN.
