1. Overview
Hanoi airport, also known as Noi Bai International Airport (HAN), is the largest airport in Northern Vietnam and plays an important role as a gateway to the capital, Hanoi, about 28 km north of the city center. This is a transit point not only for domestic passengers but also an important stopover for many international flights connecting Vietnam with other continents.
Currently, Hanoi airport is directly managed and operated by the Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV). With two main terminals—T1 for domestic flights and T2 for international flights—the airport has the capacity to accommodate more than 30 million passengers per year and is continuously expanding to meet increasing demand. Noi Bai Airport has played an important role in the economic, tourism, and cultural development of Hanoi City and the northern provinces in general.
2. History and development of Hanoi Airport
Previously, Hanoi Airport was called Da Phuc Airport, which was a military base during the resistance war. In 1977, the airport was upgraded to serve both military and civilian purposes, and just one year later, it welcomed its first international flight.
In 2001, Terminal T1 was inaugurated, operating both domestic and international flights. At the end of 2014, the modern Terminal T2 came into operation, specializing in international services, while T1 focuses on domestic operations. According to the plan, Noi Bai International Airport will continue to expand its terminals and runways, aiming to become one of the largest aviation centers in Southeast Asia.
Basic information about Hanoi Airport:
- Full name: Noi Bai International Airport
- Address: Noi Bai Ward, Hanoi, Vietnam
- Distance from Hanoi center: 28 km (40–50 minutes)
- Airport code: HAN
- Country code: +84
- Phone: 024 3886 5047
- Number of terminals: 2 (T1 domestic, T2 international)
- GMT time: +7
Noi Bai International Airport. (Source: Vietnam National Administration of Tourism)
3. Terminal System at Hanoi Airport
Noi Bai International Airport has 2 passenger terminals: Domestic Terminal T1 with an area of 90,000 m² and International Terminal T2 with an area of 139,000 m².
3.1. Domestic Terminal T1
Terminal T1 is located in the southeast of Noi Bai International Airport and is the center for domestic flights, focusing on many Vietnamese airlines. After many renovations, the terminal owns a system of check-in counters, security screening, and modern waiting areas, helping passengers move conveniently.
- Floor 1: Passenger and baggage pick-up area for flights arriving at Noi Bai airport.
- Floor 2: Check-in area, baggage check-in, and departure waiting area.
- Floor 3: Administrative office, reserved for management staff.
- Floor 4: Dining area, restaurant, and souvenir shop.
With convenient design, diverse services, and scientific layout, Terminal T1 of Hanoi Airport offers a comfortable flight experience, meeting both aviation and non-aviation needs.
Panoramic view of T1 terminal, Hanoi airport. (Source: internet)
3.2. T2 International Terminal
The T2 International Terminal northwest of Hanoi Airport was inaugurated in 2015 and is the most modern terminal in the north. With a spacious design, advanced control technology, and quick procedures, T2 offers a convenient experience for passengers. Bilingual signs in Vietnamese and English help international visitors easily navigate Noi Bai Airport.
Built in a wing-shaped model, in harmony with nature, T2 has an investment capital of 18,000 billion VND and meets international standards. With modern infrastructure and high-class services, Terminal T2 of Noi Bai International Airport is an important aviation gateway, connecting Hanoi with the world. The project consists of 4 functional floors:
- Floor 1: International arrival hall
- Floor 2: Immigration procedures, connecting flight area
- Floor 3: International departure hall
- Floor 4: Business lounge and non-aviation services
Noi Bai International Passenger Terminal T2 has served more than 7 million international passengers in the first 6 months of 2025. (Source: Báo Điện Tử Chính Phủ)
4. Airlines at Hanoi Airport
Hanoi Airport is the largest aviation hub in the North, where many domestic and foreign airlines converge. The diversity of domestic airlines from Noi Bai to international helps passengers easily choose from cheap and economical flights to high-class services.
4.1. Noi Bai Domestic Airlines
At Hanoi Airport, there are 5 airlines operating a wide domestic network:
Vietnam Airlines: The national airline, playing a pivotal role with flights covering all provinces and cities.
Vietjet Air: Flexible low-cost options, suitable for passengers who want to save costs.
Bamboo Airways: Focusing on quality flight experiences, operating many niche routes.
Pacific Airlines: Low-cost airline associated with Vietnam Airlines, serving basic travel needs.
Vietravel Airlines: Combining flight services and package tours.
4.2. International flights at Hanoi Airport
Noi Bai International Airport is currently the largest aviation gateway in the North, serving more than 80 international destinations with the participation of about 46 reputable airlines. Some typical airlines include Vietnam Airlines, VietJet Air, Bamboo Airways, Singapore Airlines, Qatar Airways, Emirates, Korean Air, Japan Airlines, ANA, Thai Airways, Turkish Airlines, and Air France.
The direct Hanoi–Addis Ababa route is currently operated by Ethiopian Airlines with a flight time of no more than 3 hours 45 minutes. Although some sources include cargo flights of around 8 hours 40 minutes, the popular passenger route is the direct flight in a shorter time.
Popular international routes from Hanoi Airport include Seoul, Tokyo, Singapore, Bangkok, Paris, Dubai, Frankfurt, London, Istanbul, and many major European and Asian cities.
4.3. New routes at Hanoi Airport
Vietnam Airlines plans to operate direct flights from Hanoi to Munich, helping to shorten the time to Europe. The appearance of these new routes contributes to making Noi Bai an important international connection center, comparable to many major airports in the region.
4.4. Summary of Airlines & New Routes at Hanoi Airport
| Mining group | Airlines | Typical routes | Notes |
| Inland | Vietnam Airlines | HCMC – Hanoi, Danang – Hanoi | National carrier, wide network |
| Vietjet Air | Nha Trang – Hanoi, Quy Nhon – Hanoi | Cheap, flexible | |
| Bamboo Airways | Da Lat – Hanoi, Phu Quoc – Hanoi | Premium service | |
| Pacific Airlines | HCM City – Hanoi | Cheap price with Vietnam Airlines | |
| Vietravel Airlines | Hue – Hanoi | Combine flight & tour | |
| International | Korean Air, Asiana | Seoul – Hanoi | Korea Connection |
| Japan Airlines, ANA | Tokyo – Hanoi | Japan Connection | |
| Singapore Airlines | Singapore – Hanoi | Southeast Asia Transit | |
| Thai Airways | Bangkok – Hanoi | Popular Routes | |
| Emirates, Qatar Airways | Dubai – Hanoi, Doha – Hanoi | Middle East – Europe | |
| Lufthansa, Air France, Turkish Airlines | Munich/Frankfurt – Hanoi, Paris – Hanoi, Istanbul – Hanoi | Europe Connection | |
| Ethiopian Airlines | Addis Ababa – Hanoi | Africa Direct Routes | |
| New route | Vietnam Airlines | Hanoi – Munich (coming soon) | Shorten the European journey |
Airplanes of airlines at Noi Bai International Airport. (Source: internet)
5. Amenities and Services at Hanoi Airport
5.1. Free Services at Hanoi Airport
To enhance the experience, Hanoi Airport offers many free services for passengers before and after the flight:
- High-speed wifi is available throughout the airport.
- Free drinking water is available at many points in the terminal.
- Children can play in the separate entertainment area at T2.
- The resting area for transit passengers is airy and clean.
- Free shuttle bus at Terminal 2
5.2. Shopping and Dining Experience at Hanoi Airport
A journey through Hanoi Airport will become more interesting when you visit the shops and restaurants here. Terminal T2 owns a duty-free shop system, where you can find foreign wines, cosmetics, electronics, and genuine souvenirs at competitive prices.
The cuisine is also very rich, from pho and bun cha—typical Vietnamese dishes—to international restaurants serving European, Japanese, and Korean dishes. Big brand cafes and fast food areas ensure you have many options suitable for your waiting time.
Pho Big Bowl is a modern restaurant chain serving Vietnamese traditional dishes on the 2nd floor, T2 International Terminal, Noi Bai Airport (Source: internet)
5.3. Medical Services and Emergency Assistance
Passengers at Noi Bai International Airport are always safe thanks to the 24/7 medical system. Medical rooms are located in both terminals, ready to receive and handle emergency cases.
In addition, many ATMs, bank counters, and currency exchange points are conveniently located. This helps international visitors easily exchange foreign currency into VND or vice versa to meet their spending needs as soon as they land.
5.4. Internal Transportation and Access to Hanoi Airport
Moving around the airport is easy thanks to the free internal bus system connecting Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. Clear signs help passengers save time finding their way.
For private vehicles, the parking lot has a capacity of thousands of spaces, ensuring safety and reasonable fees from 1 USD/hour.
The pick-up and drop-off area is arranged reasonably for taxis, technology cars, and buses, helping passengers quickly move in and out of the airport.
5.5. VIP Service at Hanoi Airport
VIP service at Hanoi Airport is suitable for business travelers or tourists who want to experience luxury and privacy:
- Fast Track: Support for quick immigration procedures, priced around 35 – 50 USD/person.
- VIP Lounge: Quiet space, free food and drinks, high-speed wifi, price 25 – 35 USD/person/trip.
- High-class private shuttle: Book directly through reputable airlines or travel companies; price is 30 – 45 USD/car, depending on type.
With modern design and spacious space, ACV Business Lounge at Terminal 2, Noi Bai International Airport helps you relax, work effectively or fully enjoy the moments of rest before the flight. (Source: Noi Bai International Airport )
6. How to Get From Hanoi Airport to Hanoi City Center
There are three directions from the airport to the city center:
- Nhat Tan Bridge, Vo Nguyen Giap Street, Thang Long Bridge
- National Highway 3 leads from Chuong Duong Bridge to the intersection with National Highway 2 to Noi Bai Airport.
- The fastest way is to follow Nhat Tan Bridge, only about 28.2 km.
To get from Noi Bai International Airport to the city center, you can choose from a number of means of transport, such as taxi, bus, technology motorbike taxi, service car, etc.
6.1. Bus
Buses are cheap, around 0.34 USD – 2 USD/trip, and travel time is around 1 hour 30 minutes. Below is information on some bus routes from Noi Bai to Hanoi:
| Itinerary | Fare | Frequency |
| Bus 86: Airport – Hanoi Railway Station | About 1.71 USD/pax | 45 minutes/trip: First trip: 7:00; Last trip: 21:30 |
| Bus 68: Airport – Ha Dong Metro | About 2 USD/pax | 35 minutes/trip: First trip: 07:35; Last trip: 22:20 |
| Bus 90: Airport – Cat Linh (Hao Nam) Railway Station | About 0.34 USD/trip
Monthly passes available |
20 minutes/trip: First trip: 6:45; Last trip: 21:30 |
| Bus 07: Airport – Cau Giay | About 0.34 USD/trip
Monthly passes available |
12 – 15 trips/day: First trip: 6:00; Last trip: 22:35 |
| Bus 17: Airport – Long Bien | About 0.34 USD/trip
Monthly passes available |
19 trips/day: First trip: 6:30; Last trip: 22:00 |
There are also routes NB01 (Noi Bai Airport – Dao Tan), NB02 (Noi Bai Airport – Times City Urban Area), NB03 (Noi Bai Airport – Nuoc Ngam Bus Station), etc. To catch the bus, you will wait at the bus stop in the 1st floor lobby of the T1 Domestic Terminal and the 1st floor lobby of the T2 International Terminal.
6.2. Taxi
A taxi is a means of transport with many advantages, such as moving quickly, carrying many passengers, and picking up and dropping off at the destination. However, the price is quite high, about 9.48 USD – 13.27 USD/trip.
Taxi companies pick up and drop off passengers at the 1st floor, the public area between the T1 and T2 terminals of the airport. Taxis operate 24/7; you can choose some reputable taxi companies at Noi Bai airport, such as:
- Noi Bai Taxi: (024) 3886 8888
- ABC Taxi: (024) 3219 1919
- Airport Taxi: (024) 3886 6666
- Thanh Cong Taxi: (024) 3257 5757
Taxi is a popular choice for tourists when traveling to or from Noi Bai airport (Source: internet)
6.3. Service car
In addition to taxis, you can also book an airport shuttle service:
- Limousine or shuttle bus: Transport companies provide shared passenger service at a price of 6 – 10 USD/person.
- Book a private car/VIP transfer: VIP car service from Hanoi airport at a price of 25-40 USD, providing privacy and high-class amenities.
6.4. Technology car
Grab, Be, Baemin, Xanh SM… are popular technology car companies at Hanoi airport with prices ranging from 5.69 USD to 7.58 USD/trip for motorbikes and about 8.34 USD to 13.27 USD for cars.
Note: if you choose to take a motorbike taxi, you will need to walk to the airport gate because motorbikes are not allowed to stop and park at the airport.
7. Experiences to know when arriving at Hanoi Airport
To ensure a smooth trip, passengers should note some experiences:
For international flights, you should arrive at the airport 3 hours in advance to complete procedures on time.
For domestic flights, the recommended time is 2 hours before departure.
If you want a more comfortable experience, you can book VIP or lounge services in advance.
In addition, preparing a 4G SIM or eSIM at the airport is also a convenient solution to ensure connectivity throughout your journey in Vietnam.
8. Tourist attractions near Noi Bai Airport
From Hanoi Airport, visitors can quickly travel to many famous attractions in Hanoi. The most prominent is Hoan Kiem Lake, the symbol of the capital, only about 26 km away. You can also visit the Temple of Literature—the first university in Vietnam, 25 km from the airport.
If you love open space, West Lake, with its romantic scenery, only 21 km away, will be an ideal destination. In addition, the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is about 30 km away, providing a meaningful experience of history and culture.
Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum: A meaningful historical destination for the Vietnamese people (Source: internet)
9. Conclusion
Hanoi airport is not only an important gateway connecting Hanoi with the world but also a place that brings convenient, modern, and rich experiences to passengers. If you want to have a truly complete and luxurious trip from Hanoi airport, let Asia Luxury Travel accompany you, bringing a classy and memorable journey.
10. Contact :
Phone: +84 965 721 426
Email: sales@asialuxurytravels.com
Website: https://asialuxurytravels.com/
Address: No. 9, Alley 31/7, Phan Dinh Giot Street, Thanh Xuan, Hanoi
