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✈️ Flying Around Vietnam in 2025: Airports, Airlines & Routes Guide

  • Writer: Leanne Gayle
    Leanne Gayle
  • 2 days ago
  • 5 min read

Planning your dream trip to Vietnam? Whether you’re landing internationally or hopping between regions like Hanoi, Da Nang, and Phu Quoc, getting your flights sorted is step one to keeping things smooth and stress-free.


At Few Days Halong, we’re all about making travel easy – no confusing options, no dodgy recommendations, just honest, local advice. So here’s our complete 2025 guide to flying in Vietnam: what airports to use, which airlines to book, what to expect when you land – and how to make your itinerary work around it.


Start planning your itinerary now 👉 Custom Itinerary


🗺️ Quick Overview: Major Airports in Vietnam

Airport

City

Type

Best For

Noi Bai (HAN)

Hanoi

International + Domestic

Northern Vietnam, Ha Long Bay, Sapa

Tan Son Nhat (SGN)

Ho Chi Minh City

International + Domestic

Southern Vietnam, Mekong Delta, Cambodia border

Da Nang (DAD)

Da Nang

International + Domestic

Central Vietnam, Hoi An, Hue

Cam Ranh (CXR)

Nha Trang

International + Domestic

Beaches, island resorts

Phu Quoc (PQC)

Phu Quoc Island

International + Domestic

Island holidays, visa-free access for some nationalities

Cat Bi (HPH)

Hai Phong

Domestic (some intl.)

Closest to Ha Long Bay

Van Don (VDO)

Quang Ninh

Domestic (some intl.)

High-end Ha Long cruises

Phu Bai (HUI)

Hue

Domestic

Imperial city of Hue

Can Tho (VCA)

Can Tho

Domestic

Exploring the Mekong Delta

🛬 International Flights: Where to Arrive


Most international travellers arrive at one of four major hubs:


  • Hanoi (HAN) – Gateway to the north – Ha Long Bay, Sapa, Ninh Binh, and the capital’s cultural hub.


  • If you're flying into Hanoi, don't forget to sort your SIM card or eSIM before you head out of the terminal. It’ll save you time (and hassle). 👉 How to Get a SIM or eSIM in Hanoi (2025 Travel Guide)


  • Ho Chi Minh City (SGN) – Best for southern cities, Mekong tours, and regional connections.


  • Da Nang (DAD) – Central access to Hoi An, Hue, and coastal resorts.


  • Phu Quoc (PQC) – Great for a fly-in beach escape, especially from nearby Asian cities.



🛫 Domestic Airlines in Vietnam (2025)


Vietnam’s domestic air network is efficient and growing fast. Here’s what you need to know:


🟩 Vietnam Airlines – National carrier, great service, free snacks and baggage often included.

🟥 VietJet Air – Budget airline with regular flash sales. Cheap, but delays are common.

🟦 Bamboo Airways – Smooth ride, better seats and less chaos. Mid-tier pricing.

🟨 Pacific Airlines – No-frills but decent; best for short internal hops.


🎯 Few Days tip: If you’re tight on time or have connections, book Vietnam Airlines or Bamboo to reduce stress.


✈️ Popular Domestic Routes

Route

Duration

Notes

Hanoi ↔ Ho Chi Minh

2 hrs

Over 30 flights daily

Hanoi ↔ Da Nang

1 hr 20 mins

Quick hop to central Vietnam

Da Nang ↔ Ho Chi Minh

1 hr 30 mins

Coastal-to-city connection

Hanoi ↔ Phu Quoc

2 hrs

Jet route, scenic views on arrival

Ho Chi Minh ↔ Phu Quoc

1 hr

Great for weekend beach trips

Hanoi ↔ Nha Trang (CXR)

1 hr 50 mins

Good for resort breaks

Ho Chi Minh ↔ Hue (HUI)

1 hr 20 mins

Limited daily service – book early!

📍 Which Airport for Which Destination?


🛕 Ha Long Bay → Cat Bi (HPH) and Van Don (VDO) are closer than Hanoi; great if heading straight to the bay.



🏝️ Phu Quoc → Fly direct to PQC from Hanoi, Saigon, Da Nang, or international hubs like Singapore.


🏖️ Hoi An → Nearest airport is Da Nang (DAD), 45–60 mins by taxi/shuttle to Hoi An.


🌄 Sapa → No airport. Fly into Hanoi (HAN) then continue by train, sleeper bus, or private car (5–8 hrs).


🏯 Hue → Use Phu Bai Airport (HUI); short flights from Hanoi/SGN, ~30 mins from city centre.


🍜 Nha Trang → Fly into Cam Ranh (CXR), then transfer ~40 mins to town.


🌾 Mekong Delta → Can Tho (VCA) connects to Hanoi, Phu Quoc, and SGN. Easy base for floating markets.


📦 What to Know Before You Fly


Baggage Allowances: Budget fares rarely include checked bags—add during booking to save money.


⏱️ Delays: VietJet is prone to delays. Mornings are usually smoother. Don’t book a back-to-back connection unless you’ve got time to spare.


📱 Airports & WiFi: Free WiFi everywhere. Some lounges even offer free showers and decent coffee (we’ve tested it 😉).


🚕 Getting To/From Airports:


  • Hanoi (HAN) – ~45 min to city; Grab or pre-booked car recommended

  • HCMC (SGN) – 20–60 mins depending on traffic

  • Da Nang (DAD) – 10 mins to city, 45 mins to Hoi An

  • Phu Quoc (PQC) – 15 mins to most resorts

  • Nha Trang (via CXR) – 40–60 mins, some resorts include free pickup


🌦️ Seasonal Flight Advice


  • Best time to fly: December–April (dry season)

  • 🌧️ Stormy season: May–October, especially for island flights

  • 🛶 Want to avoid weather surprises? Add a buffer day around flights to Phu Quoc or Con Dao


🧳 Frequently Asked Questions


Can I use an e-visa at all airports? → Yes, at most international airports: HAN, SGN, DAD, PQC, CXR, HUI, VDO, HPH


Can I connect through Vietnam on separate tickets? → Yes – but give yourself breathing room. Two hours minimum if changing airlines.


Is flying better than trains or buses? → For long distances, 100%. But for Hanoi to Ninh Binh or Da Nang to Hue, land travel’s more scenic.


Do I need ID to fly? → Yes – passport or Vietnamese national ID. Photos on your phone aren’t accepted.


How early should I arrive? → Domestic: 90 minutes. International: 2.5 hours (more if flying VietJet during peak time).


🧳 Flying Vietnam Loop: North → Central → South (and back again)


Planning to see it all? Flying is the fastest, most efficient way to visit every region of Vietnam in one trip. Here’s how to plan a popular north-to-south loop (or reverse it if you're ending at the beach!):


➡️ North: Start in Hanoi (HAN) → explore Ha Long Bay, Sapa, and Ninh Binh. ✈️ Fly from Hanoi to Da Nang.


➡️ Central: From Da Nang (DAD), drive to Hoi An and Hue. Explore the imperial citadel, lantern-lit streets, and beaches. ✈️ Fly from Da Nang to Ho Chi Minh City.


➡️ South: Land in Ho Chi Minh City (SGN), then explore the Mekong Delta or hop a short flight to Phu Quoc (PQC). ✈️ Want to fly back? Phu Quoc → Hanoi or SGN makes for an easy return.


💡 Few Days tip: This loop is ideal for 10–16 day itineraries. We can help you time flights perfectly to sync with tours, cruises, and transfers. Just ask us to build a custom plan 👉 Start building your itinerary


🧭 Planning Help from Real People


Still not sure which route to take? That’s what we’re here for.

Drop us a message with your trip dates and where you’re heading, and we’ll help you figure out the easiest flight path – with real-time updates, no fluff, and prices you won’t find on big booking sites.


📲 Message us on WhatsApp for fast, friendly help.

 
 
 

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