Vietnam Airports: The Complete Guide to International & Domestic Airports

Planning a Vietnam trip becomes much easier once you know where to land. Vietnam airports stretch from Hanoi in the north to Ho Chi Minh City in the south, with important gateways for Central Vietnam, beach destinations and islands in between.

For most international travellers, the three airports that matter most are Noi Bai International Airport (HAN) in Hanoi, Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN) in Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang International Airport (DAD). Phu Quoc and Cam Ranh are also useful if your itinerary focuses on Vietnam's islands or beaches.

If you're travelling on Vietnam tour packages, choosing the right arrival and departure airports can also save you from unnecessary domestic flights and long road transfers.

Vietnam Airports at a Glance

Vietnam currently has 22 operating airports, including major international gateways and smaller regional airports. The Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam's July 2026 coordination list identifies 10 operating airports with international-airport status, although the amount of scheduled international traffic varies considerably between them.

Traveller tip: An airport's “international” designation does not necessarily mean it has frequent direct flights from India or other overseas markets. HAN, SGN and DAD remain the most practical gateways for most first-time Vietnam itineraries. 

The 3 Main International Airports

Noi Bai International Airport (HAN), Hanoi

Noi Bai International Airport is the main airport for Hanoi and the most useful entry point for northern Vietnam.

The airport has two main passenger terminals: T1 handles domestic services, while T2 handles international flights. A free shuttle connects the two terminals, which is useful when arriving internationally and connecting onto a domestic flight.

Noi Bai is outside central Hanoi, so allow roughly 35–60 minutes to reach the Old Quarter depending on traffic.

Choose HAN if your trip includes:

• Hanoi
• Ninh Binh
• Sapa
• Ha Giang
• Ha Long Bay

It is also usually the logical starting point for a north-to-south Vietnam itinerary.

Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN), Ho Chi Minh City

Tan Son Nhat International Airport is Ho Chi Minh City's main airport and one of Vietnam's most important aviation hubs.

Unlike Hanoi's airport, it sits relatively close to the city. The airport reference point is approximately 6 km from central Ho Chi Minh City, although traffic can make the journey feel considerably longer.

A road transfer to District 1 commonly takes around 25–45 minutes, depending heavily on the time of day.

Choose SGN if you're visiting:

• Ho Chi Minh City
• Cu Chi
• Mekong Delta
• Mui Ne
• Southern Vietnam

It is also a useful domestic connection point for Phu Quoc and other destinations in the south.

Long Thanh Airport update: Ho Chi Minh City's future major gateway, Long Thanh International Airport, is not yet open for regular passenger operations as of 8 September 2026. Trial operations are planned between September and November 2026, with official commercial operations targeted for 1 December 2026.

For travellers booking now, SGN therefore remains the airport to use for Ho Chi Minh City.

Da Nang International Airport (DAD)

Da Nang International Airport is the most convenient gateway to Central Vietnam.

Its biggest advantage is location: the airport is only a few kilometres from central Da Nang, making transfers considerably quicker than at Hanoi.

It is also the airport most travellers use for Hoi An, which is roughly 30 km away and usually takes around 35–50 minutes by road depending on traffic.

Choose DAD for:

• Da Nang
• Hoi An
• Ba Na Hills
• My Khe Beach
• Marble Mountains

If Central Vietnam is the main focus of your trip, flying directly into Da Nang can save you a domestic flight from Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City.

Other International Airports

Phu Quoc International Airport (PQC)

Phu Quoc International Airport serves Vietnam's best-known island destination and allows travellers to fly directly onto Phu Quoc without first travelling overland from the mainland.

It is ideal for beach-focused trips or itineraries ending with a few relaxed island days.

International schedules vary seasonally, so travellers coming from India should compare a direct or connecting PQC itinerary against flying into SGN and taking a domestic connection.

Cam Ranh International Airport (CXR)

Cam Ranh International Airport is the main airport serving Nha Trang and the surrounding coast.

It sits outside Nha Trang itself. Current airport information lists fixed one-way airport-to-Nha Trang taxi rates starting at approximately VND 300,000 for a four-seat vehicle, with other operators charging around VND 350,000–400,000 depending on service type.

Choose CXR if Nha Trang and its beach resorts form a major part of your itinerary.

Phu Bai International Airport (HUI)

Phu Bai is the closest airport to Hue and can be useful when your Central Vietnam itinerary is centred on the former imperial capital.

However, international connectivity is much thinner than at Da Nang. For many overseas travellers, flying to DAD and travelling overland between Da Nang, Hoi An and Hue offers more flight choices.

Cat Bi, Van Don, Can Tho and Lien Khuong

Vietnam also classifies Cat Bi (HPH), Van Don (VDO), Can Tho (VCA) and Lien Khuong (DLI) as international airports.

These can be useful for specific regional trips, but international frequencies and routes can be limited. Check the actual flight schedule for your travel date rather than choosing an airport solely because it carries an international designation.

Key Domestic Airports for Travellers

Domestic flights can save significant travel time in a country as long and narrow as Vietnam.

Best Airport for a Full Vietnam Trip

For a first trip covering north, central and south Vietnam, consider an open-jaw itinerary:

Fly into Hanoi (HAN) → travel south → fly home from Ho Chi Minh City (SGN).

This avoids returning to your starting city simply to catch the flight home.

You can then build your route around the best things to do in Vietnam without unnecessary backtracking.

Flying from India: Routes and Entry Points

For Indian travellers, Hanoi (HAN) and Ho Chi Minh City (SGN) are the two most important entry points.

Vietnam Airlines currently lists nonstop Delhi–Hanoi at about 4 hours 15 minutes and Delhi–Ho Chi Minh City at about 5 hours. It also lists direct Mumbai–Ho Chi Minh City services of roughly 5 hours 25 minutes, although frequencies can vary by season and date.

Flights and schedules change frequently, so check India to Vietnam flights for detailed airline options, current routes and fare information rather than using this airport guide for price comparisons.

Which Vietnam airport for Indian flights?

Choose:

• HAN for Hanoi, Sapa, Ha Long Bay and northern Vietnam
• SGN for Ho Chi Minh City, Mekong Delta and southern Vietnam
• DAD if a suitable connection works and Central Vietnam is your primary destination
• PQC when Phu Quoc is the main focus and the available itinerary makes sense

Arrival Basics at Vietnam Airports

A few preparations can make your first hour in Vietnam much smoother.

Immigration and eVisa

Indian passport holders can use Vietnam's eVisa system, and Vietnam's official immigration portal states that an eVisa can be issued for up to 90 days with single or multiple entry.

Major airports including Noi Bai, Tan Son Nhat, Da Nang, Cam Ranh, Phu Quoc, Phu Bai and several others are approved eVisa entry/exit checkpoints.

Keep a digital and offline copy of your visa and check that your name, passport number and intended entry details are correct before departure.

SIM Cards

SIM and mobile-data counters are commonly available in the arrival areas of major airports such as HAN, SGN and DAD.

Airport packages are convenient after a late arrival, although travellers who want to compare plans may find more options after reaching the city.

Currency

Vietnam uses the Vietnamese Dong (VND).

You can exchange a small amount or withdraw cash after arrival, but avoid changing your entire travel budget at the first airport counter without comparing rates.

Grab and Airport Transfers

Grab is widely used for airport transfers in major Vietnamese cities.

Always:

• Book through the official app
• Follow the app's designated pickup instructions
• Match the vehicle registration before getting in
• Ignore drivers approaching you while claiming to be your Grab driver

At Noi Bai, Grab updated its international T2 pickup point in August 2026 to the P1 parking area, so follow the current in-app instructions rather than waiting directly outside the terminal doors.