Checked on October 27, 2026

Noi Bai International Airport (HAN), Hanoi

Sân bay quốc tế Nội Bài

Hanoi's only commercial airport sits about 30 km north of the Old Quarter. International flights use Terminal 2, domestic flights Terminal 1. Here is what to expect on arrival, how to get into the city and what each option really costs.

Code: HAN · VVNB
To the Old Quarter: 28–32 km
Terminals: T1 · T2
E-visa: accepted

In short

International flights: Terminal 2. Domestic flights: Terminal 1, about 800 m away by free shuttle bus.
To the Old Quarter: 40 to 60 minutes by car, longer at rush hour. Grab is the easiest choice for most travellers; bus 86 is the cheapest.
The e-visa is accepted at Noi Bai. Print your approval letter and keep it with your passport.

Terminals

T1Domestic

Domestic flights only (Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, Phu Quoc, Nha Trang…). Smaller and quicker to get through.

T2International

Every international arrival and departure: immigration, duty-free, international lounges. Opened in 2015.

Connecting from an international to a domestic flight on separate tickets means clearing immigration in T2, collecting your bags and checking in again at T1. Allow at least three hours.

International arrival, step by step

1
Immigration
Passport and printed e-visa approval letter, or your visa exemption. Waits range from under 15 minutes to over an hour when several long-haul flights land together.
2
Baggage reclaim
Belt screens list your flight. Trolleys are free.
3
Customs
Green channel if you have nothing to declare. Cash above USD 5,000 or the equivalent must be declared.
4
Arrivals hall
ATMs, exchange counters and SIM kiosks before the exit. Change only a small amount here: rates are better in town.

Getting to the Old Quarter

Option	Time	Price	Luggage
Grab carApp	40–60 min	₫300,000 – ₫450,000≈ $12 – $18	Easy
Metered taxiTaxi	40–60 min	₫350,000 – ₫500,000≈ $14 – $20	Easy
Airport bus 86Bus	45–60 min	approx. ₫45,000≈ $2 · per person	Limited
Private transferTransfer	40–60 min	₫500,000 – ₫800,000≈ $20 – $31	Easy

Indicative prices in Vietnamese dong (VND), per vehicle unless stated. Fares rise at night, in heavy rain and around Tet.

Grab car

Fixed price shown in the app before you book. Pickup zones are signposted outside the T2 exits. If a driver asks you to cancel and pay cash, don't.

Metered taxi

Use the official rank outside arrivals (Mai Linh, Vinasun, Xanh SM electric taxis). Make sure the meter starts at the kerb; walk past anyone who approaches you inside the terminal.

Airport bus 86

Express bus to central Hanoi with stops near the Old Quarter. Limited room for large suitcases. Check the last departure on arrival if you land late.

Private transfer

Driver waiting with a name sign, fixed price, flight tracked. Worth it for late-night arrivals, families and first visits.

Book a private transfer

Allow 90 minutes or more at evening rush hour, in heavy rain and around Tet.

Fast track at immigration

A fast-track service walks you through a priority lane at immigration (and security on departure). Useful when several long-haul flights land at once, during Tet and in peak weeks. Book ahead: availability on the spot is not guaranteed.

See fast-track options

Visa and e-visa at Noi Bai

Noi Bai is one of the international airports where the Vietnamese e-visa is accepted. Many passports enter visa-free for a limited stay; everyone else applies online before the trip.

E-visa fee: US$25 single entry · US$50 multiple entries
Maximum stay: up to 90 days
Processing: about 3 working days (apply at least 7 days ahead)
Official portal: evisa.gov.vn

39 nationalities can enter without a visa under the general rules.

E-visa step-by-step guide

Your passport

Mobile data on arrival

Viettel, Vinaphone and Mobifone sell tourist SIM cards in the arrivals hall (passport required). An eSIM bought before you fly works as soon as you land and skips the queue.

Compare Vietnam eSIMs

Hotels near Noi Bai airport

For a very early flight or a late arrival, a night near the airport saves the ride into town.

See hotels near the airport

Flying out

Arrive 2 hours before an international flight (T2) and 90 minutes before a domestic one (T1); add an hour at peak times. From the Old Quarter, leave at least 3 hours before an international departure.

Tips

Keep the e-visa printout with your passport, not in your checked bag.
Have small notes ready for the bus: drivers rarely break large ones.
Screenshot your hotel address in Vietnamese for the driver.
Check your terminal before booking a transfer, especially for domestic connections.

Frequently asked questions

Is Noi Bai the same as Hanoi airport?

Yes. Noi Bai International Airport (HAN) is the only commercial airport serving Hanoi, about 30 km north of the city centre.

Which terminal do international flights use at Noi Bai?

Terminal 2 handles all international arrivals and departures. Domestic flights use Terminal 1, linked by a free shuttle bus.

How do I get from Noi Bai airport to the Old Quarter?

Grab or a metered taxi takes 40 to 60 minutes. Bus 86 is the cheapest option but has little room for luggage. A pre-booked private transfer is the simplest for late arrivals and families.

Can I enter Vietnam at Noi Bai with an e-visa?

Yes, Noi Bai is one of the airports where the Vietnamese e-visa is accepted. Check whether your passport needs one with our visa checker.

Is there a fast track at Noi Bai airport?

Yes, priority immigration services exist for arrivals and departures. They must be booked in advance.

Other airports

Prices and times are indicative ranges checked on October 27, 2026; they change with traffic, weather and season. Visa information comes from our visa rules register, updated from official sources.