Noi Bai international airport (Airport code: HAN, Local time: GMT+7) is the biggest transport hub in Northern Vietnam, 30 kilometers far from the center city of Hanoi. Noi Bai International Airport combines the civil air operation in the South and military air operation in the North of the Runway. The Airport can serve non-routine flights and private aircrafts. It plays an important economic, geographical, political position and is a significant transit point for the flight route from Europe, South Asia to Southeast Asia, Northeast Asia and the Asia Pacific region – the potential economic areas. On the other hand, Noi Bai airport was located in clement climate area of the northern of Vietnam, with many attractive landscapes. This is an advantage and an edge for the airport to evolve as a hub of the region and the world.
Passenger Terminal:
- Domestic Terminal (Nhà ga T1): 115.000m2, Capacity of 15-million passengers per year.
- International Terminal (T2): 139.216m2, Capacity of 10-million passengers per year (15-million passengers per year is possible)
1. Two terminals: Domestic and International
The airport has two terminals: T1 (Domestic terminal) and T2 (International terminal). The distance between terminal T1 and T2 is about 850m. Both of the terminals have 4 floors fully equipped with modern and professional services such as restaurants, duty-free shops, transportation to Hanoi, free wifi, and massage services.
Hanoi Domestic Airport (Noi Bai Domestic Airport)
Terminal T1 is the domestic airport. This is where Vietnam Airlines, Vietjet, and Jetstar are located.
The building has 4 floors:
1st floor: Arrival domestic passenger
2nd floor: Departure domestic passenger
3rd floor: Office
4th floor: Restaurants and Cafes.
There are 3 halls on the departure floor with more than 100 check-in counters and 3 kiosk check-in counters:
Check-in counters from number 01 to 30 is in Hall A
-Use for passengers of Vietnamese Airlines and Vietjet Airlines (SGN – HAN route)
Check-in counters from number 31 to 60 is in Hall B
-Use for passengers of Vietnam Airlines
Check-in counters from number 101 to 138 is in Hall E
-Use for passengers of Vietjet Airlines (route to other cities), Hai Au and Vasco.
Hanoi International Airport (Noi Bai International Airport)
Terminal T2 is the international terminal. Currently, there are 22 international airlines that operate out of Noi Bai international airport. Some of which include Vietnam Airlines, Pacific Airlines, Hong Kong Airlines, AirAsia, Thai Airways, Cathay Pacific, Lao Airlines, and Tiger Airways.
The building also has 4 floors:
1st floor: Arrival international passenger
2nd floor: Immigration of arrival international passenger
3rd floor: Departure international passenger
4th floor: VIP, business lounge, and airlines representative office
New International Terminal 2 opened at the end of 2014 that offers 96 check-in counters, 10 self-service kiosks, 17 boarding gates and 283 flight information display systems.
Vietnam Airlines passengers check in at islands E/F, G/H
Other airlines passengers check in at islands A/B, C/D
2. International arrival passengers.
2a.Fly into Vietnam
Go through this process (4 steps):
- Quarantine and immigration check
- Baggage claim
- Customs inspection
- Arrival hall
2b.Obtaining Visa On Arrival
When you arrive at Noi Bai airport, head to the Landing VISA (visa on arrival) Counter, present the following:
- Original Passport (06 months of validity from entry date)
- 02 photos (passport size of 4*6cm)
- Arrival/Exit Form
- Approval Letter (Received by email)
- Cash for stamping fees in VND or USD ($25 for single visa, $50 for multiple visa)
Process:
- Fill up the arrival form at the airport with your corrected information. You can also do this step in advance by download the Visa On Arrival Form.
- Provide the form and all things above to Immigration Officer and wait for your stamped visa.
Note: Fast Track service is always recommended to avoid long queuing at Noi Bai airport.
2c. Fly out of Vietnam
There are 4 check-in islands, 96 check-in counters, and 10 kiosk check-ins.
- Enter departure hall on the 3rd floor of T2 terminal
- Present air ticket and personal document.
- Present boarding pass and personal documents at immigration check.
- Security check & custom clearance.
- Check boarding gate and board your flight.
Domestic flights within Vietnam
- Enter departure hall on 2nd floor of T1 terminal
- Present air ticket and personal documents to do check-in
- Go through Security check
- Approach departure lounge and get ready to board
Connecting flights
International connecting flights:
Check-in counters are located on the 2nd floor.
- Skip the immigration process
- Go to the 3rd floor for security check for passengers and handheld luggage
- Take the procedures for international arrival passenger
Domestic connecting flight:
- Follow immigration procedures for international arrival passenger
- Go to T1 terminal, using free shuttle bu
- Check-in for domestic flight
3. Information desks
T2 terminal: there are 2 desks in the public hall on the 3rd and 1st floor. You can also contact them via a 24/7 hotline: (+8424) 35 876 611.
T1 terminal: there are information counters on the 1st floor of the public hall, and another one on the connection bridge on the 2nd floor of hall A and E. They are reachable at (+8424) 35 843 004.
4. Hanoi Airport food
When you have a connecting flight or a little time to kill before your departure, it’s a good idea to grab some food. Noi Bai airport has many options in both T1 and T2 terminal. The choices vary between Vietnamese cuisine and fast food international cuisine; not to mention comfortable coffee shops with a good view of the airplanes and runway. All places have 24/7 service, free wifi, and outlets to charge your phone or laptop.
T2 terminal:
Before Security:
3rd floor – West wing: Cafe and Fastfood, Lucky Café, and Skyboss Cafe & Fastfood
1st floor and 3rd floor: Burger King, Star Cafe, Chill, and BigBowl
Departure hall
3rd floor – East wing: Fastfood & Drink, Bamboo Cafe & Fastfood, Fresh Garden, and Coffee PB’s Boutique
3rd floor: Burger King, Star Cafe, Popeyes, and Two Tigers
T1 terminal:
Before security: Ngoc Suong Restaurant (1st and 4th floor), Lucky Cafe (1st and 4th floor), Coffee-Fastfood (1st, 3rd and 4th floor), Aero cafe (1st floor), Bamboo Cafe & Fastfood (2nc floor, Hall E), Cafe & Fastfood (2nd floor, Hall E)
Departure lounge: Food and Drink (2nd floor, Hall E), Fastfood (2nd floor, Hall A, and B)
Note: After the security check, there are not many options so it’s better to grab food before you go through security
8. Free services in the airport
Internet, wifi
You can easily access the internet with your portable devices in either T1 or T2 terminal. The connection is not too fast but it is usable. You need to look for the available network called: “NoiBai Airport Free Wi-fi.” Then, open your web browser to the login page. Finally, fill in the form or click “Access” to connect to the wifi. The wi-fi system will occasionally reset. If this happens, just re-login.
Free water
Hanoi airport has free water service in each terminal. You can look for it here:
T1 terminal: departure lounges on 2nd floor, Hall A, B, E
T2 terminal: before security on 3rd floor, near gate 21, 25, 32, 35
Free chargers
Each terminal has provided 10 chargers for regular phones, as well as outlets for those who want to use a laptop. Find them here:
T2 terminal:
Before security (3rd floor): beside information counter.
Departure lounge (2nd floor): the locations near gate 21, 22, 23, 28, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35.
T1 terminal:
Before security (3rd floor): Hall A and Hall B
Departure lounge (2nd floor): Hall A, B, E
9. First Aid
In case of emergency, there is a 24/7 daily first aid service in Noi Bai airport. There are 3 first aid rooms equipped with medicine and other necessary facilities. The doctors and nurses will appear within 10 minutes after your request.
Request first aid service:
- Airport attendants: should you need any help on requesting the first aid service, you can talk to your nearest airport staff.
- Medical emergency team: You can also call the medical team through the airport controlling center via this number: (+844) 35876600 – Ext: 6300.
Where to find the first aid room:
T2 terminal: Arrival Hall (1st floor) and departure lounge (3rd floor)
T1 terminal: Arrival Hall A (1st floor)
10. Travel to the city
The distance from the airport to the city center is around 30 km, but it will take about an hour of driving. Noi Bai airport offers a few transportation options to get to the city center: Grab, taxi, coach, and bus.
11. Hotels near Hanoi airport
Spending 6 to 8 hours sitting at the departure lounge waiting for your connecting flight can be very uncomfortable, not to mention boring. You also don’t want to waste your time traveling 2 hours to the city center and back. Instead, think about renting a room in the airport area. It would be awesome to rest after a long flight and take a shower to get ready for the upcoming trip. Here are some recommendations for hotels in the area:
Airport sleep pod (inside the airport)
Noi Bai airport has a sleep pod service located within the airport for those looking for a private place to relax. The rooms are well-designed and equipped with basic items such as AC, television, clothes hangers, wifi, and an alarm clock. They also offer free snacks and drinks, and restaurant vouchers for customers.
Where to find it.
T2 terminal: 2nd floor
T1 terminal: 2nd and 3rd floor
