Noi Bai International Airport (Hanoi) – Everything You Need to Know

Noi Bai International Airport, located in Hanoi, is the largest and busiest airport in Vietnam. It serves as the main gateway for international and domestic flights to and from the capital city of Hanoi. With its modern facilities and efficient services, Noi Bai International Airport has become a popular choice for travelers visiting Vietnam. In this guide, we will provide you with all the essential information you need to know about Noi Bai International Airport.

Noi Bai International Airport Quick Facts

• IATA Code: HAN
• Location: Soc Son District, Hanoi, Vietnam
• Distance from City Center: 28km
• Number of Terminals: 2
• Annual Passenger Traffic: 29 million (2019)
• Airlines Operating: Over 50 airlines, including Vietnam Airlines, Vietjet Air, and Jetstar Pacific…
• Runways: 2
• Time Zone: GMT+7

Noi Bai International Airport is named after the village of Noi Bai, which is located near the airport. The airport was first built in 1978 and has undergone several expansions and renovations to accommodate the increasing number of passengers. It is currently ranked as the 45th busiest airport in the world and the second busiest in Vietnam, after Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City.

Noi Bai Airport (HAN) Terminals

Noi Bai International Airport has two terminals – Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. Terminal 1 has been used for domestic flights, while Terminal 2 was opened in 2014 and serves international flights.

Terminal 1: Domestic flights

Since 2014 T1 has been used for domestic flights, Terminal 1 has a total area of 115,000 square meters and can handle up to 24 million passengers per year.

• Check in counters: 98 check in counters located at Hall A, Hall B, Hall E and 4 counters for passenger without checked baggage.
• Baggage claim conveyor: 08 arrival Baggage claim conveyor at Hall A (3 conveyors), Hall B (3 conveyors), Hall E (2 conveyors).
• Flight information display systems: 210 monitors at required locations such as public hall, check in counters, departure lounge, gate, Baggage claim conveyor …
• Boarding gate: 19 gates numbered as: 1, 2, 2A, 3, 3A, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 8A, 9, 9A, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15.
• Information: 02 information counters on the first floor, centre area, adjacent to elevator and on the second floor of Hall E.
• Medical room:  02 rooms located on the first floor, hall A and Mezzanine, hall E.
• Lost and found: 4 counters, of which 2 counters at hall A, B and 2 counters at hall E.
• Service counters: tourism information, book and newspaper, taxi, fast food, souvenir shop…
• Parking positions: 23 parking positions of which 07 PBB positions (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21) and 16 remote parking positions.
• Car park: total area of 17,000 m², with capacity of 373 cars from 04 to 45 seats at peak hour. T1 is now under study for renovation for quality improvement.

The following airlines operate from Terminal 1:

• Vietnam Airlines
• Jetstar Pacific
• Vietjet Air
• Bamboo Airways
• Pacific Airlines

Terminal 2: International flights

Terminal 2 has a total area of 130,000 square meters and put into operation since December 2014. Terminal 2 can handle up to 10 million passengers per year. It has four levels (not mentioning the basement) – first floor, second floor, third floor and fourth floor.

First floor: for international arrival passenger with total floor area of 40,832.60m2.

In the restricted area: Office area and technical area are located along two wings

The centre is designed for duty free, arrival lounge, departure baggage racetrack, baggage claim area, lost and found store, technical rooms. In arrival hall: Information, service counters, foreign exchange counters, ATM, fastfood …

Second floor: For departure passengers and international arrival with total floor areas of 36,928.90m². International Airlines office zone is located on West wing while other offices of other companies in the airports are located on the East wing; in the pubic area: shops, restaurants, locker room…

Third floor: For international departure passenger with total floor area of 36,928.90m². In restricted and sterile area: the center is designed for immigration, security check then centre duty free shop. International departure lougnes, fast food, shops are located on the two wings. There is also play ground in the West wing and VAT refund bank on the East wing. In the public area: check in counters, Information, packaging, ticket counters, souvernir, shops, fast food…

Forth floor: In the sterile area: First and business class lounge, massage service. In the public area: restaurants, shops with total areas of 11,164.40m².

• Parking: There are parking space for private car, employee’s car, bus and taxi.
• Peak hour capacity: 3,000 pax, 23 flights
• Terminal capacity: 10 MPA (from 2015 to 2020) and 15 MPA (2020 to 2030)
• Check in counters: 96 counters divived in 4 islands /B, C/D, E/F, G/H, 10 kiosks check in
• Baggage claim caroussel: 6 units number from one to six
• Information: 2 counters on the first and the third floor
• Customs inspection counters: 8 counters for departure, 6 counters for arrival
• Immigration counters: 44 counters for departures, 44 counters for arrival
• FIDS: 283 monitors mounted on all required location such as public hall, gate lounge, check in counters, baggage claim carrousel…
• Lift, escalator, moving side walk are equipped for movement within floors and areas in the terminal, especially for the assistance to disable persons and elderly persons.
• Medical room: 2 rooms on the third floor, one room on the first floor
• Lost and found counter: 02 counters on the first floor
• Services counters: VAT refund, Tourism information, post, bookstore, taxi counter …
• Duty free shop, restaurants, fast food with free Wifi.
• Boarding gates: 17 gates numbered from 20 to 36 of which 14 boarding bridge gate numbered form 20 to 24 and 28 to 36 and 3 bus gates numbered 25, 26, 27.
• On the apron: 24 parking stands of which there are14 boarding bridge stands and 10 bus stands;

The following airlines operate from Terminal 2:

• Check-in island A: Air Asia, Jeju Air, Hong Kong Airline, Tiger Airway, Vietjet Air …
• Check-in island B: Qatar Airways, Japan Airlines, Jetstar Pacific, Vietjet Air, Ana Airways …
• Check-in island C: Korean Air, Aeroflot Airlines, Eva Air, Air Macau, Mandarin Airlines …
• Check-in island D: Malaysia Airlines, Dragon Air, China Airlines, Asiana Airlines, Cebu Pacific …
• Check-in island E: Thai Airways, Singapore Airlines, Silk Air, Kenya Airways, China Eastern …
  
• Check-in island F: Laos Airlines, China Southern, Vietnam Airlines …
• Check-in island G: Vietnam Airlines …
• Check-in island H: Vietnam Airlines …

Procedures of Arrivals & Departure Flights

Arrivals

Upon arrival at Noi Bai International Airport, passengers will go through immigration and customs procedures. Immigration officers will check your passport and Vietnam visa (if required) before stamping your entry into Vietnam. After that, you will proceed to the baggage claim area to collect your luggage.

If you have nothing to declare, you can go through the green channel at customs. However, if you have goods that need to be declared, you must go through the red channel and declare them to the customs officers.

Once you have cleared immigration and customs, you can exit the airport and continue your journey to Hanoi city center.

Departures

For departure flights, it is recommended to arrive at the airport at least two hours before your scheduled flight time. Upon entering the airport, you will go through security checks and then proceed to the check-in counters. After checking in your luggage, you will go through immigration and security checks before reaching the departure gates.

For international flights, you will need to present your passport, boarding pass, and any required travel documents at immigration. After that, you will go through security checks before reaching the duty-free shopping area and departure gates.

Services in Noi Bai International Airport

Noi Bai International Airport offers a wide range of services to ensure a comfortable and convenient travel experience for its passengers.

Duty-Free Shopping

There are duty-free shops located in both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, offering a variety of products such as cosmetics, alcohol, tobacco, and souvenirs. Passengers can enjoy tax-free shopping before their departure or upon arrival.

Dining Options

There are plenty of dining options available at Noi Bai International Airport, ranging from fast food chains to local Vietnamese cuisine. Some popular restaurants include Pho 24, Burger King, and Starbucks.

Lounges

Noi Bai International Airport has several lounges for passengers to relax and unwind before their flight. These lounges offer comfortable seating, complimentary snacks and drinks, and free Wi-Fi.

Currency Exchange & Banking Services

Passengers can exchange their currency or withdraw money at the various currency exchange counters and ATMs located throughout the airport.

Medical Services

In case of any medical emergencies, there is a medical center located in Terminal 2 that provides basic medical services.

Some of the orther services you can find at the airport include:

• ATMs
• Restaurants and cafes
• VIP lounges
• Baggage wrapping service
• Information counters
• Car rental services
• Lost and found
• Free Wi-Fi access

These are just some of the services available at Noi Bai International Airport to make your travel experience more convenient and enjoyable.

Public Transportation and Taxis

Public Transportation

There are several public transportation options available for travelers to get to and from Noi Bai International Airport.

• Bus: The bus is the most affordable option, with fares starting from 35,000 VND (approximately $1,5 USD). There are several bus routes connecting the airport to different parts of Hanoi city.
• Shuttle Bus: The shuttle bus service is operated by Vietnam Airlines and connects the airport to Hanoi city center. The fare is 50,000 VND (approximately $2 USD).

Taxis

Taxis are a convenient and comfortable way to get to and from Noi Bai International Airport. There are several taxi companies operating at the airport, including Mai Linh, Taxi Group, and Noi Bai Airport Taxi. It is recommended to use only reputable taxi companies to avoid scams.

The estimated taxi fare from the airport to Hanoi city center is around 300,000 VND (approximately $13 USD).

Hotels near Noi Bai International Airport

For travelers with early or late flights, there are several hotels located near Noi Bai International Airport that offer convenient accommodation options.

VATC Sleep Pod Terminal 1 (100 m from Noi Bai International Airport): Set in the public areas of Noi Bai International Airport, VATC SleepPod provides sleeping pods on the second and third floor in Terminal 1. Complimentary WiFi can be accessed in all areas.

VATC Sleep Pod Terminal 2 (200 m from Noi Bai International Airport): Set in the public areas of Noi Bai International Airport, VATC Sleep Pod provides sleeping pods on the second floor in Terminal 2. Complimentary WiFi can be accessed in all areas.

Indochina Airport Hotel (450 m from Noi Bai International Airport): Set in Noi Bai, Indochina Airport Hotel offers accommodation with a garden, free private parking, a shared lounge and a restaurant.

New Airport Hotel (3 km from Noi Bai International Airport): New Airport Hotel features a restaurant, bar and free WiFi throughout the property. Free private parking is available on site.

Family Transit Hotel (2.4 km from Noi Bai International Airport): This hotel is located within the airport terminal, making it a convenient option for travelers with long layovers.

Kawasaki Noi Bai Hotel (2.4 km from Noi Bai International Airport): Kawasaki Noi Bai Hotel offers accommodation with a garden, free private parking, a shared lounge and a restaurant.

Tips and Facts for Noi Bai International Airport

• It is recommended to arrive at the airport at least two hours before your scheduled flight time.
• Make sure to have your passport and travel documents ready when going through immigration and security checks.
• There are free Wi-Fi hotspots available throughout the airport.
• The airport has smoking areas located outside the terminals.
• It is advisable to exchange your currency before arriving at the airport as the exchange rates may not be favorable.
• Be cautious of taxi scams and only use reputable taxi companies.
• If you have a long layover, you can book a room at one of the transit hotels located within the airport.

Conclusion

Noi Bai International Airport is a modern and efficient airport that serves as the main gateway to Hanoi, Vietnam. With its two terminals, numerous airlines, and a wide range of services, the airport provides a seamless travel experience for its passengers. We hope this guide has provided you with all the essential information you need to know about Noi Bai International Airport. Happy travels!