Which Airport Should You Fly Into in Vietnam from India? Here’s the Honest Answer
So you’re planning a Vietnam trip and now you’re stuck on a very common question — Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City?
Or wait, what about Da Nang?
Here’s the short answer: the best airport to fly into depends on where you want to go first in Vietnam — not on which ticket is cheaper.
Pick the wrong airport and you could end up adding 5–6 hours of unnecessary road or domestic flight travel to your very first day.
That’s the kind of thing that kills the energy of a vacation before it even starts.
This guide breaks it down simply.
You’ll know exactly which airport to choose based on your itinerary — and what flight options you have from different Indian cities.
At a Glance — Which Airport Is Right for Your Vietnam Trip?
| Your Itinerary Focus | Best Airport to Land | IATA Code |
|---|---|---|
| Halong Bay, Sapa, Ninh Binh, Hanoi | Noi Bai International Airport, Hanoi | HAN |
| Ho Chi Minh City, Mekong Delta, Phu Quoc | Tan Son Nhat International Airport, HCMC | SGN |
| Hoi An, Hue, Da Nang beaches, Ba Na Hills | Da Nang International Airport | DAD |
| North-to-South full Vietnam trip | Fly into Hanoi, fly out of HCMC | HAN → SGN |
Noi Bai International Airport, Hanoi
IATA CodeHAN
Tan Son Nhat International Airport, HCMC
IATA CodeSGN
Da Nang International Airport
IATA CodeDAD
Fly into Hanoi, fly out of HCMC
IATA CodeHAN → SGN
Hanoi (Noi Bai International Airport) — Best for North Vietnam
If Halong Bay is on your list, Hanoi is your airport. Full stop.
Noi Bai International Airport (HAN) is the main gateway to northern Vietnam and one of the busiest airports in the country.
Once you land, you are roughly 45 minutes from Hanoi city center and about 2.5–3 hours from Halong Bay by road (or 1 hour by seaplane if you want to splurge).
What’s easy to reach from Hanoi:
- Halong Bay — 2.5 to 3 hours by road, most Halong Bay cruises pick you up from Hanoi hotels
- Sapa — 4.5 hours by train or bus (overnight train is a popular choice)
- Ninh Binh — about 2 hours south by road
- Hanoi Old Quarter — 45 minutes from the airport
Who should fly into Hanoi:
- First-time Vietnam visitors doing a classic north-to-south trip
- Anyone with Halong Bay or Sapa as a priority
- Travelers who want to start with culture, history, and landscapes before beaches
Flights from India to Hanoi: Direct flights from Delhi to Hanoi take about 4 hours.
Vietnam Airlines and IndiGo both operate this route.
From Mumbai, you’ll usually connect through Bangkok, Singapore, or Kuala Lumpur — total travel time around 7–9 hours depending on the layover.
Round-trip fares from Delhi to Hanoi start from around ₹17,000–₹25,000 depending on the season and how early you book.
One thing many travelers miss — Hanoi itself needs at least a full day.
The Old Quarter is compact but genuinely interesting.
Hoan Kiem Lake, the Temple of Literature, and the night markets around Ta Hien Street are all worth your time before you head out to Halong Bay.
Planning a Vietnam Trip From India?
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Ho Chi Minh City (Tan Son Nhat Airport) — Best for South Vietnam
Ho Chi Minh City, or HCMC as most travelers call it, is Vietnam’s largest city and its economic hub.
Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN) handles the highest volume of international traffic in Vietnam — which means more direct flight options and generally better fares from Indian cities.
What’s easy to reach from Ho Chi Minh City:
- Mekong Delta — 2–3 hours by road or boat, best done as a day trip or overnight
- Cu Chi Tunnels — 1.5 hours from the city center, a must-visit for history buffs
- Phu Quoc Island — 45-minute domestic flight from HCMC (VietJet, Bamboo, Vietnam Airlines all serve this route; fares start around ₹1,500–₹3,000 one way)
- Mui Ne — about 4 hours by road, great for a beach add-on
Who should fly into Ho Chi Minh City:
- Travelers focused on southern Vietnam and beaches
- Anyone heading straight to Phu Quoc (easiest to connect through HCMC)
- Travelers doing a south-to-north Vietnam trip
Flights from India to Ho Chi Minh City: This is actually where you’ll find the most direct flight options from India.
Air India operates Delhi to HCMC with fares starting around ₹10,930 one way.
VietJet Air flies Mumbai to HCMC directly.
IndiGo and Vietnam Airlines also cover this route from multiple Indian cities. Flight time on direct routes is about 4.5–5 hours.
If you’re doing a full Vietnam trip, many travelers find it more comfortable to arrive in Hanoi and depart from HCMC — or the reverse — so you’re not retracing your steps.
This is called an open-jaw ticket and most airlines and booking platforms support it.
Da Nang International Airport — Best for Central Vietnam
Da Nang is the one most people overlook, but it’s actually the best airport if your Vietnam trip is centered on Central Vietnam.
Da Nang International Airport (DAD) sits right in the middle of the country. From here, you are:
- 30 minutes from Da Nang city center
- 45 minutes to 1 hour from Hoi An (one of the most photogenic towns in all of Vietnam)
- 3 hours from Hue (the ancient imperial capital)
- 20 minutes from Ba Na Hills (the famous French Village with the Golden Bridge)
Who should fly into Da Nang:
- Travelers whose whole trip is built around Hoi An and Hue
- Anyone doing a Central Vietnam focused trip of 5–7 days
- Couples and families who want beaches (My Khe, An Bang) without the chaos of HCMC
Flights from India to Da Nang: Direct flights are fewer — most Indian travelers connect through Bangkok, Singapore, or Kuala Lumpur to reach Da Nang.
That said, it’s still very manageable. IndiGo flies from Delhi with a connection, and fares start around ₹18,000–₹28,000 round trip depending on the season.
Honestly, if your itinerary has Hoi An as the centerpiece, flying into Da Nang and avoiding the bus or domestic flight from Hanoi or HCMC will save you half a day easily.
Direct Flights from India to Vietnam — What’s Actually Available
Here’s a clear picture of what Indian travelers can book right now:
| From India | To Vietnam | Airlines | Type | Approx. Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delhi (DEL) | Hanoi (HAN) | Vietnam Airlines, IndiGo | Direct | ~4 hours |
| Delhi (DEL) | Ho Chi Minh City (SGN) | Air India, Vietnam Airlines | Direct | ~4.5 hours |
| Mumbai (BOM) | Ho Chi Minh City (SGN) | VietJet Air, IndiGo | Direct | ~5 hours |
| Bengaluru (BLR) | Ho Chi Minh City (SGN) | IndiGo | Direct | ~5 hours |
| Chennai (MAA) | Ho Chi Minh City (SGN) | IndiGo, VietJet | Direct | ~5 hours |
| Kolkata (CCU) | Hanoi (HAN) | Vietnam Airlines | Direct/Connect | ~4.5 hours |
| Most Indian cities | Da Nang (DAD) | Multiple via Bangkok/Singapore | Connecting | 7–10 hours |
Vietnam Airlines, IndiGo
TypeDirect
Duration~4 hours
Air India, Vietnam Airlines
TypeDirect
Duration~4.5 hours
VietJet Air, IndiGo
TypeDirect
Duration~5 hours
IndiGo
TypeDirect
Duration~5 hours
IndiGo, VietJet
TypeDirect
Duration~5 hours
Vietnam Airlines
TypeDirect/Connect
Duration~4.5 hours
Multiple connections via Bangkok/Singapore
Duration7–10 hours
If you cannot get a direct flight from your city, Bangkok connections are usually the fastest and most affordable. The transit time through Suvarnabhumi Airport is smooth and most flights connect within 1.5–2 hours.
Not Sure Whether to Book Open-Jaw or Return Flights to Vietnam?
Choosing the right flight combination can be confusing, especially for multi-city Vietnam trips. Share your route and travel dates. We will recommend the best flight option to save time and avoid unnecessary costs.
How to Choose Your Airport: The Simple Decision Framework
Stop overthinking it. Here are the most common trip types and which airport works best:
You’re doing Halong Bay + Hanoi + Sapa → Fly into Hanoi (HAN).
Everything you need is within reach from here.
You’re doing Ho Chi Minh City + Mekong Delta + Phu Quoc → Fly into HCMC (SGN).
Phu Quoc is a quick domestic hop from here.
You’re doing Hoi An + Hue + Da Nang beaches → Fly directly into Da Nang (DAD).
Saves time and a domestic flight.
You’re doing a full north-to-south Vietnam trip in 10–14 days → Fly into Hanoi (HAN), fly out of HCMC (SGN). Book open-jaw tickets.
You have only 5–6 days and want the best of everything → Fly into Hanoi, do Halong Bay, then catch a domestic flight to Da Nang or HCMC.
Vietnam’s domestic flight network is excellent and affordable.
One practical note: domestic flights within Vietnam are cheap and frequent.
VietJet, Bamboo Airways, and Vietnam Airlines connect all major cities.
A Hanoi to Da Nang domestic flight costs around ₹2,000–₹5,000 one way.
So even if you land at the “wrong” airport, fixing it is easy and not expensive.
What Indian Travelers Usually Get Wrong About Vietnam Airport Choices
We talk to a lot of Indian travelers and the most common mistake is booking flights purely on price without thinking about where you’ll land vs.
where you want to go.
Someone books the cheapest ticket to Hanoi but their first stop is Hoi An — and then spends an entire day getting there by bus or adds an unplanned domestic flight.
A slightly pricier ticket directly to Da Nang would have saved money overall.
The second mistake is not considering open-jaw tickets.
A return ticket to HCMC from Delhi might look cheap, but if your trip starts in Hanoi and ends in HCMC, you’ll end up spending 2 extra days backtracking — or buying a domestic flight you didn’t plan for.
Book your flights after you fix your itinerary, not the other way around.
What About Visa? Quick Check for Indian Travelers
Vietnam offers visa-free entry for Indian citizens for up to 45 days as of 2024.
You still need to apply for an e-visa (available online through the official Vietnam immigration portal) or use a visa on arrival.
The e-visa costs around $25 and takes 3 business days to process.
Make sure your passport has at least 6 months validity from your travel date.
Apply for the e-visa at least a week before departure to be safe.
Testimonials
“We were confused between Hanoi and Da Nang since we wanted to see Hoi An.
Roaming Legs suggested we fly into Da Nang directly from Singapore — saved us an entire day.
Hoi An was absolutely incredible and we got 3 extra hours there.” — Priya & Arjun Mehta, Pune | Traveled October 2025
“Booked an open-jaw ticket — landed Hanoi, left from Ho Chi Minh City.
Best decision for a 12-day Vietnam trip.
Roaming Legs sorted the whole routing for us in one WhatsApp conversation.”
— Sameer Kapoor, Delhi | Traveled December 2025
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything Indian travelers need to know about flying to Vietnam, choosing airports, and planning routes.
Should I fly into Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City from India?
It depends on your Vietnam itinerary.
Choose Hanoi if you are exploring northern Vietnam including Halong Bay, Sapa, and Ninh Binh. Choose Ho Chi Minh City if your plans include the Mekong Delta, Cu Chi Tunnels, or Phu Quoc.
For a complete north-to-south Vietnam journey, many travelers fly into Hanoi and return from Ho Chi Minh City.
Which airport in Vietnam has the most direct flights from India?
Ho Chi Minh City's Tan Son Nhat International Airport currently has more direct flight options from India.
Air India, IndiGo, and VietJet Air operate routes from major Indian cities. Hanoi also has direct options, especially from Delhi, but fewer connections from other cities.
Is Da Nang worth flying into directly?
Yes, especially if your trip focuses on Hoi An, Hue, or Central Vietnam beaches.
Da Nang airport puts you close to these destinations and can save significant travel time compared with arriving in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City.
How much do flights from India to Vietnam cost in 2026?
Round-trip flights generally range from ₹17,000 to ₹35,000 depending on your departure city, booking timing, airline, and travel season.
Booking early and avoiding peak holiday periods usually gives better fares.
What is an open-jaw ticket and should I book one for Vietnam?
An open-jaw ticket means arriving in one city and departing from another.
For Vietnam, flying into Hanoi and returning from Ho Chi Minh City is a popular option because it avoids unnecessary backtracking across the country.
Which airport is closest to Halong Bay?
Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi is the main airport used for Halong Bay trips.
Halong Bay is around 2.5–3 hours from Hanoi by road, and most cruise operators arrange transfers from Hanoi hotels.
Can I fly directly from India to Da Nang?
Direct flights are limited.
Most travelers connect through Bangkok, Singapore, or Kuala Lumpur. Total travel time is usually around 7–10 hours depending on the connection.
Is Vietnam visa-free for Indian travelers?
Indian travelers can visit Vietnam under current entry rules with the available visa options.
Always check the latest Vietnam immigration requirements before booking flights, as entry policies can change.
Which airport should I use if I am visiting Phu Quoc?
The easiest route is usually flying into Ho Chi Minh City and taking a domestic flight to Phu Quoc.
The domestic flight takes around 45 minutes and is often affordable compared with other routing options.
When should Indian travelers book Vietnam flights for the best fares?
Booking 6–8 weeks before departure usually gives a good balance of price and availability.
December–January and April–May are popular travel periods, so fares often increase. September–October and February–March can offer better value.
Which city is better for first-time visitors — Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City?
Both cities offer different experiences.
Hanoi is ideal for travelers who enjoy history, local culture, and nearby nature experiences. Ho Chi Minh City is better for modern city life, food experiences, and southern attractions.
For a first full Vietnam trip, a Hanoi-to-Ho Chi Minh City route works very well.
How long is the flight from India to Vietnam?
Direct flights from Delhi or Mumbai to Vietnam generally take around 4–5 hours.
With a connection through Bangkok, Singapore, or Kuala Lumpur, total travel time is usually around 7–10 hours depending on the layover.
