Complete Guide to Noi Bai International Airport (HAN) – Hanoi, Vietnam

🛬 Welcome to Noi Bai International Airport (HAN)

Located about 27 km from Hanoi Old Quarter, Noi Bai International Airport (HAN) is the second busiest airport in Vietnam. It’s modern, efficient, and welcomes travelers from all around the world, especially those entering with Vietnam e-visas.

📄 Immigration with E-Visa at Hanoi Airport

If you’re arriving with an e-visa, here’s the step-by-step process:

1. Prepare These Documents:
   • A printed copy of your Vietnam e-visa
   • Your passport (valid at least 6 months)
   • Flight ticket or onward travel details
2. Immigration Process:
   • Follow signs to “Foreigners/E-Visa” counters
   • Present documents, get a stamp
   • Usually quick—5 to 15 minutes on average
3. Important Tip:
   • Hanoi immigration is efficient, but lines can be long during peak hours (early morning and late night arrivals)

🧳 Baggage & Customs at HAN

Once through immigration, head to baggage claim:

• Monitors show your flight number and carousel
• Baggage carts are free and easy to find
• Customs is generally smooth unless you’re declaring cash, electronics, or special items

Declare if:

• Bringing over $5,000 in cash
• Carrying drones, large electronics, or high-value items

📶 Get Connected: SIM Card, Wi-Fi & Currency Exchange

💳 Buy a Local SIM Card

SIM card counters are right after customs, offering packages with data + calling:

• Viettel, Vinaphone, and Mobifone available
• Costs: $6–$10 for ~10GB–20GB plans
• Setup is quick and English-speaking staff are available

💰 Currency Exchange & ATM

• Currency exchange counters available before you exit
• Rates are decent but not the best—only exchange a small amount
• ATMs like Vietcombank, BIDV, or Techcombank are reliable

📡 Free Wi-Fi

• Network: “NoiBai Free WiFi”
• Stable for basic browsing and calling Grab/taxi

🚖 How to Get from Hanoi Airport to Old Quarter

Here are your top transportation choices:

Transport	Estimated Cost	Duration	Notes
Taxi (Mai Linh/Vietnam Taxi)	$10–15	40–60 mins	Fixed rate options available
Grab	$9–12	40–50 mins	Reliable but requires local SIM
Airport Minibus/Shuttle	$2–3	60–75 mins	Drops off near Hoan Kiem Lake
Private Transfer	$15–25	40–50 mins	Hotel-arranged or online bookings

❗ Note: Traffic in Hanoi can get very congested between 4 PM – 7 PM.

☕ Food & Essentials at Noi Bai Airport

Looking to grab a bite or essentials before heading out?

• BigBowl: Local noodle dishes like pho
• Highlands Coffee: Try their iced milk coffee or coconut coffee
• Circle K & Ministop: For snacks and bottled water

Pro Tip:
If you land late at night, most stores will still be open at Terminal 2 (international).

🧠 Quick Tips for First-Time Visitors

• Hanoi is cooler than HCMC, especially in winter (Nov–Feb), so pack accordingly
• Download Grab and Google Maps for getting around
• Learn a few Vietnamese words—it goes a long way!👉 Vietnam E-Visa Application
  👉 Vietnam Fast-Track Immigration Support
  👉 FAQ: Vietnam E-Visa Arrival Process