International Flights

So you've decided to embark on an exciting trip to Vietnam. Great choice! With stunning natural scenery, delicious food, and vibrant culture, Vietnam has so much to offer visitors. The only downside is that it's a long, narrow country, so getting around can be time-consuming if you're limited to buses and trains. The solution? Take to the skies and experience Vietnam from a bird's eye view. Domestic flights within Vietnam are inexpensive, and quick, and provide jaw-dropping aerial views of the country. Read on to discover the best ways to fly around Vietnam so you can make the most of your time exploring this captivating destination.

Flying Into Vietnam: International Airports and Entry Requirements

To visit Vietnam, you'll fly into one of the major international airports. Three main international airports serve Vietnam: Noi Bai International Airport (HAN), Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN), and Da Nang International Airport (DAD). In addition, Phu Quoc now gets international flights from Singapore, making it the fourth international airport in the country.

Before your trip, check Vietnam's entry requirements which typically include a passport valid for 6 months and a pre-approved visa. The easiest way to get a visa is through Vietnam's official e-Visa portal where you can apply online, pay the fee, and receive an e-Visa via email in 3 business days.

Flights from Australia

Flights from Australia depart daily from Sydney, Canberra, or Melbourne to Ho Chi Minh City, with layovers in Taipei, Kuala Lumpur, Darwin, or Bangkok. Flights from Wellington or Auckland have layovers in Kuala Lumpur. Qantas and Vietnam Airlines offer direct flights between Sydney and Ho Chi Minh City, but they can be up to 30% more expensive than other routes. Other airlines that fly between Vietnam and Oceania include Cathay Pacific, Thai Airways, China Southern, and Singapore Airlines.

Flights from North America

Flights from North America depart from various locations. From New York, Korean Air, Cathay Pacific, and American Airlines offer daily flights to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, with connections in Seoul and Hong Kong, respectively. From the West Coast, similar routes connect Los Angeles or San Francisco with Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City.

From Canada, the most popular route from Toronto or Vancouver to Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City is operated by Air Canada or Cathay Pacific, with a short layover in Hong Kong. The wait time for this layover varies between 2 and 5 hours. Korean Air and Japan Airlines also connect Vietnam with major cities in Canada, but the layover time can be tedious between 6 and 12 hours. However, for those who want to see more of the world, this layover time can be ideal, as there are plenty of tours available to see Seoul or Tokyo at the airport.

Flights from Europe

Flights from Europe include direct flights between Hanoi and Paris, Frankfurt, and London offered by Vietnam Airlines. However, better deals between Europe and Vietnam usually involve at least one layover in Hong Kong or Singapore. To find the best prices, it is recommended to shop around with both online and offline travel agencies. For more information on discounted air travel, read our guide.

Flights from Asia

Vietnam is well connected to other countries in Asia with a complex flight network. Bangkok, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, and Hong Kong are destinations with the most flight deals. From Japan and Korea, there are direct flights to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City departing from major ports such as Osaka, Tokyo, Fukuoka, Seoul, and Busan. In the case of China, Vietnam Airlines operates flights from Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Kunming to Hanoi. Direct flights from Ho Chi Minh City to China only land in Beijing or Guangzhou. For Taiwan, China Airlines, Eva Air, and Vietnam Airlines offer daily flights between Hanoi and Taipei or Kaohsiung.