Noi Bai International Airport (HAN): Hanoi Airport Guide

Hanoi's international airport, Noi Bai (HAN), sits about 30 km north of the Old Quarter across the Red River in Soc Son district. The transfer takes 35–60 minutes depending on traffic. There are two completely separate terminals and a 5-minute shuttle bus between them.

Layout

• Terminal 1 (T1) — all domestic flights. Vietnam Airlines, Bamboo, Vietjet, Pacific. Older, smaller, but everything works.
• Terminal 2 (T2) — all international flights. Newer, larger, glass-and-steel design that opened in 2015. Better food and shopping.

Between them is a free shuttle bus that runs every 15 minutes and takes 5 minutes. If you're connecting domestic-to-international or vice versa, allow at least 90 minutes for the change, more in rush hour. There's a covered walking path but with luggage you'll want the bus.

Getting into Hanoi

Five real options:

Mode	Cost	Time	Notes
Public bus 86	45,000 VND	50–70 min	Stops at Old Quarter and Hanoi station. Comfortable, aircon, runs ~5am to ~10pm.
Public bus 17	9,000 VND	90+ min	Cheap, slow, locals. Drops at Long Bien.
Grab / Xanh SM car	280k–360k VND	35–60 min	Pickup zone is on the lower level of departures (signed in English).
Airport taxi from the rank	350k–450k VND	35–60 min	Use the official taxi desk inside arrivals, not touts in the hall.
Pre-booked private transfer	350k–500k VND	35–60 min	Driver waits with a sign. Worth it after a long-haul flight.

The Bus 86 stop is signed on arrivals level outside both T1 and T2. Buy the ticket on the bus from the conductor. Pay in small notes; they don't break a 500k.

For Grab and Xanh SM, the pickup zone is well-organised and free. Don't accept rides from anyone approaching you in the arrivals hall — same logic as taxi meter scams.

Lounges

T2 has the most options. The Song Hong Business Lounge and Apricot Lounge accept Priority Pass, LoungeKey and most premium-card programmes. Both have showers, a hot buffet, and a quiet zone. The Vietnam Airlines Lotus Lounge is for VN business class and SkyTeam Elite Plus. T1's domestic lounges are basic — snacks and instant noodles — and not worth a paid entry.

SIM cards and wifi

Free airport wifi is available throughout both terminals. Speed is fine for messaging.

SIM kiosks (Viettel, Vinaphone, Mobifone) sit just after immigration in T2 arrivals. Tourist SIM with 30 days of data is around 200,000–300,000 VND. Passport required. Convenience cost is roughly double what you'd pay at a Viettel shop in the city — see SIM cards and mobile data for the proper rundown.

Food and ATMs

T2 has the better food, including a 24-hour Pho 10 outlet (the central one near the gate F area) which is the only sensible place to eat at the airport. T1 has a basic food court that's fine for a coffee.

ATMs from Vietcombank, BIDV, Agribank and Techcombank are scattered on arrivals level in both terminals. Use a bank ATM, not the "Euronet" yellow machines, which charge significant fees. Background on cash and cards in money and banking.

Arriving advice

Immigration queues at T2 can run 30–60 minutes when several long-hauls land together (late evening and early morning). E-visa holders queue separately and usually clear faster. Baggage carousels are reliable.

Most foreign visitors no longer need a visa stamp on arrival; check the current visa policy before you fly, and have your e-visa printout ready.

Once you've got a SIM and cash, the easiest first move is to open Grab, choose your hotel, and walk to the pickup zone. You'll be in your room within 90 minutes of stepping off the plane. From there, see the Hanoi guide.