Seaplane operators in Vietnam
Hai Au Aviation and other Vietnamese seaplane services to Ha Long Bay — routes, prices, and the experience.
Vietnam's seaplane sector is small but distinctive. A handful of aircraft operate scenic and point-to-point routes over the limestone karsts of the north and the river delta coastline — services you will not find anywhere else in Southeast Asia at this price point.
Vietnamese seaplane landscape
Commercial seaplane operations in Vietnam are limited to a single active operator at the time of writing. Hai Au Aviation holds the licences and aircraft to run scheduled and charter floatplane services, primarily connecting Hanoi and Cat Bi (Hai Phong) with landing zones on Ha Long Bay. A second operator, Viet Air Service, has at various points announced expansion plans, but flights have not reached a reliable scheduled status as of 2026. Treat any competitor routes you read about online as worth double-checking before booking.
The regulatory framework sits under the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV). Seaplanes operate under the same general aviation rules as other commercial carriers, which means schedules are subject to weather holds, maintenance windows, and seasonally adjusted timetables. The upside is that safety oversight follows the same formal framework as the rest of the domestic aviation sector.
Hai Au Aviation
Hai Au Aviation was established in 2014 and operates a small fleet of Viking Air DHC-6 Twin Otter Series 400 aircraft modified for water landings. The Twin Otter is a well-regarded regional turboprop with a strong safety record in coastal and remote operations. The company markets both scenic loop flights and one-way transfers that replace part of a Ha Long Bay itinerary.
Hai Au's base of operations is Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi and Cat Bi International Airport near Hai Phong. Their Ha Long Bay water landing zone is positioned in Bai Chay harbour, close to the main tourism district. The company also runs charter flights for private groups, corporate bookings, and filming crews.
If you search for competitors, you may find references to Northern Vietnam Air Services or similar — verify any operator's current CAAV status before handing over payment, as the sector has seen businesses pause and restart over the years.
Routes available
Hai Au's core scheduled offerings as of early 2026 are:
- Hanoi (Noi Bai) to Ha Long Bay — approximately 45 minutes. This is their flagship transfer route and replaces the three-to-four-hour bus or car journey on the same corridor.
- Hai Phong (Cat Bi) to Ha Long Bay — approximately 25 minutes. Useful if you are arriving on a domestic flight into Hai Phong rather than Hanoi.
- Ha Long Bay scenic loop — a 25 to 45-minute circuit over the karst islands without a water landing. Often sold as an add-on at the start or end of a cruise.
Charter routes to the Red River Delta, Lan Ha Bay, and Cat Ba Island have been operated on request. Confirm availability directly with Hai Au, as charter options depend on fleet availability and season.
Indicative prices
Prices below are estimates based on publicly listed fares and should be verified at the time of booking. Fares fluctuate with fuel costs, season, and promotional periods.
| Route | Estimated one-way fare (USD, 2026) |
|---|---|
| Hanoi to Ha Long Bay | 130 to 160 per person |
| Hai Phong to Ha Long Bay | 80 to 110 per person |
| Ha Long Bay scenic loop (25 min) | 80 to 100 per person |
| Ha Long Bay scenic loop (45 min) | 120 to 150 per person |
Group and cruise-package discounts are sometimes available when booked through tour operators. Children's fares are typically offered at a reduced rate; check the current policy directly with the operator. Luggage allowances on small aircraft are strict — most routes limit checked bags to 10 kg per person.
The flight experience
The Twin Otter carries between nine and fourteen passengers depending on configuration. There is no cabin crew serving drinks; it is a working transfer aircraft with large windows and reasonable headroom. Most passengers describe the 45-minute Hanoi-to-Ha Long run as genuinely spectacular — the aircraft descends over the karst towers of Ha Long Bay before touching down on the water and taxiing to a floating dock.
The water landing itself is smooth in calm conditions. The aircraft is certified for it, and the crew perform these landings routinely. Passengers with a strong fear of flying or motion sickness should be aware that small turboprops feel turbulence more noticeably than wide-body jets, and the descent over the bay can involve banking turns for the scenic approach.
Photography is good from the window seats. The best light for karst scenery is morning, roughly 07:00 to 10:00. Book window seats when you confirm if the booking system allows it, or ask at check-in.
Booking and weather
Hai Au accepts bookings through their own website, through major online travel agencies (OTAs), and through cruise and tour operators who package the flight with a bay cruise. Booking at least a week in advance is sensible in high season (October to April). Last-minute seats are sometimes available but the aircraft fills quickly on the Hanoi route.
Weather is the main variable. Ha Long Bay sits in a tropical monsoon climate. Summer months (May to August) bring occasional typhoon warnings and low cloud that grounds VFR-rated operations. Hai Au will reschedule or refund weather-cancelled flights; confirm the exact policy before you pay. Always have a backup land-transfer plan — the road from Hanoi to Ha Long is well served by tourist bus and private car.
When it makes sense
The seaplane is worth the premium if time is your constraint or if Ha Long Bay is the centrepiece of your trip and you want to arrive from the air. For travellers visiting Vietnam's best places to visit across multiple regions, the scenic loop format is a sensible alternative — you see the bay from altitude without committing to a transfer that only makes sense if you are starting or ending in Hanoi.
It is less compelling if you have already booked an overnight cruise that includes a transfer, since most cruise operators run comfortable shuttle buses from Hanoi for a fraction of the cost. In that case the scenic loop flight, booked separately, gives you the aerial perspective without duplicating your transfer.
Common pitfalls
- Booking through unofficial resellers. Some smaller booking sites list Hai Au fares but are not authorised agents. Pay via the operator's official channels or a well-known OTA to protect your booking.
- Luggage over the limit. The 10 kg checked limit catches travellers off guard. Overweight bags may be refused or charged at a high per-kg rate.
- Assuming the schedule is fixed. Seasonal timetable changes happen. Re-confirm your flight 48 hours before departure.
- Mixing up Cat Bi and Noi Bai. If your onward domestic flight departs from Noi Bai (Hanoi) but your seaplane drops you at Cat Bi (Hai Phong), you have a 90-minute road transfer ahead of you. Plan accordingly.
- Weather in July and August. These are the highest-risk months for cancellation. Travel insurance that covers weather delays is worth considering if your itinerary has tight connections.
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