International Airports in Vietnam: Every Gateway You Can Fly Into
Vietnam runs nine international airports spread along its long, thin coastline. Three of them, Tan Son Nhat in Ho Chi Minh City, Noi Bai in Hanoi, and Da Nang in the centre, handle the bulk of international traffic. The other six, Cam Ranh, Phu Quoc, Hai Phong (Cat Bi), Da Lat (Lien Khuong), Can Tho, and Phu Bai (Hue), are smaller gateways that mostly serve regional flights, charter services, or specific resort routes.
For Indian travellers, the practical answer to “how many international airports in Vietnam can I fly into?” is four, out of the total of nine international airports in Vietnam that operate today. Direct flights from India land at Tan Son Nhat (SGN), Noi Bai (HAN), Da Nang (DAD), and Cam Ranh (CXR). Everything else requires a connection, usually through one of those four.
Below is the complete list, what each airport is good for, and how to choose the right one based on your itinerary.
Quick Answers
| What | Answer | Price (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| How many international airports in Vietnam? | 9 (SGN, HAN, DAD, CXR, PQC, HPH, DLI, VCA, HUI) | ₹0 |
| Which ones take direct flights from India? | SGN, HAN, DAD, CXR (via VietJet, IndiGo, Air India) | ₹0 |
| Cheapest one-way from India? | Delhi to Hanoi on VietJet, ~6h direct | ₹8,500 (~$88.17) |
| Cheapest round trip from India? | Mumbai to Ho Chi Minh City, VietJet | ₹14,000 (~$145.22) |
| Do I need a Vietnam e-Visa first? | Yes. Apply at the official portal 3+ days before | ₹2,410 (~$25) |
The 9 International Airports in Vietnam (Map + List)
Vietnam stretches 1,650 km from north to south, and the airports line up the way you’d expect: northern cluster around Hanoi and Hai Phong, central cluster around Da Nang, Hue, and Cam Ranh, southern cluster around Ho Chi Minh City, Phu Quoc, Can Tho, and Da Lat.
Here’s the full list from north to south:
| Airport | Code | City | Region | Indian Direct Flight? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Noi Bai | HAN | Hanoi | North | Yes (VietJet, IndiGo, Air India) |
| Cat Bi | HPH | Hai Phong | North | No (Vietnam Airlines from Bangkok, Taipei) |
| Phu Bai | HUI | Hue | Central | No (Vietnam Airlines from Bangkok, Singapore) |
| Da Nang | DAD | Da Nang | Central | Yes (VietJet from Mumbai/Delhi) |
| Cam Ranh | CXR | Nha Trang | Central | Yes (IndiGo, VietJet charter) |
| Tan Son Nhat | SGN | Ho Chi Minh City | South | Yes (VietJet, IndiGo, Air India) |
| Can Tho | VCA | Can Tho | South | No (Vietnam Airlines from Bangkok) |
| Phu Quoc | PQC | Phu Quoc Island | South | No (VietJet, Scoot from Singapore/KL) |
| Lien Khuong | DLI | Da Lat | South | No (Vietnam Airlines from Bangkok) |
Phu Quoc is worth flagging. It got international status in 2019 and Vietnam is actively pushing it as a beach-resort gateway, but as of mid-2026 there are still no direct flights from India. Travellers fly into Tan Son Nhat and connect onward, or come via Bangkok or Singapore.
Direct Flights from India to Vietnam (2026)
Here’s where it gets practical. Three Indian carriers and one Vietnamese low-cost carrier run direct India-Vietnam routes in 2026.
| Airline | Route | Frequency | Duration | Typical One-Way |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| VietJet Air | Delhi to Hanoi | 4x/week | ~6h | ₹8,500 (~$88.17) to ₹14,000 (~$145.22) |
| VietJet Air | Mumbai to Ho Chi Minh City | 3x/week | ~5h 30m | ₹9,000 (~$93.36) to ₹15,000 (~$155.60) |
| VietJet Air | Mumbai to Da Nang | 2x/week | ~5h 30m | ₹10,000 (~$103.73) to ₹16,000 (~$165.97) |
| IndiGo | Mumbai to Ho Chi Minh City | Daily | ~6h | ₹11,000 (~$114.10) to ₹17,000 (~$176.34) |
| IndiGo | Delhi to Hanoi | 3x/week | ~6h | ₹10,000 (~$103.73) to ₹15,000 (~$155.60) |
| IndiGo | Bengaluru to Ho Chi Minh City | 3x/week | ~5h 45m | ₹11,000 (~$114.10) to ₹16,000 (~$165.97) |
| Air India | Delhi to Ho Chi Minh City | 3x/week | ~6h | ₹14,000 (~$145.22) to ₹22,000 (~$228.21) |
| Air India | Delhi to Hanoi | 2x/week | ~6h | ₹15,000 (~$155.60) to ₹23,000 (~$238.58) |
VietJet Air is the cheapest, usually 15-25% below IndiGo, but the baggage allowance is tighter (7 kg cabin, 20 kg checked on international, no free meal). IndiGo sits in the middle on price and reliability. Air India is the full-service option: included baggage, meals, and a slight reliability bump if a connection goes sideways.
Subodh’s Pro Tip: Book VietJet 6 to 8 weeks out. Within 30 days, fares climb to ₹18,000 (~$186.71)+ one-way on the same routes. IndiGo holds steadier prices, but the lowest fares still load 5 to 7 weeks before departure.
For everything not in that table, you connect through Singapore (Changi), Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi), or Kuala Lumpur (KLIA). VietJet, Scoot, AirAsia, and Vietnam Airlines all run quick 1h 30m to 2h 30m hops from those hubs into Vietnam’s secondary airports.
North vs South vs Central: How to Pick Your Gateway
Your itinerary decides the airport. Vietnam’s geography punishes you if you fly into the wrong city: Hanoi to Phu Quoc by land is 1,700 km and the cheapest bus-sleeper-train combination takes 36+ hours. Flying into the wrong end of the country adds 6+ hours of internal travel plus a second flight.
Fly into Noi Bai (HAN) if:
- Your route starts in Hanoi, Sapa, Ha Giang, Ninh Binh, or Halong Bay
- You’re doing the classic north-to-south loop (Hanoi > Hue > Da Nang > Hoi An > HCMC)
- You want to be near the Hanoi Old Quarter on day one
Fly into Tan Son Nhat (SGN) if:
- Your route starts in Ho Chi Minh City, the Mekong Delta, or Phu Quoc
- You’re doing south-to-north (HCMC > Da Lat > Hoi An > Hanoi)
- You’re short on time and want maximum flight options from India (SGN has the most)
Fly into Da Nang (DAD) if:
- Your route focuses on central Vietnam: Hoi An, Hue, My Son, the Hai Van Pass
- You want to skip the long Hanoi-to-Da Nang sleeper bus
- You’re doing 7 to 10 days total, mostly beach + culture
Fly into Cam Ranh (CXR) if:
- You’re going straight to Nha Trang for a beach week
- You’re doing a resort-only trip (this airport is 30 km south of Nha Trang city)
Subodh’s Pro Tip: If your itinerary mixes north and south, book a multi-city ticket (e.g., Delhi > Hanoi, Da Nang > Delhi) instead of a round trip into one city. The price difference is usually ₹1,000 (~$10.37) to ₹3,000 (~$31.12) and you save 6+ hours of internal travel.
For a deeper dive into picking the right base city, see how many days you need in Vietnam.
Best Time to Book Flights from India to Vietnam
Vietnam has two high seasons and one cheap shoulder window.
| Period | Demand | India-Vietnam Fare Range (One-Way) |
|---|---|---|
| October to December (peak north, dry season) | High | ₹12,000 (~$124.48) to ₹20,000 (~$207.46) |
| January to March (Tet + spring) | High | ₹14,000 (~$145.22) to ₹22,000 (~$228.21) |
| April to June (shoulder, hot) | Low | ₹8,500 (~$88.17) to ₹14,000 (~$145.22) |
| July to September (rainy, typhoon risk central) | Lowest | ₹7,500 (~$77.80) to ₹13,000 (~$134.85) |
Book 5 to 7 weeks before departure for the lowest fares. Tuesday and Wednesday departures are typically ₹1,000 (~$10.37) to ₹2,000 (~$20.75) cheaper than Friday and Sunday. The cheapest combination is a midweek VietJet departure in May, June, or early September.
Avoid Tet (late January or early February, dates shift yearly). Domestic Vietnamese travel spikes, prices double, and you’ll find yourself on a packed flight with everyone else flying home for the new year.
For month-by-month weather planning, see when not to go to Vietnam.
Indian Airport Checklist (Before You Board)
These five things keep your India-to-Vietnam departure smooth:
- Printed Vietnam e-Visa approval letter. Immigration officers at Indian airports occasionally ask for proof of onward travel and visa status before letting you board. The PDF from the official portal is what you need. No e-Visa = no boarding.
- Return or onward ticket. Either a return to India or an onward ticket to Thailand, Cambodia, or Laos. Many Indian check-in agents won’t issue a boarding pass without it.
- Hotel booking for the first night. A PDF from Booking.com or Agoda works. Carry the address in Vietnamese if you can.
- Forex card or USD cash. RBI allows up to USD 3,000 in cash declaration without paperwork. Cards beat cash on FX, but USD is the universal fallback.
- Web check-in 24 hours before. IndiGo and VietJet enforce strict 7 kg cabin weight limits. Pay for checked baggage online in advance, it’s 40% cheaper than at the airport counter.
Subodh’s Pro Tip: Carry a blue or black pen in your cabin bag. Vietnam’s arrival form and customs declaration are paper-based, and you’ll fill them out on the plane or at the immigration hall.
For the full e-Visa walkthrough, see Vietnam e-Visa for Indian passport holders.
What to Do When You Land
Vietnam’s three big airports (HAN, SGN, DAD) run similar arrival flows: immigration, baggage, customs, exit. Here’s the step-by-step at the airport you’ll most likely hit.
Step 1: Immigration
Hand over your passport, printed e-Visa, and the arrival form (filled on the plane or at the desk in front of the officer). The officer stamps you in for up to 90 days under your multiple-entry e-Visa. Keep the arrival card, you’ll return it when you leave.
Step 2: SIM Card
Skip the airport SIM kiosks unless you’re desperate. The official Viettel and Mobifone counters at all three airports sell a 14-day tourist SIM with ~6GB of data for ₹479 (~130,000 VND or ~$4.97). The price is the same as downtown, but you’ll spend less time comparing plans.
If you’d rather arrive with data already on, get a Nomad eSIM before you fly. It activates the moment you land and you skip the SIM counter entirely.
Step 3: Cash and Transport
Withdraw VND from the airport ATM (Vietcombank, BIDV, or Techcombank) or exchange a small amount at the official counters. Grab a SIM card and you’re set.
From the airport to the city centre, the options are:
- Grab car: ₹368-₹737 (~100,000-200,000 VND or ~$3.82-$7.64) to most central districts in Hanoi or HCMC
- Grab bike: ₹147-₹295 (~40,000-80,000 VND or ~$1.53-$3.06), faster in traffic but luggage space is tight
- Airport taxi (Vinasun, Mai Linh): ₹552-₹921 (~150,000-250,000 VND or ~$5.73-$9.55), meter only, fixed-price counters inside
For the airport rules in detail (departure tax, transit, what to declare), see Vietnam airport rules.
Getting to the City from Each Gateway
From Noi Bai (HAN) to Hanoi Old Quarter
| Transport | Cost | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Grab car | ₹737-₹1,031 (~200,000-280,000 VND or ~$7.64-$10.70) | 40 to 60 min |
| Airport taxi (Noi Bai Taxi) | ₹921-₹1,179 (~250,000-320,000 VND or ~$9.55-$12.23) | 40 to 60 min |
| Public bus 86 | ₹166 (~45,000 VND or ~$1.72) | 60 to 90 min |
Grab is the cleanest option. The bus is fine if you’re on a tight budget and your hostel is in the Old Quarter.
From Tan Son Nhat (SGN) to District 1
| Transport | Cost | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Grab car | ₹368-₹552 (~100,000-150,000 VND or ~$3.82-$5.73) | 20 to 40 min |
| Airport taxi (Vinasun) | ₹552-₹810 (~150,000-220,000 VND or ~$5.73-$8.40) | 20 to 40 min |
| Public bus 109 | ₹74 (~20,000 VND or ~$0.76) | 45 to 60 min |
SGN is closer to District 1 than HAN is to the Old Quarter, so fares are lower and rides are shorter.
From Da Nang (DAD) to Hoi An
| Transport | Cost | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Grab car | ₹1,289-₹1,657 (~350,000-450,000 VND or ~$13.37-$17.19) | 45 to 60 min |
| Private taxi (airport desk) | ₹1,473-₹1,842 (~400,000-500,000 VND or ~$15.28-$19.10) | 45 to 60 min |
| Public bus + local transfer | ₹184 (~50,000 VND or ~$1.91) | 90 min |
Da Nang to Hoi An is the longest of the three. If you’re staying in Hoi An directly, pre-book a private transfer through your hostel and skip the taxi shuffle.
Vietnam e-Visa: Indian Passport Rules
Skip visa-on-arrival. It’s not available for Indian passport holders as of 2026. You must pre-apply through the official portal at least 3 days before departure, ideally 7 days.
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Visa type | e-Visa (single digital application) |
| Fee | ₹2,410 (~$25) |
| Max stay | 90 days |
| Entries | Multiple |
| Photo | 4x6 cm, white background, taken within 6 months |
| Apply at | https://evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn |
| Processing | 3 working days (sometimes 24 hours) |
The portal accepts Indian debit cards, credit cards, and net banking through Visa or Mastercard. Save the PDF approval letter to your phone and print a copy. You’ll need both.
Subodh’s Safety Alert: Only use the official government URL above. There are dozens of lookalike sites charging ₹5,784 (~60 USD)+ for the same visa. If the URL isn’t evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn, close the tab.
For the full step-by-step, see Vietnam e-Visa for Indian travelers.
FAQ
Do I need a transit visa if I connect through Bangkok or Singapore?
No, as long as you stay airside (don’t pass immigration) and your layover is under 24 hours. Bangkok and Singapore both have transit-friendly policies for Indian passport holders.
Is travel insurance required for the Vietnam e-Visa?
No, it’s not part of the visa process. But for the actual trip, SafetyWing covers you from ~$62/month (~₹5,900) including medical evacuation, which is the one item you don’t want to skip in a country where public hospitals require upfront payment.
Can I fly into Da Nang and exit from Hanoi on a one-way ticket?
Yes, you don’t need a round trip into the same city. Just book a multi-city ticket (e.g., Delhi > Da Nang, Hanoi > Delhi) or a one-way into Da Nang with a separate onward flight home from Hanoi. Immigration only cares that you have an onward ticket out of Vietnam within 90 days.
What’s the cheapest Vietnamese airport to fly into from India?
Hanoi on VietJet from Delhi, usually ₹8,500 (~$88.17) to ₹11,000 (~$114.10) one-way if booked 6+ weeks out. Ho Chi Minh City on VietJet from Mumbai is similarly priced.
Are there direct flights from India to Phu Quoc?
No, not in 2026. You fly into Tan Son Nhat and take a 1-hour domestic flight or a 4-hour ferry to Phu Quoc.
Do I need a physical photo at Vietnam immigration?
No, the e-Visa system already has your photo from the online application. You just need your passport and the printed approval letter.
What’s the departure tax at Vietnamese airports?
There’s no separate departure tax for international flights, it’s bundled into your ticket. For domestic flights, the airport service fee is included. See Vietnam departure tax at the airport for the full breakdown.
Subodh’s Take
Vietnam is easier to enter than most Southeast Asian countries because the e-Visa is digital and the fee is flat. The hard part is picking the right airport for your route, and most Indian travellers default to Ho Chi Minh City because the fares are slightly cheaper. That’s fine if you’re doing a south-first loop, but if your itinerary starts in Hanoi or Hoi An, you’ll burn a day and ₹4,000 (~$41.49) to ₹7,000 (~$72.61) on a domestic connection that wouldn’t have been necessary. Spend the extra 20 minutes planning your itinerary before you book the flight, your wallet will thank you on day two.
