Vietnam is long and thin, and that makes the airport you pick matter more than in most countries. Landing in the wrong city can cost a day of travel. This page lists every airport most visitors will use, how far each one is from the town you actually want, and where to find our transfer guides. All figures are approximate and reflect 2026.
International Airports at a Glance
| Airport | Code | City served | Distance to centre | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Noi Bai | HAN | Hanoi | About 30 km | Northern Vietnam, Ha Long Bay, Sapa |
| Tan Son Nhat | SGN | Ho Chi Minh City | About 7 km | Saigon, Mekong Delta, the south |
| Da Nang | DAD | Da Nang, Hoi An | About 3 km | Hoi An, Hue, central coast |
| Cam Ranh | CXR | Nha Trang | About 30 to 35 km | Nha Trang and the southern beaches |
| Phu Quoc | PQC | Phu Quoc Island | About 10 km | Island beaches |
| Cat Bi | HPH | Hai Phong | About 7 km | Hai Phong, Cat Ba, Ha Long Bay |
Smaller airports at Hue (Phu Bai), Da Lat (Lien Khuong) and a few others take mainly domestic flights plus limited regional or charter services. They are useful as onward connections, which is why we cover them below.
Hanoi Noi Bai (HAN)
The northern gateway, with the widest choice of long-haul and Asian routes in the north. The airport is about 30 km from the Old Quarter. Read our Noi Bai airport transfer guide for taxi, bus and private car options, and see Hanoi airport transfers for the city-side view. A pre-booked car from Vietnam airport transfer options avoids negotiating at the arrivals hall.
Ho Chi Minh City Tan Son Nhat (SGN)
The busiest airport in the country and only about 7 km from the central districts, so the ride is short but traffic can stretch it to 40 minutes or more at peak hours. See the Tan Son Nhat transfer guide and Ho Chi Minh City airport transfers.
Long Thanh International Airport (SGNβs future partner)
Long Thanh, about 40 km east of the city in Dong Nai province, is built to take over much of the international load from Tan Son Nhat. The newest operator target we found is 24 December 2026 for the first commercial flights, with a limited early schedule and international services moving across in stages through to 2028. That date has slipped before, so treat it as provisional. Read our news coverage for the detail: Long Thanh airport December 2026 update. Until airlines publish schedules, assume your flight lands at Tan Son Nhat and check the airport code on your ticket.
Da Nang (DAD)
Da Nang airport is minutes from the beach and about 30 km from Hoi An, which makes it the easiest arrival of the three big hubs. See our Da Nang airport transfer guide and the Da Nang to Hoi An transfer for private cars.
Cam Ranh (CXR) for Nha Trang
Cam Ranh sits on a peninsula south of Nha Trang. The road into town is straightforward but long, so plan about 45 minutes. Details are in the Cam Ranh airport transfer guide.
Phu Quoc (PQC)
The islandβs airport is close to Duong Dong and handles an expanding set of direct international flights. See the Phu Quoc airport transfer guide for hotel-by-area timings.
Hai Phong Cat Bi (HPH)
Cat Bi serves Hai Phong and is the practical airport for Cat Ba island and parts of Ha Long Bay. Use our Hai Phong airport transfer guide.
Regional Airports Worth Knowing
- Hue Phu Bai (HUI): about 15 km from the old city. Our Hue airport transfer guide covers it.
- Da Lat Lien Khuong (DLI): about 30 km from town, and a long uphill drive. See the Da Lat airport transfer guide.
Which Airport Should You Use?
- North first: fly into Hanoi, finish in Ho Chi Minh City or Da Nang.
- Beach holiday: Da Nang for Hoi An, Cam Ranh for Nha Trang, Phu Quoc for the island.
- Time-poor: book an open-jaw ticket and cover the distance with a short domestic flight rather than a train. Our flights to Vietnam guide compares routes and fares.
Before You Land
Entry rules affect every airport. See our Vietnam visa guide and the news item on the digital arrival card at major airports. For arrival connectivity, an eSIM for Vietnam lets you get online before you reach the terminal. The airport operator publishes terminal information at Airports Corporation of Vietnam.