Where to Fly into Vietnam: Best Places & Cheap International Routes

The first step to plan your Vietnam tour is choosing the best entry point. Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City have many international flight connections or travel through regional transportation hubs to find the best prices.

Da Nang is an important entry point to central Vietnam for beach relaxation and Hoi An ancient town exploration. Moreover, tourists can enjoy a 15-day visa-free visit to the pristine sand and sea in Phu Quoc Island.

Nearby cities like Bangkok, Seoul, and Singapore give you cheaper options with flights connecting to Vietnam. Find out everything you need to know about flying to Vietnam in the article, including how to use smart stopovers to find the best flight prices.

Hanoi & Ho Chi Minh City: Top International Gateways to Vietnam

Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh are the main international gateways for traveling to Vietnam. With direct flight connections to cities around the world, you can land in Hanoi, tour Vietnam from north to south, and depart to your next destination from Ho Chi Minh City. It’s a route that makes up many popular itineraries for experiencing the best of the country.

Hanoi Noi Bai International Airport, in Vietnam’s capital, is the gateway to the north of the country. There are 63 flight routes with direct connections to 26 different countries. Fly non-stop to Hanoi from places as far away as London, Paris, and Sydney, or connect through major travel hubs such as Tokyo, Seoul, and Singapore.

Ho Chi Minh City is the largest city in Vietnam, with a major airport connecting to 27 countries. Tan Son Nhat International Airport has 70 international flight routes, including a direct connection with San Francisco as well as Europe, Australia, Asia, and the Middle East.

Read more about Ho Chi Minh City vs Hanoi: Which One to Visit?

Ho Chi Minh Tan Son Nhat International Airport is the gateway to the north of the country.

Da Nang: Perfect Entry Point for Beaches and Hoi An Ancient Town

Da Nang is central Vietnam’s hotspot for beach holidays and tours of Hoi An. Only a few kilometers from the city center, you can find pristine stretches of fine white sand beaches like the famous My Khe Beach and tranquil spots like Bac My Beach, where you can watch stunning sunsets.

Hoi An is only 30 km away, taking only 30-45 minutes by car. There, you can tour the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Hoi An Ancient Town. There are kinds of interesting things to do in Hoi An. Stroll through the lantern-lit streets and soak in the atmosphere of an ancient trading port city. You can try the delicious food at the night markets and visit sites like the Japanese Covered Bridge.

Da Nang International Airport is the third largest in Vietnam. The easiest way to reach Da Nang is by taking a connecting flight through nearby regional hubs. There are 14 daily flights from Seoul to Da Nang and 3-5 daily flights from places like Singapore, Hong Kong, and Bangkok. The major regional hubs connect to countries in North America, Europe, and Australia, so you’re never too far away to plan on arriving in central Vietnam.

10 Days Central Vietnam Beach Relaxing & Culinary Tour

Da Nang - Hue - Hoi An - Nha Trang - Mui Ne - Da Lat - Da Nang

Phu Quoc Island: Visa-Free Entry for 15 Days of Sun & Sea

Phu Quoc is Vietnam’s tropical island paradise. It's home to long stretches of beautiful beaches of Vietnam, sleepy fishing villages, primeval forests, and mountain trails. You can go to Phu Quoc to relax or find exciting adventure activities like diving, snorkeling, and kayaking. The island also offers visa-free entry, so it’s a convenient tourist place in Vietnam for any traveler.

The best way to get to Phu Quoc Duong Dong International Airport is by connecting through nearby cities in Asia. Nine countries have direct flights to Phu Quoc, with routes starting from Seoul, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, and Bangkok. No matter where you’re coming from, it’s easy to find a convenient connection to Phu Quoc.

Travelers are enjoying the beautiful beach of the Phu Quoc island.

Bangkok, Singapore & Kuala Lumpur: Budget-Friendly Transit Hubs into Vietnam

Regional airlines in Asia offer great deals on flights to Vietnam. Budget airlines such as AirAsia and VietJet fly from Bangkok, Singapore, and Kuala Lumpur. Take advantage of these transit hubs to find the best flight prices on the frequent connections between these cities.

Flights to Vietnam

Regional connections are also a good opportunity to plan a wider tour of Southeast Asia. One way to experience both fascinating historical sites and beautiful, relaxing beaches is to take advantage of flights between Siem Reap and Da Nang. Siem Reap is the gem of Cambodia and the gateway to the magnificent Angkor Wat. After touring Angkor Wat, fly to Da Nang for central Vietnam’s best beaches. The flight on Thai Air Asia takes 5 hours 45 minutes and costs 173 USD.

18 Days Heritage and History Tour of Vietnam and Thailand

Bangkok - Ayutthaya - Sukhothai - Chiang Rai - Golden Triangle - Chiang Mai - Hanoi - Halong Bay - Hoi An - Saigon

Seoul & Hong Kong: Smart Stopovers When flying into Vietnam from Europe/US

While you can fly non-stop from Europe and the US to Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City, planning your Vietnam tour with a stopover in Seoul or Hong Kong can be the smarter way to travel.

Direct flights from USA to Vietnam (San Francisco to Ho Chi Minh City) are available on Vietnam Airlines, but it is almost 50% cheaper to stop in Hong Kong. Flying with a single stop costs around 462 USD, compared with 864 USD for a direct flight. It’s possible to find a route with only a two-hour stopover, and you’ll arrive more refreshed after being able to take a break and stretch your legs.

From Europe, the situation is similar. Direct flights from London to Hanoi cost around 1,242 USD. Adding one stop can bring the price down to 649 USD and only increases the travel time by 2-3 hours. The airports in Seoul and Hong Kong have a wide range of modern facilities and are a great chance to rest and recharge partway through the journey.

The beautiful scenery of Victoria Harbour in Hong Kong.

Get a Vietnam E-Visa Online Before Flying into Vietnam

Vietnam’s e-visa is the most recommended way to visit Vietnam for the first time. The easy-to-manage system allows you to take care of all the visa arrangements in advance and then pass through airport immigration quickly and smoothly.

Travelers can apply through the official website at https://evisa.gov.vn/. E-visa are available for stays of up to 90 days with options for single or multiple entry. A single-entry, 90-day e-visa costs 25 USD and can be used to enter through major airports and land and sea borders. Visa processing time is three working days.

Make sure you have a passport with at least 6 months ’ remaining validity, and prepare scans or electronic copies of your passport photo and data page, and a 2x2 inch portrait photo in jpg format. Once your Vietnam visa is approved, you will be able to download or print your e-visa to present at airport immigration.

Travelers can easily apply for Vietnam E-Visa online.

Useful Tips for Saving Time & Money When Flying into Vietnam

- Avoid traveling to Vietnam during the Tet Festival (January/February). It is the biggest holiday in the country, and prices can jump by up to three times. Major attractions get very crowded, and domestic transportation sells out fast.
- Use Domestic Airlines for In-Country Travel. Local carriers such as Vietnam Airlines, Bamboo Airways, and VietJet offer affordable domestic routes. Flights are often cheaper and faster than trains or buses, especially for long distances.
- Taxis, shuttle buses, and ride-hailing apps like Grab are the best ways to get round in Vietnam.

- Book your flights in advance to find the best deals. Start 1-3 months ahead of time, and use price tracking features on sites like Skyscanner and Kayak to find the best prices.

12 Days Vietnam Sightseeing Tour with Four Islands Cruise

Hanoi – Halong Bay – Hoi An – Nha Trang – Saigon

Conclusion

There are lots of options for flying into Vietnam to start your Vietnam tours. From the international gateways of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to connecting routes through regional travel hubs to destinations like Da Nang and Phu Quoc, you’re never more than one stop away from the best attractions.

Contact us to start planning your Vietnam tour, and we’ll help you plan where to fly into Vietnam. Choose from tours around the country or personalize your itinerary to take advantage of the many arrival options to suit all kinds of travelers.