At Noi Bai Airport, there are two terminals situated approximately 850 metres apart. 

• Terminal 1– the older and smaller building is used exclusively for domestic flights within Vietnam
• Terminal 2– the larger terminal serves all international flights

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Transport between terminals

A free shuttle bus runs between the terminals in the public area (‘landside’) every 10–15 minutes from 5.00 am to 1.00 am; the stop is directly in front of both terminals on Level 1 (in front of the arrivals halls)

Travel on this bus is free of charge.

The bus journey between the terminals takes about 10 minutes.

Connecting flights

Hanoi Airport is easy to navigate for transfer passengers, and the transfer is very quick provided you do not need to change terminals.

International <-> International

If you are flying via Hanoi to another country and both flights are booked as part of a single reservation, you do not need to leave the transit area.

You therefore do not need to apply for a visa for Vietnam.

You do not need to worry about your checked-in luggage; it will be transferred automatically.

When transferring between international flights, you always remain in Terminal 2 and simply go through the security check specifically designated for transfer passengers.

The average time taken to transfer between flights is between20 and 40 minutes.

International -> Domestic

If you are arriving from a destination outside Vietnam and continuing on a domestic flight within Vietnam, you must always transfer from Terminal 2 to Terminal 1.

Even if both flights are on a single connecting ticket, you must always leave the transit area and make your own way between the terminals. Airlines do not provide any transfer service between the terminals.

1. Immigration control
2. Collecting checked-in luggage
3. Transfer to the second terminal (the free shuttle bus stops on the ground floor, runs every 15 minutes, operating hours 5:00–1:00)
4. Baggage check-in / boarding pass collection
5. Security check

In total, these procedures usually takebetween 60 and 120 minutes, depending on the queues at immigration and waiting times for the shuttle bus.

Domestic -> International

In this case, the transfer is a little more convenient than in the previous option.

1. Transfer to the second terminal (the free shuttle bus stops on the ground floor, runs every 15 minutes, operating hours 5:00–1:00)
2. Passport control
3. Security check

Your luggage will be transferred automatically if both flights are on the same ticket.

In total, these procedures usually takebetween 45 and 90 minutes, depending on the queues at security and passport control and the waiting time for the shuttle bus.

Domestic <-> Domestic

Transferring between two flights within Vietnam is very straightforward and does not involve any security checks.

You disembark directly into the departure gates area, so the transfer usually takes10 to 20 minutes.