Flying from Noi Bai International Airport (HAN): Departures Guide

This is part of the Been There, Done That series, where our expert globetrotters travel the world to get the insights and information you need for a seamless travel experience.

After spending just over a week in Vietnam, I happily took my newfound knowledge of the country I only knew from American textbooks.

View of Noi Bai International Airport terminal from the tarmac. | Source: iVisa

Before flying to my next destination, I must tackle departures from Vietnam. From my experience with the airport in Ho Chi Minh City and from talking to Vietnamese pass holders, I knew this would be a time-consuming endeavor. Here is how I handled it.

Getting to Noi Bai International Airport: Plan for traffic

My journey to the airport began with the realization that the distance from most travelers' accommodations in Hanoi to the airport is about 45 minutes without traffic.

However, given the city's bustling nature, you'll likely encounter some traffic, regardless of the time of day. Even when I left for the airport at 5 am, I still experienced mild traffic.

The international departures area at Noi Bai International Airport is relatively small. Still, it can become quite crowded, especially as the day progresses and immigration lines spill into the departure hall.

It's advisable to plan your journey to the airport accordingly, factoring in potential traffic delays, and arrive with ample time to navigate the airport and complete the necessary departure procedures.

For my 8:40 am Sunday flight, I needed about three and a half hours to get from my hotel, luggage checked, immigration, and security.

If you have a mid-morning flight, you will need much more time, as I noticed the lines were five times as long as my boarding time approached.

Lines at Noi Bai International Airport are long for check-in and immigration. | Source: iVisa

Checking-in: Prepare for long lines

Upon my arrival at the airport just before 6 am, I noticed that the lines to check in were quite lengthy for almost all airlines.

Since I needed visas for Vietnam and Indonesia, my final destination, I had to speak with an agent despite having checked in online. This is a common requirement for passengers flying out of Vietnam.

The wait time to drop off my baggage was approximately 30 minutes. Although there is a self-service bag drop for passengers who have already checked in, reviewing your ticket for any specific requirements is essential.

Some nationalities and final destinations require speaking with an agent, even if you've checked in online. I had to do this, so double-checking your ticket is a good idea to save time in both lines.

Immigration at Noi Bai International Airport can take hours. | Source: iVisa

Immigration: Prepare for even longer lines

After checking in for your flight and dropping off any checked baggage, you'll proceed to the immigration lines.

Pro Tip: There are two immigration and security lines. Although you must go to the line closest to your gate, both lines lead to the same airport terminal. Choose the shorter line to save time.

All passengers must speak with an immigration officer at Noi Bai International Airport | Source: iVisa

Since every person must speak with an immigration officer before departing from Hanoi, the immigration line will likely take over an hour.

I arrived early in the morning and encountered a short line, but even with only a few people in front of me, immigration and security took me nearly 40 minutes.

By the time I was about to board my plane around 7 a.m., the immigration and security lines were five times longer than when I had waited an hour earlier.

It likely took those in line at that time well over an hour to get through. I observed multiple passengers rushing to their gates after security.

Frequent flyers to Vietnam recommend at least two hours to exit immigration and security.

Given the long lines I witnessed, you might want even more time, especially considering Vietnam's strict visa requirements. Missing your flight while stuck in immigration lines would be a headache.

Once I reached my immigration officer, they took a few minutes to review my passport and ticket before allowing me to proceed to security.

Passengers pass through security at Noi Bai International Airport | Source: iVisa

Security: Follow instructions

I thought that security was relatively straightforward and similar to most other airports. The security area is quite compact, so you may feel a bit crowded as you grab a bin for your belongings. You must remove your shoes and place all your items in the scanner.

Pro Tip: Avoid bringing large liquids through security, as they will be confiscated.

Once your belongings have been scanned, you'll proceed to either the female or male line for a body scan in a machine and with a handheld scanner. After passing through security, you can collect your items and continue to your gate.

Travelers can enjoy shops and restaurants at Noi Bai International Airport | Source: iVisa

International Terminal: Plenty of Dining and Shopping Options

After passing through immigration, you'll enter the international terminal, which is relatively small but offers a variety of restaurants and souvenir shops.

These were all open early in the morning, and I enjoyed a delicious bowl of pho before heading to my gate.

One lounge is available in the terminal, but access cannot be purchased. It is reserved for business or first-class passengers or those with elite airline status flying with any airline in the international terminal.

Travelers with kids can take them to the free play area at Noi Bai International terminal | Source: iVisa

Outlets are limited throughout the terminal and can only be found in designated areas near each airport gate.

When it's time to board your flight, you'll simply line up as usual. The boarding process was efficient, and plenty of space near each gate made for a comfortable departure from Vietnam.

Travelers enjoy a spacious departures terminal at Noi Bai International Airport| Source: iVisa

As Vietnam faded into the distance, I reflected on my time here, from Hanoi to the bustling streets of Ho Chi Minh City.

My journey through the country was unforgettable, and even navigating departures reminded me of Vietnam's unique experiences.