Halong Bay Airport: Which One Should You Fly Into?

There is no airport directly in Halong City or on the shores of Halong Bay. Instead, travelers can choose between Van Don International Airport (VDO), Cat Bi International Airport (HPH) and Noi Bai International Airport (HAN).

Van Don is the closest airport geographically, Cat Bi offers convenient access from Hai Phong and several domestic routes, while Noi Bai is the main gateway for international travelers. The right choice depends on flight availability, arrival point and the onward transfer to Halong Bay.

Halong Bay airport comparison overview

For travelers looking for the closest airport to Halong Bay, Van Don International Airport is the nearest of the three. However, distance is not the only factor to consider. Flight schedules and connections can make Cat Bi or Noi Bai more convenient for some travelers.

Distances and transfer times vary with the exact cruise port, the traffic and the route. Van Don is about 53 km from Halong City, and Cat Bi is about 45 km away by road. Noi Bai is considerably farther, at about 193 km, but offers a much wider range of domestic and international connections.

1. Van Don International Airport (VDO)

Van Don International Airport is the nearest airport to Halong Bay and the shortest option by road. It is located in Quang Ninh Province, the same province as Halong Bay.

Van Don's airport code is VDO. From the airport, travelers can continue to Halong City by taxi, private car, shuttle or bus. Depending on the destination and the traffic, the road journey usually takes around 35 to 45 minutes.

Van Don can be particularly useful when flying from southern Vietnam. However, flight availability is more limited than at Noi Bai, so check schedules before choosing it simply because it is the closest airport.

Who should choose Van Don?

Van Don suits travelers who find a suitable flight and want to keep the road transfer short after landing. It works especially well for travelers flying domestically and heading directly to a Halong Bay cruise.

Quang Ninh to Halong Bay

Van Don is the only one of the three airports inside Quang Ninh Province. The Quang Ninh to Halong Bay transfer runs along the Ha Long - Van Don expressway and stays within the same province, which is why it is the shortest of the three.

2. Cat Bi International Airport (HPH)

Cat Bi International Airport is located in Hai Phong and is another useful gateway to Halong Bay. The airport code is HPH.

The airport is about 45 km from Halong Bay by road, although the exact distance depends on the destination in Halong. The Ha Long - Hai Phong expressway makes the connection relatively straightforward, with road travel often taking around 50 minutes to 1 hour.

Who should choose Cat Bi?

Cat Bi can be a practical option for domestic travelers who cannot find a suitable Van Don flight. It is also useful for travelers planning to visit Cat Ba Island or Lan Ha Bay before or after Halong Bay.

Travelers looking at Halong Bay from Da Nang have two workable airports, Cat Bi and Noi Bai. Direct flights run between Da Nang and Cat Bi, while travelers arriving at Noi Bai face a longer road transfer to Halong.

3. Noi Bai International Airport (HAN)

Noi Bai International Airport is the main international gateway for northern Vietnam and the most practical choice for many overseas visitors.

Noi Bai's airport code is HAN. The airport is about 193 km from Halong Bay, and the road transfer generally takes around 2 to 3 hours.

Although Noi Bai is not the Halong Bay nearest airport, it has a major advantage: a much wider selection of international and domestic flights. For long-haul travelers, it is often easier to fly into Hanoi and arrange a limousine, shuttle or private car directly to Halong Bay.

Flying to Halong Bay from major Vietnamese cities

Travelers arriving from southern and central Vietnam can compare all three airports before booking.

Halong Bay from Ho Chi Minh City: Van Don, Cat Bi and Noi Bai can all be considered, depending on current flight schedules. Van Don is the closest to the bay, while Cat Bi and Noi Bai may provide alternative departure times.

For the Ho Chi Minh to Halong Bay journey, flying is normally much faster than traveling by train or long-distance bus. After landing, the trip continues by road to the hotel or the cruise port.

Da Nang to Halong Bay: Cat Bi and Noi Bai are the main practical airport options. There are no direct commercial flights into Halong City itself, so a road transfer is needed after landing. A Halong Bay to Da Nang flight works the same way in reverse, starting from Cat Bi or Noi Bai.

Phu Quoc to Halong Bay: Travelers can compare flights to Cat Bi or Noi Bai and then continue by road. Direct Phu Quoc to Hai Phong services run on a limited schedule, so check the timetable carefully before booking.

Can you fly directly to Halong Bay?

A regular commercial flight cannot land in Halong City because the city has no commercial airport. Travelers fly to Van Don, Cat Bi or Noi Bai and continue by road.

A scenic seaplane service previously connected Hanoi with Halong Bay. Halong Bay seaplane sightseeing flights were suspended from April 1, 2026. Vietnamese state news outlets report the suspension as permanent, while some travel websites still describe it as temporary, so the service should be confirmed directly before it is built into a plan. Check the when to visit Halong Bay guide before planning a trip around any seasonal service.

Read more

• Sapa to Halong Bay: How to Get There Directly
• Ninh Binh to Halong Bay: Distance, Bus and Transport Guide

FAQ

Does Halong Bay have an airport?

No. There is no commercial airport inside Halong City. Travelers normally fly to Van Don, Cat Bi or Noi Bai and then continue to Halong Bay by road.

What is the closest airport to Halong Bay?

Van Don International Airport is the closest airport to Halong Bay by distance, at about 53 km. It is located in Quang Ninh Province and offers the shortest road transfer of the three, around 35 to 45 minutes.

Which airport is closest to Halong Bay?

By road, Van Don International Airport (VDO) is the closest. Counting total travel time, the answer can differ. Van Don runs fewer daily flights, so a Cat Bi or Noi Bai departure that leaves sooner sometimes reaches the bay earlier despite the longer drive.

What is the Halong Bay airport code?

There is no airport code for Halong City itself. The three main nearby airports are VDO for Van Don International Airport, HPH for Cat Bi International Airport and HAN for Noi Bai International Airport.

Can you fly to Halong Bay from Ho Chi Minh City?

Yes, but not directly into Halong City. Compare flights from Ho Chi Minh City to Van Don, Cat Bi or Noi Bai, then arrange a road transfer to Halong Bay.

Is there a Halong Bay flight from Da Nang?

No commercial flight lands at Halong Bay. Travelers from Da Nang can compare flights to Cat Bi or Noi Bai and continue by road.

Is there a flight from Halong Bay to Da Nang?

No. There is no flight from Halong Bay to Da Nang because Halong has no commercial airport. The journey starts with a road transfer to Cat Bi or Noi Bai, followed by a flight to Da Nang International Airport.

How do I travel from Halong Bay to Ho Chi Minh City?

For the Halong Bay to Ho Chi Minh journey, travel by road to a nearby airport and take a domestic flight to Tan Son Nhat International Airport. Cat Bi and Van Don can both be considered, depending on the current flight schedule.

What is the best airport for an international traveler?

Noi Bai is often the most practical choice for international travelers because it has the broadest range of international connections. The longer road transfer to Halong Bay is the main trade-off.

What airport should I use for a Halong Bay cruise?

Choose based on both flight availability and cruise boarding time. Van Don offers a short road transfer, Cat Bi is a convenient alternative, and Noi Bai is particularly useful when it provides the best international flight connection.

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