Jenny Sky Is The Limit

Hanoi Noi Bai International Airport stands as the largest airport in northern Vietnam, catering to the capital city. Situated 45 km from the city centre, a mere 40-minute drive connects travellers to this bustling hub. The airport boasts two terminals: T1, dedicated to domestic flights, and a newer addition inaugurated in 2014, specifically designed for international flights.

In 2016, the airport efficiently managed the travel needs of over 20 million passengers, marking an impressive 19% increase from the previous year. To put this into perspective, it handles 20% of the passenger volume managed by Heathrow and falls slightly behind El Dorado Airport in Bogota by over 15 million passengers.

Numerous air carriers have established operations at Hanoi Noi Bai International Airport, with Vietnam Airlines taking the spotlight as my airline of choice for the day.

This aviation hub provides a range of standard services, ensuring a seamless travel experience for passengers. From shopping opportunities to dining choices and conveniently located ATMs, the airport caters to the varied needs of its visitors.

My Experience Arriving:

Arriving in Hanoi was a breeze. The immigration process was remarkably straightforward, especially with the added perk of a complimentary 15-day visa stay. The efficiency of the process was a pleasant surprise, with no discernible crowds to contend with. True to form, as a habitual latecomer to airports, my baggage was already awaiting me at the designated belt. Navigating through the airport was a delight, with pristine facilities that offered both comfort and convenience for a leisurely stroll.

Another good aspect of my arrival in Hanoi was the ease of acquiring a SIM card with data right at the airport. Securing mine proved to be a hassle-free experience, and the cost was wallet-friendly, at just 250,000 kip for a substantial 10GB of data.

Upon researching online, I discovered a bus service to the city centre operating every 30 minutes for a mere 10,000 Kip (less than 50p). However, upon exiting the hall, there was no trace of this service. No signs, no boards, and even the airport staff were unable to guide me to the bus stop.

My newfound friend Hitomi from Japan and I found ourselves a bit disoriented for a while. After 15 minutes of searching, we eventually stumbled upon a van service offering a shared ride to the city for 100,000 Kip (£3.5). Despite the slight inconvenience of waiting for the van to fill up with other arriving passengers, the shared ride turned out to be a reasonable option. Nonetheless, the lack of clear signals at the airport was quite disappointing.

My Experience departing (domestic terminal):

True to the expectations of a quality airport, Hanoi Noi Bai International Airport provided complimentary WiFi, a valuable amenity for travellers with limited time, such as myself. However, there is room for improvement in addressing the language barrier during the login process. This aspect of the service could benefit from some refinement to enhance the overall user experience for international visitors.

Airport security checks operated with efficiency. The facilities presented themselves as impeccably clean and spacious, emanating a glossy sheen. However, the array of amenities for dining or securing hot drinks was disappointingly limited. Although an airport lounge beckoned with promises of a pleasant experience, I  did not have the opportunity to partake. It may prove more worthwhile for those with longer visits.

In conclusion, the airport maintains a cleanliness standard but requires enhancement in passenger facilities to cater to diverse needs.

My Hanoi Airport Rating: (1*-5*)

• Airport Facilities **
• Friendliness of airport staff *****
• Signs **
• Passport Control *****
• Cleanliness *****

“An airport carpet can tell you everything about its surroundings”

Love from Jenny

❤️

🙂