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Noi Bai International Airport

Landing in Hanoi: your first 24 hours, sorted

Everything to set up before you board, the real prices for getting into town, and the three tricks people fall for at HAN.

Arrival pass
From HAN
To the Old Quarter
Distance30 km
CityHanoi
Updated 19 Oct 2026

International flights use Terminal 2 (T2). Domestic flights use T1.

The Turtle Tower on Hoan Kiem Lake in central Hanoi, reflected in the water
A wing and blue sky seen through an airplane window

before you fly

Three things to do at home

  1. A hand holding a phone with a map app open

    Install an eSIM so you have data the moment you land

    You need data for Grab, maps and messaging. Installing at home means no SIM counter queue and no upselling at the airport.

    Find the right plan
  2. Hands holding two passports with boarding passes tucked inside

    Get your e-visa from the official site only

    Check whether your nationality is visa-exempt first. If you need one, the 90-day e-visa costs USD 25 single entry or USD 50 multiple entry on the government portal. Agent sites charge more for the same visa.

    evisa.gov.vn
  3. Two travelers walking through a bright airport terminal

    Landing late or with kids? Book your ride now

    After about 10 pm the airport bus stops running. A pre-booked car means a driver with your name at the gate and a price fixed in advance.

    Book an airport pickup
Step 1 · Data

Which eSIM for your trip?

Tell us how long you’re staying. We compare the plans and pick the cheapest one that covers you.

How you use your phone

You’ll need roughly 4.9 GB for your trip. This is an estimate; heavy video use can double it.

Yesim

Best value
$11.23
5 GB · 30 days

Data only, no Vietnamese number. Unlimited plans may have a daily fair-use cap.

Get Yesim

Airalo

$11.50
5 GB · 30 days

Data only. Runs on Viettel and VNPT 4G.

Get Airalo

Prices in USD, checked 2026-10-13. The provider’s checkout shows the final price.

Step 2 · Getting into town

HAN to the Old Quarter: every option

Grab / Xanh SM (app)

200,000–350,000 ₫≈ $8–13
40–60 min
Best for Most travelers once their eSIM is working Book in the app after you have data, then pick your exit gate. Drivers wait just outside arrivals. Fixed price shown before you book. Fares can surge at peak times and in heavy rain.

Pre-booked private car

350,000–450,000 ₫≈ $13–17
40–60 min
Best for Late-night arrivals, families, lots of luggage Driver waits at the arrivals gate with your name on a sign. Fixed price agreed in advance. No app or local data needed when you land.
Book a fixed-price pickup

Metered taxi

300,000–400,000 ₫≈ $12–15
40–60 min
Best for No data and no booking Official taxi stand outside arrivals at T1 and T2. Use the official rank only. Ignore anyone offering a ride inside the terminal.

Bus 86 (airport express)

45,000 ₫≈ $2
45–70 min
Best for Budget travelers arriving in daytime Stops outside arrivals at T1 and T2. Pay cash on board. Runs through the Old Quarter, Hoan Kiem Lake and Hanoi Railway Station. No service late at night.

City bus 17 / 07

8,000–9,000 ₫≈ $1
60–90 min
Best for Light luggage, lots of time From T1. Bus 17 ends at Long Bien bus station, about 1 km from the Old Quarter.

heads up

Scams to skip at HAN

Taxi touts inside the terminal

People who approach you inside arrivals offering a taxi are not the official rank. Walk outside to the marked taxi stand or book in an app.

Fake “Grab” drivers

Only get into a car you booked in the app. Check the plate number and car model before you load your bags.

SIM card upselling

Airport SIM counters often push expensive bundles. If you install an eSIM before you fly, you can skip the queue entirely.

Step 3 · Day one

Your first day in Hanoi

  • Have some cash before you leave the airport

    Street food, buses and small shops are cash-only. Withdraw from a bank ATM and decline the machine’s offer to convert to your home currency.

  • Install Grab or Xanh SM before you fly

    Both work with foreign cards. Having the app ready means you can book the moment your eSIM connects.

  • Keep your e-visa approval letter offline

    Immigration may ask for it. Save a PDF or screenshot, because you may not have data in the queue.

A bowl of noodle soup with fresh herbs and chopsticks on a street-food table
noodle soup
A train passing through Hanoi's Train Street between cafés and lanterns
Train Street
People eating on low plastic stools at a Vietnamese street-food stall
plastic stools
Rowing boats among limestone islands in Ha Long Bay

Want a plan for day one? A street-food walking tour or a Ha Long Bay day trip is an easy way to start your time in Hanoi.

See tours on Klook

good to know

Quick answers

The questions travelers ask most before landing at HAN.

How much is a taxi from Noi Bai airport to the Old Quarter?

Expect 300,000–400,000 VND on the meter from the official taxi rank, and 200,000–350,000 VND for Grab or Xanh SM booked in the app. The drive is about 30 km and takes 40–60 minutes outside rush hour.

Is there a bus from Noi Bai airport to the Old Quarter?

Yes. Bus 86 costs 45,000 VND, stops at both terminals and runs through the Old Quarter. It does not run late at night, so book a car if you land after about 10 pm.

Do I need a SIM card when I land in Hanoi?

You need data to book Grab and use maps. The easiest option is an eSIM installed before your flight, which starts working when you land.

Where do I apply for a Vietnam e-visa?

Only on the government portal at evisa.gov.vn. The 90-day e-visa costs USD 25 for single entry and USD 50 for multiple entry. Agent websites charge more for the same visa.

Prices are ranges compiled from these guides; confirm the fare before you get in. Exchange rate shown at about 26,000 ₫ per USD.