# Asia Highlights

# How to Get to Vietnam by Air

Flying to Vietnam is undoubtedly the best way to get in Vietnam. The country provides nice airport transport system with excellent safety record and on-time flights for the most time. Mostly important, Vietnam is well-connected to many major cities in different countries.

## Vietnam’s International Airports and Airline Carriers

Three international airports in Vietnam are all busy and frequent-used: Tan Son Nhat in Ho Chi Minh City, Danang International and Noi Bai Airport in Hanoi. And Ho Chi Minh City is the most popular one.

Vietnam Airline as the country’s official international airline provides many direct flights from main destinations to Hanoi and HCMC all over the world, such as Paris, Frankfurt, London, Moscow in Europe, Sydney, Melbourne in the Australia and about 20 airlines are operated between Hanoi/HCMC and other major cities in the Asia.

Currently no direct flights is available from the US and most opt to get in via Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur and Singapore in SE Aisa, Guangzhou, Shanghai and Hong Kong in China or Tokyo in Japan. It takes more than 20 hours for a trans-Pacific flight trip and less time when from Europe.

Some great international airlines in other countries also provide the service. In China, Air China and China Southern Airlines and China Eastern Airlines service Vietnam by providing several direct flights between China’s main cities and Hanoi/HCMC. Other countries’ prominent airlines include Air France, Cathay Pacific, Thai Airways, Malaysia Airline, Qantas, Lufthansa, Japan Airlines and Singapore Airlines.

## Airfares

Airfares vary all the time and the cost is affected by the season, airline and different travel agents. Generally a journey from the North America West Coast takes about US$1,500 (return fare), which is the same situation while from Europe. But visitors can expect discounted price during the low-season (from May through October). During the Tet from December to February, the price roar up because many Vietnamese flying in for family reunion.

## Getting in from Different Districts across the World

### From US

Destination | Non-stop/Need Transit | Flight Time | Recommended Airlines
--- | --- | --- | ---
The US | No direct flights. Fly via Tokyo in Japan, which takes 6-6 1/2 hours to Vietnam | Over 20 hours | All Nippon Airways
Fly via China, which takes about 2-3 hours from Guangzhou/ Hong Kong to Vietnam | Cathay Pacific via Hong Kong; China Southern Airlines via Guangzhou, Air China via Taipei.

Asia Highlights’ View

If transfer via Japan, there are many flights to choose. The All Nippon Airways offers great service but the price is high.Things are pretty the same when transfer via Seoul in South Korea by Korean Air.
When fly via China, visitors can transfer via Beijing, Shanghai, Hangzhou and Guangzhou.They all apply 72-hour visa-free policy. It would be a great way to add fun experience and unique China culture to your Asian trip. Hong Kong and Taipei are also good options.

### From Australia

Destination | Non-stop/Need Transit | Flight Time | Recommended Airlines
--- | --- | --- | ---
The Australia | Direct flights between Sydney/Melbourne and Hanoi/HCMC | Around 9 hours | Vietnam Airlines
Asia Highlights’ View | Transfer Options. Air Asia and Malaysia Airlines often offer discounted price for flights from Kuala Lumpur to Vietnam. Singapore Airlines also provides the transfer service via Singapore with a bit higher price than Air Asia.

### From Europe

Destination | Non-stop/Need Transit | Flight Time | Recommended Airlines
--- | --- | --- | ---
Europe | Direct flights from Paris/London/Frankfurt/Moscw | Around 12 hours | Vietnam Airlines

Asia Highlights’ View

Use connecting flights would be cheaper.

- The cheapest way is to fly via Doha, Abudhab or Dubai with nice flight service and comfortable seat. Total flight time will be 14 hours. Departing at night and staying overnight in the plane can avoid the red-eye connecting flight.
- With only 2 hours flying time from Bangkok to Vietnam and about 10 flights are run every day, Bangkok has become the most popular transit cities for Europeans. The bright part is that it will make the most of one’s travel time. Thai Airlines is recommended.

### From Southeast Asia

Destination | Non-stop/Need Transit | Flight Time | Recommended Airlines
--- | --- | --- | ---
SE Asia | Direct flights | 2-3 hours | Vietnam Airlines, Thai Airlines, Air Asia, Malaysia Airlines and Singapore Airlines.
Asia Highlights’ View | Flights from Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur and Singapore to Hanoi/HCMC are a lot. Check the air ticket early and you may get a very good discount.

### From China

Destination | >Non-stop/Need Transit | Flight Time | Recommended Airlines
--- | --- | --- | ---
China | Direct flights | 2-5 hours depending on different destinations. | Vietnam Airlines, Air China, China Southern Airlines, China Eastern Airlines and Air Asia
Asia Highlights’ View | Regular flights are operated every day between Beijing, Hangzhou, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Hong Kong, Taipei in China and Hanoi/HCMC in Vietnam. It is easy to check out the air ticket and get a good price during off-season. Flights from Beijing to Vietnam takes 4 1/2 hours, Hangzhou/ Shanghai 4 hours while Guangzhou and Hong Kong only 2 1/2 hours.

## On Arrival

Visa on arrival service are applied in the three international airports in Hanoi, Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City respectively. It is convenient and streamlined. Travelers will get an immigration form to fill out on the plane. Then submit it with the passport at the immigration counter at the airport.

If has applied for a visa online in advance, travelers need to pay the fee and get the visa before passing through immigration.

For entering Vietnam by train, boat or bus, make sure the visa has been applied ahead of getting into the country. It is also very efficient to get a Vietnam visa in Cambodia, Laos and Thailand.