Air travel in Vietnam is your best domestic travel option if you're pressed for time, or if traveling between extended distances down Vietnam's length - especially if you're traveling between Hanoi and Hue, Da Nang and Nha Trang, or Nha Trang and Ho Chi Minh City. (See our map of Vietnam to get a grip on the relative distances involved.)
- Hanoi - Noi Bai International Airport - Official Site
- Ho Chi Minh City - Tan Son Nhat International Airport - Official Site
Vietnam Airlines (VN) covers a range of routes within Vietnam. The national carrier flies between the cities of Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh, Da Nang, Hue, and Nha Trang.
From its hubs at Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam Airlines also flies to Dien Bien, Hai Phong, Vinh, Dong Hoi, Chu Lai (near Tam Ky), Pleiku, Quy Nhon, Tuy Hoa, Buon Ma Thuot, Dalat, Phu Quoc, Rach Gia, Can Tho, Con Dao, and Ca Mau.
Jetstar Pacific Airlines covers popular domestic routes from its Tan Son Nhat International Airport base in Ho Chi Minh City.
Jetstar covers the cities of Can Tho, Da Nang, Hanoi, Hai Phong, Hue, Nha Trang, and Vinh. A typical seat on the Ho Chi Minh City-Hanoi route costs $54.
Domestic travelers must pay a departure tax of VND20,000 (about $1.17) if leaving Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Da Nang or Hai Phong. Travelers leaving any other Vietnam airports must pay VND10,000 (about $0.50).
Helicopter flights from Hanoi to Ha Long Bay can be arranged with Northern Airport Flight Service Company (address: 173 Pho Truong Chinh, Hanoi; phone: 04-827 4409; fax 827 2780).
The Company flies every Saturday from Gia Lam Airport at 8am. Travelers can take advantage of free transfers to the airport from the Sofitel Metropole Hotel. The helicopter ride costs $175 per person, with a minimum of six passengers. A private charter will set you back $3695 per round trip.
