Transit Visa for Hanoi Airport (HAN) — Do You Need One? 2026

Do I need a transit visa for Hanoi Noi Bai Airport?

Airside transit at HAN is generally visa-free for all nationalities — if you stay in the international transit area and your connecting flight is within 24 hours, no transit visa is required. The visa rules only apply if you plan to clear immigration (e.g. to leave the airport for a layover or to transfer between Terminal 1 and Terminal 2).

Can I transfer between Hanoi Terminal 1 and Terminal 2?

T1 is for domestic flights and T2 is for international. The two terminals are connected by a free shuttle bus (about 5 minutes), but the route is landside — you'll need to clear immigration to make the transfer. UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Japan, South Korea, Singapore and several other nationalities are visa-free for up to 45 days (extended from 15 in 2023). US, Australian, Canadian and Indian passport holders need a Vietnam e-Visa.

How do I apply for a Vietnam e-Visa for Hanoi transit?

Apply online at evisa.gov.vn at least 3 working days before travel. The 90-day single or multiple entry e-Visa costs ~$25 (single) or $50 (multiple). You'll need a passport bio-page photo, a passport-style headshot, your entry/exit dates and the entry port (Noi Bai for HAN). Approval is by email within 3–5 working days. Print the e-Visa — Hanoi immigration sometimes asks for the paper copy.

How long is the Vietnam visa-free stay for transit?

Vietnam extended visa-free stays to 45 days in 2023 for 13 nationalities including UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland and Russia. The 45-day stay is more than enough for a transit, weekend trip, or extended stopover. Single entry only — re-entering Vietnam within 30 days previously required a 30-day wait but this rule was lifted in 2023.

Can I leave Hanoi Airport during a long layover?

Yes if you have a visa or are visa-exempt. Use airport left-luggage (1st floor, ₫50,000–80,000 per bag). Grab or taxi to Hanoi Old Quarter is 35–50 minutes, around ₫300,000–400,000 (US$12–16). The airport bus 86 runs every 25 minutes (5:30am–10:30pm), costs ₫35,000, and terminates at Hanoi Railway Station — close to the Old Quarter.

What's the difference between e-Visa and visa-on-arrival in Vietnam?

e-Visa is the modern, cheaper, online option — apply at evisa.gov.vn, receive by email, present at any airport. Visa-on-arrival (VOA) requires a pre-approval letter from a Vietnamese travel agent, then payment in USD cash at the airport — slower and more expensive. e-Visa is the right choice for almost every transit traveller. VOA still works for nationalities not yet covered by e-Visa.