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. To clear immigration you need visa-free status for your passport or a Vietnam e-Visa — check your nationality on Vietnam’s official e-Visa portal (evisa.gov.vn) before you fly.

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 waives visas for 45-day stays for citizens of Germany, France, Italy, Spain, the UK, Russia, Japan, South Korea, Denmark, Sweden, Norway and Finland (15 March 2025 – 14 March 2028), and — for tourism — Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia and Switzerland (15 August 2025 – 14 August 2028), per Vietnam’s embassies. Other nationalities need a Vietnam e-Visa (USD 25 single entry, USD 50 multiple, up to 90 days) unless another exemption applies.

Can I leave Hanoi Airport during a long layover?

Yes if you have a visa or are visa-exempt. Our Hanoi airport transport guide covers buses, taxis and Grab from Noi Bai 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.