Last updated 9 November 2026 by the Ava Travel team in Hanoi.
The short answer: at Hanoi Noi Bai, international flights use Terminal 2 and domestic flights Terminal 1. Flying in from abroad and on to Da Nang, Ho Chi Minh City or Phu Quoc means entering Vietnam at T2, collecting your bags, taking the free airport shuttle to T1 and checking in again. Ava Travel arranges someone to meet you at the gate and take you through it; price and availability are confirmed for your flights within 1 hour.
Tell us both flight numbers and how many travellers.
Ask for connecting assistanceWhatsApp +84 904 251 545 or info@avastravelagency.com. You pay only after we confirm the price and that it can be done.
The three kinds of connection at Noi Bai
| Your connection | Immigration in Vietnam? | Bags | Where you go |
|---|---|---|---|
| International to domestic (for example Bangkok to Hanoi to Da Nang) | Yes, at T2: you need an e-visa or a visa-free passport | Collect at T2, check in again at T1 | Free shuttle T2 to T1 |
| Domestic to international (for example Hue to Hanoi to Seoul) | Yes, departure immigration at T2 | Collect at T1, check in again at T2 | Free shuttle T1 to T2 |
| International to international | No, stay airside | Usually checked through; ask your airline | Transfer counters on floor 2 of T2, before immigration |
Source: Noi Bai airport's transfer guide. The shuttle runs from 05:00 to about 01:00; between 07:00 and 23:00 two buses leave every 15 minutes, at other times one every 20 minutes. It stops at T1 floor 1 (Hall A) and at T2 floor 1.
How much time to leave
- Separate tickets, international to domestic: at least 3 hours. You queue at immigration, wait for bags, ride the shuttle and check in again, and the second airline owes you nothing if you miss its flight.
- One ticket on one airline: the airline sets the minimum connection time and rebooks you if the first flight is late. Still allow for the T2 to T1 shuttle.
- Late evening arrivals: check that your onward flight leaves before the shuttle stops, or plan a night in Hanoi.
What the assistance covers
- Meeting you as you leave the aircraft, with your name on a sign.
- The priority lane at immigration in T2, then your bags and customs.
- Walking you to the shuttle and through check-in and security at T1.
- Watching both flights, so a late arrival is handled on the day.
It does not replace a visa. Travellers who only change planes airside (international to international) do not pass Vietnamese immigration; check your airline's transit rules instead. Planning a stop in Hanoi rather than a quick connection? See Noi Bai arrival fast track and how long immigration takes at Noi Bai.
Frequently asked questions
How do I transfer from an international to a domestic flight at Hanoi Noi Bai?
Clear immigration and customs at Terminal 2, collect your bags, take the free shuttle to Terminal 1 and check in again at your domestic airline. You need an e-visa or a visa-free passport for this.
How much time do I need to connect at Noi Bai from international to domestic?
At least 3 hours on separate tickets. On one ticket the airline's minimum applies, but leave room for the shuttle between terminals.
Is there a shuttle between Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 at Noi Bai?
Yes, free, from about 05:00 to 01:00, every 15 minutes from 07:00 to 23:00 and every 20 minutes at other times.
Do I need a Vietnam visa to change planes in Hanoi?
Not for international to international transfers that stay airside. Yes for international to domestic, because you enter Vietnam at Terminal 2.
Ava Travel's Vietnam visa and arrival guides
Guides
- Vietnam visa rules by passport: who needs a visa, the official site, cruises, Cambodia and Laos side trips
- How much a Vietnam e-visa costs: the US$25 government fee next to what agencies charge
- How long a Vietnam e-visa takes: working days, holidays and urgent options
- E-visa rejected: what to do next: the usual reasons and how to reapply
- Vietnam e-visa photo rules: size, background, glasses, a phone photo at home
- Can you extend a Vietnam visa?: why an e-visa cannot be extended and what works instead
- E-visa still processing: how long is normal: when to wait and when to act
- Still processing and you fly tomorrow: what you can still do, in order
- E-visas at weekends and on holidays: the latest safe time before a weekend flight
- Is an urgent visa service legit?: 5 checks before you pay anyone
- Immigration wait at Hanoi Noi Bai: how long from landing to the exit
- Whether Noi Bai fast track is worth it: when to pay for it and when to skip it
Services you can book
- Vietnam e-visa service: from US$55 with the government fee, book online
- E-visa result in 1 or 2 hours, already applied: US$200 or US$165, money back if it is not issued in time
- Urgent help with an e-visa still processing: 4 hours (US$90) or 8 to 12 hours (US$70)
- Arrival package: e-visa, fast track and car: 10% off when you book them together
- Hanoi Noi Bai fast track: arrival and departure, book online
- Noi Bai connecting flight assistance (this page): international to domestic and back
- Ho Chi Minh City Tan Son Nhat fast track: Terminal 2 arrivals and departures
- Da Nang airport fast track: for Da Nang and Hoi An trips
