Noi Bai Airport Arrival Video: What Happens When You Land in Hanoi
By VietnamVisaEasy Visa Team · 2026-11-11
This Noi Bai Airport arrival video takes you from the plane door to your ride into Hanoi in under 2 minutes. It covers 8 stops in order: checks before you fly, Terminal 2, the visa on arrival counter, immigration, baggage claim, customs, the arrival hall and the trip into the city.
Press play above (English voice-over, captions on), or read the same steps below with the time in the video where each one starts. For more detail on each stop, our full Noi Bai Airport guide goes further.
| At a glance | Landing at Noi Bai Airport |
|---|---|
| Video length | 1 min 56 s |
| International arrivals | Terminal 2 |
| Immigration time | Often under 30 minutes |
| Visa on arrival counter | Only for approval-letter holders |
| Ride to central Hanoi | About 45–60 minutes |
| Pre-arrival form | Optional, within 3 days before landing |
What does the Noi Bai Airport arrival video show?
It follows one arrival in the order you will meet each stop. Use the times to jump to the part you need.
| Time in video | Stop | What to do there |
|---|---|---|
| 0:08 | Before you fly | Check the e-visa entry port, dates, name and passport number |
| 0:26 | Landing | Follow the Arrivals and Immigration signs in Terminal 2 |
| 0:38 | Visa on arrival | Only approval-letter holders stop here |
| 0:51 | Immigration | Show passport and e-visa; get the entry stamp |
| 1:03 | Baggage | Find your belt on the screens |
| 1:11 | Customs | Green channel, or red if you have something to declare |
| 1:20 | Arrival hall | ATMs, exchange and SIM card counters |
| 1:33 | Into Hanoi | Taxi, Grab, airport bus or hotel pick-up |
What should you check before you fly to Hanoi?
Check that your e-visa lists Noi Bai as the entry port and that every detail matches your passport. A wrong port or a typo is the most common reason for trouble at the desk.
- Entry port: Noi Bai International Airport.
- Start date: on or before your landing date.
- Name and passport number: exactly as in the passport.
- Copy: print the PDF or keep it on your phone, with the battery charged.
- Pre-arrival form: optional but recommended; fill it in free within 3 days before landing.
Our final check before departure lists everything to look at on the e-visa PDF.
Do you need the visa on arrival counter?
Only if you have a visa on arrival approval letter; e-visa holders and visa-free travelers go straight to immigration. The counter is before the immigration desks on the route from the gate.
Approval-letter holders need the letter, passport photos and the stamping fee in cash. If you are unsure which group you are in, read our visa on arrival guide. The official e-visa portal is evisa.gov.vn, where you can look up your e-visa before you travel.
How does immigration at Noi Bai work?
Hand over your passport and e-visa, the officer checks them and stamps your passport. It is often done in under 30 minutes.
- Join the line for foreign passports.
- Keep your passport and e-visa in your hand, not in your bag.
- Have your hotel address and return or onward ticket on your phone in case the officer asks.
Queues are longest when 3 or 4 long-haul flights land together. Early morning and late evening arrivals are often quicker.
What happens after immigration?
Collect your bags, pass customs, then find cash, a SIM card and your ride in the arrival hall.
Baggage (1:03). Check the screens for your flight's belt. Keep your baggage tags until you leave the airport.
Customs (1:11). With nothing to declare, walk through the green channel. Foreign cash above US$5,000 or the equivalent must be declared, so use the red channel in that case. Bags may be scanned on the way out.
Arrival hall (1:20). ATMs and exchange counters are here; change only what you need for the first day, because city rates are usually better. Mobile network counters sell tourist SIM cards, and you need your passport to register one. Our money and SIM card guide compares the options.
How do you get from Noi Bai Airport into Hanoi?
A licensed taxi, Grab or hotel pick-up takes about 45–60 minutes to central Hanoi; the airport bus is cheaper but slower.
| Option | Time | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Licensed taxi | 45–60 min | Late arrivals, families with luggage |
| Grab | 45–60 min | Upfront price shown in the app |
| Airport bus | Longer, with stops | Light bags, tight budget |
| Hotel pick-up | 45–60 min | First visit, night arrival |
Use the official taxi rank or the app pick-up point, and avoid drivers who approach you inside the terminal. See the Vietnam airport transfer guide for prices and booking tips.
Connecting to a domestic flight at Noi Bai?
You must pass immigration and customs in Terminal 2 first, so you need a visa or exemption even for a short connection. Domestic flights leave from Terminal 1.
After customs, move to Terminal 1 by the free shuttle or a short transfer and check in again for your flight to Da Nang, Hue or Phu Quoc. On separate tickets, allow at least 3 hours between flights, because you collect and re-check your bags.
Still need your e-visa? Our Vietnam e-visa video guide shows how to apply and pay in about 5 minutes.
Frequently asked questions
Which terminal do international flights use at Noi Bai Airport?
International flights arrive at Terminal 2. Domestic flights use Terminal 1, so connecting passengers enter Vietnam first and then move between terminals.
Do e-visa holders need to queue at the visa on arrival counter?
No. Only travelers with a visa on arrival approval letter stop there. E-visa holders and visa-free travelers go straight to the immigration desks.
How long does immigration at Noi Bai take?
Often under 30 minutes. It can take an hour or more when several long-haul flights land together; early morning and late evening arrivals are often quicker.
How long is the ride from Noi Bai Airport to central Hanoi?
About 45–60 minutes by taxi, Grab or hotel pick-up. The airport bus is cheaper but slower because it stops along the way.
Is the pre-arrival form mandatory?
It is optional but recommended. You can fill it in for free within 3 days before you land and show the QR code if asked.
Need your visa today?
Urgent options from 30–60 minutes, also on weekends & holidays.
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