Flight to Hanoi (HAN)

Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, is a city of lakes, tree-lined boulevards and narrow lanes packed with street food stalls and motorbikes. It blends centuries-old temples with French colonial architecture and a fast-growing modern skyline. For Malaysians it is a favourite short-haul escape, thanks to good-value food, cooler winters than home and easy access to Ha Long Bay and Ninh Binh. Searching for flights to Hanoi from Kuala Lumpur is simple, and there are also connections from other Malaysian cities via regional hubs.

About Noi Bai Airport in Hanoi

Location

Noi Bai International Airport (HAN) lies in the Soc Son area on Hanoi's northern outskirts, on the far side of the Red River from the city centre. It is the main airport for Hanoi and the whole of northern Vietnam, and a modern expressway links it to the city across one of the new river bridges.

Terminals

Noi Bai has separate passenger terminals for domestic and international traffic. Terminal 1 handles domestic routes, while Terminal 2, the newer building, serves international arrivals and departures, including flights from Malaysia. The two are connected by a free shuttle, which matters if you are connecting to a domestic flight to Da Nang or elsewhere.

Getting to and from the airport

An airport express bus runs between the terminals and the Old Quarter area, and several public bus routes serve other parts of Hanoi. Metered taxis wait outside arrivals, and ride-hailing apps are widely used and easy to book with a local SIM or airport Wi-Fi. Many accommodations also offer pre-arranged pick-ups, handy for late-night arrivals.

Direct and connecting flights to Hanoi

Non-stop flights link Kuala Lumpur to Hanoi, making it one of the easiest international trips from Malaysia. Travellers from Penang, Kota Kinabalu, Kuching or Johor Bahru usually connect via Kuala Lumpur or another regional hub. On Traveloka, tick the direct-flight filter to see only non-stop KUL to HAN options, then sort by departure time or price to match your plans.

Noi Bai is currently Hanoi's only commercial airport, so every search for the city lands you at HAN. If you want to see both ends of the country, consider an open-jaw trip: fly into Hanoi and home from Ho Chi Minh City or Da Nang, linking them with a train or domestic flight.

When to fly to Hanoi

Unlike Malaysia, northern Vietnam has distinct seasons. Winter, roughly December to February, is cool and often grey, and can feel surprisingly chilly, so pack a jacket. Spring brings mild days and drizzle, while summer from about May to August is hot, humid and the wettest time of year. Autumn, from September to November, is widely considered the most pleasant period, with clear skies and comfortable temperatures.

Travel demand peaks around Tết, the Lunar New Year, when many Vietnamese travel home and some businesses close for several days. From Malaysia, interest also rises during school holidays, Chinese New Year and the Hari Raya and Deepavali long weekends. Check the monthly fare chart on this page to see which periods are usually calmer.

Popular places in Hanoi

Hoan Kiem Lake and the Old Quarter

Hoan Kiem Lake is the heart of the city, with the red Huc Bridge leading to Ngoc Son Temple. North of it, the Old Quarter's maze of streets, each once dedicated to a single trade, is ideal for wandering, shopping and snacking. On weekend evenings the streets around the lake close to traffic.

Temple of Literature

Founded as a temple to Confucius and later home to Vietnam's first national university, the Temple of Literature is a series of calm courtyards, ponds and pavilions. Stone steles carved with the names of past scholars stand in its grounds.

Ba Dinh Square and the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum

This grand open square is where Vietnam's independence was declared. The mausoleum, the Presidential Palace grounds and the One Pillar Pagoda are all close by, so the area is easily covered in a morning.

West Lake

West Lake is Hanoi's largest lake, lined with cafés and home to Tran Quoc Pagoda, one of the oldest in the country. Sunset views and a relaxed pace make it a good break from the busy centre.

Day trips to Ha Long Bay and Ninh Binh

Ha Long Bay, with its thousands of limestone islets, can be visited on a day trip or an overnight cruise. Ninh Binh, south of Hanoi, offers rice fields, river caves and karst scenery that earned it the nickname "Ha Long Bay on land".

Where to stay in Hanoi

The Old Quarter is the most popular base, putting you within walking distance of Hoan Kiem Lake, markets and street food. The French Quarter, just south, has wider streets, grand colonial buildings and the Opera House. Tay Ho, around West Lake, is quieter and popular with longer-stay visitors. Ba Dinh suits those who want to be near the historic sights, while Cau Giay to the west is a modern business district with newer shopping malls.

Food to try in Hanoi

Pho

Hanoi is widely seen as the home of pho, a clear, fragrant broth with flat rice noodles and fresh herbs. Beef and chicken versions are both common, and chicken pho is an easy choice for travellers who avoid pork.

Bun cha

Grilled pork patties and slices served in a sweet-sour dipping sauce with rice vermicelli and herbs, bun cha is the classic Hanoi lunch, cooked over charcoal on the pavement.

Banh cuon

These silky steamed rice rolls are filled with minced meat and wood ear mushrooms, topped with fried shallots and dipped in a light fish sauce dressing.

Cha ca

A Hanoi speciality of turmeric-marinated fish fried at the table with plenty of dill and spring onions, then eaten with rice noodles, peanuts and herbs.

Muslim travellers will find a small number of halal eateries around the Old Quarter, and seafood and vegetarian dishes are widely available.

Book your flights to Hanoi

With its food, history and scenery, Hanoi is an easy city to love. Compare Kuala Lumpur to Hanoi flights, set a Price Alert for your dates and keep your e-ticket in the Traveloka app, backed by Easy Reschedule and 24/7 customer service. Before you go, check the entry requirements for your passport.