The vibrant Vietnamese capital of Hanoi is a true bucket list destination – a seamless blend of ancient traditions, centuries-old architecture, mouthwatering street food, and a wonderfully chaotic energy that keeps beckoning you back. From the maze of streets in the Old Quarter to the serene waters of Hoan Kiem Lake, this city is utterly mesmerizing.
However, getting affordable flights to the Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi can sometimes seem tricky, as it’s less served by major alliances and airlines compared to hubs like Ho Chi Minh City or Bangkok. But never fear, budget travelers! With some savvy travel hacking and flexibility, it’s absolutely possible to score cheap tickets to Hanoi from across the globe. Here are my insider tips for making your Vietnam rupee stretch further on airfare.
Let’s start with taking advantage of the rise of ultra low-cost carriers like AirAsia, Cebu Pacific, Scoot, and VietJet servicing routes into Hanoi. While Their basic fares are already a bargain, I recommend paying a bit extra for the “plus” fares that include checked bags, seat selection, and a fairly generous personal item to avoid nasty fees. Using these LCCs with multi-leg journeys, I’ve flown from the US to Hanoi for as little as $300 roundtrip!
Another great strategy is to leverage Hanoi’s position as a regional flight hub to nearby countries. Flying first to major airports in China, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, or Thailand can often yield cheaper fares on full-service carriers. Then you can either connect straight to Hanoi or book a separate low-cost flight or bus for the final short hop into Vietnam.
It pays to get creative here too. For example, I’ve snagged $400 roundtrip tickets from the US by flying to Shanghai first with United, then booking a cheap $100 roundtrip AirAsia flight from there to Hanoi. The multi-city itinerary saved hundreds over a direct routing!
Don’t overlook budget airlines like AirAsia and Scoot for longer haul flights either. I took Scoot’s direct flight from Los Angeles to Singapore for just $330 roundtrip, then tacked on a cheap $60 flight to Hanoi. Their fares include a standard 7kg carry-on too – enough for my backpack load.
If you prefer a full-service experience and have more flexibility for a long-haul journey, airlines like ANA, China Airlines, and Philippine Airlines often have shockingly low fares to Hanoi from major US hubs like $450-600 roundtrip. I grabbed a $520 ticket on China Airlines from LAX to Hanoi via Taipei in their modern economy cabin.
When timing flexibility is limited, leverage tools like Google Flights and Skyscanner to easily compare fares across countless airlines, connections, and travel dates. Be sure to check nearby airports like Da Nang too, as you may find lower fares that work perfectly for an open-jaw return flight.
Also take advantage of student/youth fares or travel bank promotions if you’re eligible. Many major airlines offer discounted fares to Vietnam for those under 26, while credit cards like the United Explorer often have huge bonuses that can get you flights nearly free when redeemed properly.
Mystery deals and price mistakes are another option to keep an eye out for insanely cheap fares to Hanoi. I recently jumped on a $300 roundtrip from Montreal that popped up for 48 hours only on Aeromexico, with a short layover in Mexico City. Of course, always book these quickly and be prepared for schedule changes!
For many travelers coming from Europe, the Middle Eastern airline giants like Emirates, Etihad, and Qatar offer some of the best combination of price and full-service comfort on flights to Hanoi. Their super modern hubs provide easy connections and you can score roundtrip economy fares from €400-600 from most major EU cities.
Upgrading to business class may also be worth pricing out, as their premium fares to Vietnam can be quite reasonable and include luxuries like lay-flat beds and lounge access. Some even offer affordable stopover holidays en route if you want to split up the journey.
And if all else fails, positioning yourself first to a closer major Asian hub and then hopping a low-cost regional flight into Hanoi’s Noi Bai airport may yield the very best deal. For example, I’ve seen flights to Hanoi from Singapore, Bangkok, or Kuala Lumpur for as little as $50 roundtrip on AirAsia and others.
So whether you’re looking to splurge on a luxury flat-bed experience from Europe or the Americas, or are happy with a no-frills multi-stop journey on Asia’s budget carriers, there are more ways than ever to get cheap flights to incredible Hanoi! With some flexibility and willingness to get creative, your dream Vietnamese adventure is easily within reach for a fraction of the cost you may expect.