Is there more than 1 airport in Hanoi?

Hanoi’s Skies: A Journey Through Time and Airports

Hanoi, the vibrant capital of Vietnam, enjoys a sophisticated air travel infrastructure, but its aviation story is richer and more layered than a simple single-airport narrative suggests. While today travelers seamlessly arrive and depart from the modern Noi Bai International Airport (HAN), Hanoi’s aviation history whispers of a different era, one centered around a now largely forgotten airfield: Gia Lam Airport.

Gia Lam, located closer to the city center than its modern counterpart, served as Hanoi’s primary airport for many decades. It played a crucial role in the country’s development, witnessing both the bustling commercial flights of peacetime and the more somber activities of wartime. Images from the past depict a smaller, less technologically advanced facility, but one that undoubtedly played a vital role in connecting Hanoi to the world.

However, the demands of a rapidly growing city and its burgeoning tourism sector outgrew Gia Lam’s capacity. Its proximity to the city centre also presented increasing challenges in terms of noise pollution and expansion limitations. This led to the construction of Noi Bai International Airport, located further from the city center, providing ample space for runways, terminals, and future expansion.

Today, Gia Lam Airport remains, but its role has fundamentally changed. It primarily serves as a military heliport under the control of the Vietnamese Air Force. While the ghosts of its past as Hanoi’s main aviation hub may linger, its current function represents a significant shift in the city’s aviation landscape.

Therefore, the answer to the question “Is there more than one airport in Hanoi?” is nuanced. While Noi Bai International Airport serves as the city’s sole commercial airport, handling the vast majority of passenger and cargo traffic, Gia Lam Airport continues to exist, though in a significantly altered capacity. The two airports, therefore, represent not just different locations, but also distinct chapters in Hanoi’s aviation history, highlighting the city’s evolution and its ongoing adaptation to the demands of modern air travel.