Flights from Japan to Vietnam are among Southeast Asia's shortest routes, reaching Hanoi in about 5 hours and Ho Chi Minh City in about 6 hours.
Direct flights are operated by four carriers — Vietnam Airlines, VietJet, Japan Airlines (JAL), and All Nippon Airways (ANA) — with departure airports spanning Narita, Haneda, Chubu, Kansai, Fukuoka, and Hiroshima, and on April 28, 2026, Mt. Fuji Shizuoka Airport is also scheduled to get its first regular Southeast Asian service.
In addition to basic flight information, this article, from the perspective of a Vietnam resident, goes into carrying souvenirs home and the usability of each airline.
It's put together so you can choose the best flight without getting lost even on a first Vietnam trip, so please use it as a reference.
Flight time and time difference from Japan to Vietnam
Before booking a flight, what you first want to grasp is the duration and the time difference. Here we organize the basic information you'll want to check at the stage of building your travel or business-trip schedule.
Duration to the three main cities
| Arrival airport | Outbound (Japan → Vietnam) | Return (Vietnam → Japan) |
|---|---|---|
| Hanoi (Noi Bai) | About 5 hours 30 minutes to 6 hours | About 4 hours 30 minutes to 5 hours |
| Ho Chi Minh City (Tan Son Nhat) | About 6 to 7 hours | About 5 hours 30 minutes to 6 hours 50 minutes |
| Da Nang | About 5 hours 40 minutes to 6 hours | About 5 hours to 5 hours 30 minutes |
The outbound leg from Japan to Vietnam is longer because it goes against the westerlies, while the return leg from Vietnam to Japan tends to be about 30 minutes to an hour shorter, riding a tailwind.
The time difference from Japan is 2 hours (no daylight saving time)
Vietnam is 2 hours behind Japan.When it's 9 a.m. in Japan, it's 7 a.m. in Vietnam. Because a daylight-saving system isn't adopted, the time difference doesn't change in summer or winter.
There's almost no worry of jet lag, and if you act on local time, you can enjoy sightseeing right from the next day.
The four carriers operating direct flights from Japan to Vietnam
| Airline | Characteristics | Advantages | Points to note | Recommended for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vietnam Airlines (VN) | Vietnam's state-owned airline | Wider seats than an LCC | ・Prices higher than an LCC ・In-flight announcements center on English and Vietnamese | Those who want stable service while keeping the price down |
| VietJet (VJ) | A price-focused LCC | Cheap tickets (sales available) | ・In-flight meals and baggage cost extra ・Seats are somewhat narrow | ・Those who prioritize price |
| Japanese airlines (JAL / ANA) | Japanese-style high-quality service | ・Stable hospitality and service ・Japanese-language support for peace of mind ・Miles accumulate | ・Prices are higher | ・Business-purpose travel ・Those who want service quality ・Those who want to accumulate JAL or ANA miles |
As of April 2026, four carriers operate direct flights between Japan and Vietnam: Vietnam Airlines, VietJet Air, Japan Airlines, and All Nippon Airways.There are big differences in price, service, and mileage programs, and how you choose changes your travel satisfaction.
In price, the LCC VietJet is relatively cheap, followed by Vietnam Airlines, then the Japanese carriers JAL and ANA, which tend to be more expensive.
Vietnam Airlines (VN): the full-service state carrier with the most routes
Vietnam's flag carrier, flying from five Japanese airports (Narita, Haneda, Chubu, Kansai, Fukuoka) to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, and additionally to Da Nang from Narita and Kansai.
In-flight meals come in varieties like kids' meals, vegetarian, and fruit meals, and seat width is no different from the Japanese carriers. Since the crew are mostly Vietnamese, in-flight announcements are mainly in English or Vietnamese.
The author has boarded more than 10 times with a preschool child and has spent the flights comfortably without major trouble.
VietJet (VJ): a price-focused LCC, rapidly expanding its served airports
One of Southeast Asia's largest LCCs, its Japan routes span Narita, Haneda, Chubu, Kansai, Fukuoka, and Hiroshima, and from April 28, 2026, it's also scheduled to serve Mt. Fuji Shizuoka Airport.
As an LCC, checked baggage and in-flight meals are optional and many seats are narrower than other airlines, but during sales, tickets in the 10,000-yen range one way can appear.
Japan Airlines (JAL) / All Nippon Airways (ANA): for those who value Japanese-style service
JAL flies from Narita, Haneda, and Kansai to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, and ANA flies from Narita, Haneda, and Kansai to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City plus Narita–Da Nang.
They tend to be chosen by those accumulating JAL Mileage Bank or ANA Mileage Club points, and by those who want high Japanese-style service.
Direct-flight matrix by departure airport (April 2026 information)
| Departure airport | Hanoi | Ho Chi Minh City | Da Nang |
|---|---|---|---|
| Narita | VN・JL・NH・VJ | VN・JL・NH・VJ | VN・NH (up to 2 flights a day) |
| Haneda | VN・JL・NH・VJ | VN・JL・NH・VJ | No direct flights |
| Central | VN・VJ | VN・VJ | No direct flights |
| Shizuoka (new from 2026/4/28) | VJ (3 flights a week) | No direct flights | No direct flights |
| Kansai | VN・JL・NH・VJ | VN・JL・NH・VJ | VN |
| Hiroshima | VJ | No direct flights | No direct flights |
| Fukuoka | VN・VJ | VN・VJ | No direct flights |
| Others (Sapporo, Sendai, etc.) | No direct flights | No direct flights | No direct flights |
VN = Vietnam Airlines, JL = Japan Airlines, NH = All Nippon Airways, VJ = VietJet Air (abbreviations).
Note that direct flights to Da Nang are limited to the two airports of Narita and Kansai, and from other regions you'll transit via Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City in principle.
New route: the launch of Mt. Fuji Shizuoka Airport–Hanoi
The Shizuoka–Hanoi route, launched on April 28, 2026, is a long-awaited route for Tokai-area residents, letting them use a direct flight without traveling to a Kanto or Kansai airport. It starts at three flights a week (Tue, Thu, Sun), with added flights hoped for depending on demand.
The characteristics of Vietnam's main airports and how to move after entry
Vietnam's three airports each differ in scale and entry flow. Grasp the points for entry and travel, and get around comfortably.
Noi Bai International Airport (Hanoi)
About 30 km to downtown Hanoi, about 45 minutes by car. Terminal 2 is for international flights, and immigration can be a one-hour wait when crowded.
Mid-sized as an international airport, after departure procedures there are a few small kiosks and cafés. If you're buying a SIM card in a hurry, buy it at the airport.
Tan Son Nhat International Airport (Ho Chi Minh City)
About 7 km to District 1 of Ho Chi Minh City, about 20–40 minutes by car, with good access.
From April 2026,an advance registration system for foreign arrivalshas begun. Registration isn't mandatory, but applying in advance before entry can be expected to streamline immigration.
As of May 2026, the only airport adopting this system is Tan Son Nhat.
Da Nang International Airport
About 3 km to downtown Da Nang, within about 15 minutes by taxi from the airport — its compact location is an appeal. A hub for central resorts, Hoi An and Hue are within a 1–3-hour drive too. Choose an early-morning arrival and you can head straight to World Heritage sightseeing that same day.
About the fast-track service at entry
At the main airports, depending on timing, immigration can take over an hour. If you don't want to lose time at the airport, using a priority entry service is reassuring.
GET YOUR GUIDEandKlookBuy the fast-track service in advance and you're guided to the priority immigration lane, so you don't have to line up in the regular lane's queue.
Cautions when traveling from the airport to the city
When using a taxi from the airport, there's trouble with being charged exorbitant fares.
Refrain from using touting taxis at the airport and use the ride-hailing appGrab. Because the fare is known in advance on the ride-hailing app, it helps avoid trouble.
Direct flight or connecting flight — which to choose
From regions with no direct flights, such as Sapporo, Sendai, Hiroshima (in part), and Naha, you'll use connecting flights.
Direct and connecting flights each have their advantages, so use them differently by purpose.
Who should choose a direct flight
- Those who want to maximize sightseeing time on a short 3–4-night trip
- Those who want to avoid the burden of transfers when traveling with children or the elderly
- Business trips with a meeting or inspection right after arrival
- Those planning to bring home large souvenirs (plastic baskets, ceramics, etc.)
Who should choose a connecting flight
- Price-focused travelers who want to hold down a 10,000–30,000-yen difference
- Those who want to combine sightseeing at a transit point like Singapore, Bangkok, or Taipei
- Those who want to accumulate miles and stick to a specific airline
- Those living in a region with no direct flights, such as Sapporo or Sendai
Guide to duration by transit point
| Transit point | Total duration | Main airlines |
|---|---|---|
| Hong Kong | About 9–11 hours | Cathay Pacific |
| Bangkok | About 10–12 hours | Thai Airways |
| Singapore | About 12–14 hours | Singapore Airlines |
| Seoul | About 9–11 hours | Korean Air / Asiana |
| Taipei | About 8–10 hours | China Airlines |
A resident's view: complete guide to carrying souvenirs home
If you don't sort out your travel items before departure, you could end up with overage fees or having to give up on the souvenirs you went to the trouble of buying.
Grasp each airline's baggage rules and secure space for souvenirs.
Packing techniques for liquids and pastes
Since liquids of 100 ml or more can't be brought into the cabin, put them all in checked baggage. Strong-smelling items like nuoc mam (fish sauce) and Vietnamese soy sauce may not be allowed even as checked baggage even under 100 ml, so put them in your suitcase.
When buying souvenirs, choose sealed bottle types, and to be safe, put them in a resealable bag like a Ziploc to carry home.
Handling large goods like plastic baskets and non la
Plastic baskets and non la (conical traditional hats), synonymous with Vietnamese goods, are large and deform if crushed, so we recommend putting them in the overhead bin as cabin carry-on baggage.
When using an LCC, choose a size that fits the carry-on dimensions (the maximum is about 56 cm x 36 cm x 23 cm), and for easily deformed decorated items, reinforce them with cardboard and check them in.
Comparison of Vietnamese airlines
Vietnam Airlines and VietJet are both Vietnamese airlines, but they each have differences. Grasp the airlines' characteristics and choose the flight that suits your purpose.
Vietnam Airlines vs. VietJet, compared from a resident's view
| Item | Vietnam Airlines (VN) | VietJet (VJ) |
|---|---|---|
| In-flight meals | Free (1–2 times on Hanoi flights) | Paid (from about 500 yen) |
| Seat pitch | About 81 cm | About 73 cm |
| Personal monitor | Yes | No |
| Checked baggage | Free (up to 46 kg depending on conditions) | Paid (about 4,000 yen for an added 20 kg) |
| Guide to total cost | One way: about 50,000–80,000 yen | One way: about 30,000–50,000 yen |
Even VietJet, which looks cheap at first glance, has cases where the price gap with Vietnam Airlines narrows once you add baggage and in-flight meals.
Depending on the weight of your checked baggage, choosing Vietnam Airlines, which checks baggage for free, can end up cheaper.
On-time performance and cancellation risk
Each airline's on-time performance is as follows.
- Vietnam Airlines: 71%
- VietJet: 50.6%
- ANA：78.8％
- JAL：78.25％
Source:Vietnam's on-time performance, VietJet last at about 50% (July 15, 2025, Poste)
Delay trouble often can't be avoided, so it's best to set a schedule with plenty of margin.
Recommendations by use
- Family trip / first Vietnam trip: JAL, ANA, Vietnam Airlines (free checked baggage depending on allowance, meals included)
- Business trip: JAL, ANA, or Vietnam Airlines, with high on-time performance
- Price-focused travel: VietJet (save on hotel costs with a late-night flight)
- For souvenir buying: JAL, ANA, Vietnam Airlines (free checked baggage depending on allowance)
- Mile-focused: JAL, ANA (consider partner flights too)
Cheap seasons and booking timing for flights
Tickets to Vietnam can differ by more than double depending on the season. Grasp the seasons and purchase timing for booking cheaply.
Cheap seasons: June, November, after Golden Week
It depends on the region, but prices tend to drop in the May–October rainy season. For details on the rainy and dry seasons, refer to the Vietnam rainy and dry season guide.
Expensive seasons: Lunar New Year (Tet), year-end and New Year, Spring Festival
During Tet (Lunar New Year) from late January to February, year-end and New Year, and summer break (July–August), tickets jump to more than double. Around Tet, flights including Japanese carriers tend to fill up, so booking three months ahead is the safe zone.
The best timing to book
At 3–4 months before departure, you're likely to be able to choose your preferred seat. VietJet and Vietnam Airlines regularly hold campaigns where you can buy tickets at a discount. We recommend catching the info by subscribing to the newsletter.
Within the last month before departure, prices conversely tend to rise, and Friday and Saturday departures in particular are pricier.
Resident recommendations: guide to the best flight by use
When the purpose differs — "sightseeing, business, gift buying" — the best flight changes too. From a resident's viewpoint, we organize recommendations by purpose.
Sightseeing: make good use of day one with a morning-arrival flight
Morning-departure flights arrive in Hanoi, Da Nang, and Ho Chi Minh City at 3–4 p.m., letting you start city sightseeing that same day. Refer to the 10 recommended Vietnam travel cities and build your day-one route.
Business: Japanese carriers recommended, prioritizing on-time operation
For a business trip with a meeting or factory inspection the next day, JAL, ANA, or Vietnam Airlines, with high on-time arrival, are safe. A morning flight from Narita lets you visit a Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City client by that evening.
Gift buying: choose a flight with a wide checked-baggage allowance
If you're buying coffee, dried fruit, and goods in bulk for business use, we recommend Japanese carriers or Vietnam Airlines, since their free-baggage allowance is larger than an LCC's.
Because VietJet has no free checked-baggage allowance, you need to buy it in advance to match the weight.
Conclusion: choose by use and departure point and a Vietnam trip gets closer
Flights from Japan to Vietnam run on four carriers and over 10 routes, and in 2026 the Shizuoka–Hanoi route was added, making access even more convenient.
Choosing by use and departure point — full-service Vietnam Airlines for a family trip, VietJet for price focus, and the two Japanese carriers for business — is the trick to a satisfying booking. If you plan to bring home a lot of souvenirs, don't forget to check the checked-baggage rules and prepare liquid packing too.
Frequently asked questions
I'm anxious about immigration with a small child.
At Vietnam's airports, dedicated lanes for those with children are often available. If you're with a child aged 2 or under, you can go through immigration as a priority.
The priority lane is hard to spot, so check with airport staff after arrival.
I'm not confident in Vietnamese or English. Which airline should I choose?
At VietJet and Vietnam Airlines, the number of Japanese crew seems limited.
For simple exchanges you can communicate with gestures and pointing, but if you feel more at ease with Japanese-language interaction, choose a Japanese carrier.
When is it cheap to book tickets for a Vietnam trip?
3–4 months before departure is when the balance of price and availability is good. The off-peak June, November, and after Golden Week are especially cheap, with rock-bottom prices like tickets in the 20,000-yen range one way on VietJet or 50,000–60,000 yen round trip on Vietnam Airlines. During Tet, year-end and New Year, and summer break, prices jump to more than double, so early booking is safe.
Can you bring liquid souvenirs into the cabin?
Liquids over 100 ml (nuoc mam, coffee liquid, coconut oil, etc.) can't be brought into the cabin, so they all need to go in checked baggage. Sealing bottles with wrap and double-bagging them in a Ziploc, then placing them in your suitcase, is the basic way to prevent breakage.
