{"id":1950,"date":"2026-04-23T19:22:27","date_gmt":"2026-04-23T10:22:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vietnam-gift.com\/column\/vietnam-flight-guide\/"},"modified":"2026-06-06T18:40:33","modified_gmt":"2026-06-06T09:40:33","slug":"vietnam-flight-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vietnam-gift.com\/en\/travel-guide\/vietnam-flight-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"[Explained by a Japanese Resident in Vietnam] How to Choose an Airline from Japan to Vietnam: A Complete Guide to Flight Times and Cheap Periods"},"content":{"rendered":"

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Direct flights are operated by four carriers \u2014 Vietnam Airlines, VietJet, Japan Airlines (JAL), and All Nippon Airways (ANA) \u2014 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n

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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.<\/p>\n<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n

Flight time and time difference from Japan to Vietnam<\/h2>\n\n\n
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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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Duration to the three main cities<\/h3>\n\n\n
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Arrival airport<\/th>Outbound (Japan \u2192 Vietnam)<\/th>Return (Vietnam \u2192 Japan)<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
Hanoi (Noi Bai)<\/td>About 5 hours 30 minutes to 6 hours<\/td>About 4 hours 30 minutes to 5 hours<\/td><\/tr>
Ho Chi Minh City (Tan Son Nhat)<\/td>About 6 to 7 hours<\/td>About 5 hours 30 minutes to 6 hours 50 minutes<\/td><\/tr>
Da Nang<\/td>About 5 hours 40 minutes to 6 hours<\/td>About 5 hours to 5 hours 30 minutes<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The duration differs by departure point; departures from Fukuoka are about 30 minutes to an hour shorter than these.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The time difference from Japan is 2 hours (no daylight saving time)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Vietnam is 2 hours behind Japan.<\/strong>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.<\/p>\n\n\n

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There's almost no worry of jet lag, and if you act on local time, you can enjoy sightseeing right from the next day.<\/p>\n<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n

The four carriers operating direct flights from Japan to Vietnam<\/h2>\n\n\n
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Airline<\/th>Characteristics<\/th>Advantages<\/th>Points to note<\/th>Recommended for<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
Vietnam Airlines (VN)<\/strong><\/td>Vietnam's state-owned airline<\/td>Wider seats than an LCC<\/td>\u30fbPrices higher than an LCC
\u30fbIn-flight announcements center on English and Vietnamese<\/td>		Those who want stable service while keeping the price down<\/td><\/tr>
VietJet (VJ)<\/strong><\/td>A price-focused LCC
<\/td>		Cheap tickets (sales available)<\/td>\u30fbIn-flight meals and baggage cost extra
\u30fbSeats are somewhat narrow<\/td>		\u30fbThose who prioritize price<\/td><\/tr>
Japanese airlines (JAL \/ ANA)<\/strong><\/td>Japanese-style high-quality service<\/td>\u30fbStable hospitality and service
\u30fbJapanese-language support for peace of mind
\u30fbMiles accumulate<\/td>		\n\u30fbPrices are higher\n<\/td>\u30fbBusiness-purpose travel
\u30fbThose who want service quality
\u30fbThose who want to accumulate JAL or ANA miles<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

As of April 2026, four carriers operate direct flights between Japan and Vietnam: Vietnam Airlines, VietJet Air, Japan Airlines, and All Nippon Airways.<\/strong>There are big differences in price, service, and mileage programs, and how you choose changes your travel satisfaction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Vietnam Airlines (VN): the full-service state carrier with the most routes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n

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The author has boarded more than 10 times with a preschool child and has spent the flights comfortably without major trouble.<\/p>\n<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n

VietJet (VJ): a price-focused LCC, rapidly expanding its served airports<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Japan Airlines (JAL) \/ All Nippon Airways (ANA): for those who value Japanese-style service<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

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\u2013Da Nang.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ANA and Vietnam Airlines have a codeshare partnership, and you can sometimes book a Vietnam Airlines-operated flight under an ANA flight number. The ANA mile accrual rate differs by booking class and fare, but it's one option easy to use for those accumulating ANA miles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Direct-flight matrix by departure airport (April 2026 information)<\/h2>\n\n\n
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Departure airport<\/th>Hanoi<\/th>Ho Chi Minh City<\/th>Da Nang<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
Narita<\/td>VN\u30fbJL\u30fbNH\u30fbVJ<\/td>VN\u30fbJL\u30fbNH\u30fbVJ<\/td>VN\u30fbNH (up to 2 flights a day)<\/td><\/tr>
Haneda<\/td>VN\u30fbJL\u30fbNH\u30fbVJ<\/td>VN\u30fbJL\u30fbNH\u30fbVJ<\/td>No direct flights<\/td><\/tr>
Central<\/td>VN\u30fbVJ<\/td>VN\u30fbVJ<\/td>No direct flights<\/td><\/tr>
Shizuoka (new from 2026\/4\/28)<\/td>VJ (3 flights a week)<\/td>No direct flights<\/td>No direct flights<\/td><\/tr>
Kansai<\/td>VN\u30fbJL\u30fbNH\u30fbVJ<\/td>VN\u30fbJL\u30fbNH\u30fbVJ<\/td>VN<\/td><\/tr>
Hiroshima<\/td>VJ<\/td>No direct flights<\/td>No direct flights<\/td><\/tr>
Fukuoka<\/td>VN\u30fbVJ<\/td>VN\u30fbVJ<\/td>No direct flights<\/td><\/tr>
Others (Sapporo, Sendai, etc.)<\/td>No direct flights<\/td>No direct flights<\/td>No direct flights<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

VN = Vietnam Airlines, JL = Japan Airlines, NH = All Nippon Airways, VJ = VietJet Air (abbreviations).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

New route: the launch of Mt. Fuji Shizuoka Airport\u2013Hanoi<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The Shizuoka\u2013Hanoi 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The characteristics of Vietnam's main airports and how to move after entry<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Vietnam's three airports each differ in scale and entry flow. Grasp the points for entry and travel, and get around comfortably.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Noi Bai International Airport (Hanoi)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mid-sized as an international airport, after departure procedures there are a few small kiosks and caf\u00e9s. If you're buying a SIM card in a hurry, buy it at the airport.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tan Son Nhat International Airport (Ho Chi Minh City)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

About 7 km to District 1 of Ho Chi Minh City, about 20\u201340 minutes by car, with good access.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From April 2026,an advance registration system for foreign arrivals<\/a>has begun. Registration isn't mandatory, but applying in advance before entry can be expected to streamline immigration.<\/p>\n\n\n

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As of May 2026, the only airport adopting this system is Tan Son Nhat.<\/p>\n<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n

Da Nang International Airport<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

About 3 km to downtown Da Nang, within about 15 minutes by taxi from the airport \u2014 its compact location is an appeal. A hub for central resorts, Hoi An and Hue are within a 1\u20133-hour drive too. Choose an early-morning arrival and you can head straight to World Heritage sightseeing that same day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

About the fast-track service at entry<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

GET YOUR GUIDE<\/a>andKlook<\/a>Buy 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cautions when traveling from the airport to the city<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When using a taxi from the airport, there's trouble with being charged exorbitant fares.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Refrain from using touting taxis at the airport and use the ride-hailing appGrab<\/a>. Because the fare is known in advance on the ride-hailing app, it helps avoid trouble.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Direct flight or connecting flight \u2014 which to choose<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

From regions with no direct flights, such as Sapporo, Sendai, Hiroshima (in part), and Naha, you'll use connecting flights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Direct and connecting flights each have their advantages, so use them differently by purpose.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who should choose a direct flight<\/h3>\n\n\n\n