Though this is the third biggest airport after Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN) and Noi Bai International Airport (HAN), it is much smaller in size and volume of arrivals than the other two. The airport is a vital transportation hub in Central, connecting between North and South Vietnam.
History of airport
Da Nang International Airport was built in 1940 and served as an important military base until the Reunification in 1975. As of December 2011, the old airport base was closed and replaced by a brand new building nearby.
The new airport currently in use contains two parallel runways with the length of approximately 3,050m each way, which can accommodate larger airplanes such as Boeing 767s, 787s, Air Bus 340s, 350s or Antonov 124. With the capacity of six million passengers per year, the new airport has a lot more modern facility and services.
Location
Located just 3 kilometres from Da Nang’s city centre, 35 kilometres north of picturesque Hoi An, and 93 kilometres south of Hue. The modern airport has Central Vietnam well covered.
- Address: Hoa Thuan Tay Ward, Hai Chau District, Da Nang City.
- Code ICAO: VVDN
- Code IATA: DAD
- Passenger Terminal Area: 600 m2
- Runway: 2 runways
- Capacity: 6 millions passenger/year
- Operation time: 24/24h
- ICAO aerodrome reference code: 4E
- Airport Reference Point: Latitude 16° 02’38’’N Longitude 108° 12’01’’E (WGS- 84).
- Elevation: 11m (MSL)
The airlines flying into ariport
The traffic volume in Da Nang International Airport is about hundreds of flights a day. From Da Nang International Airport, it is easy to travel domestically to other destinations such as Ha Noi, Ho Chi Minh City, Pleiku, Ha Long, Da Lat, Nha Trang, Hai Phong, Can Tho, Buon Me Thuoc, Vinh with Vietnam Airlines, Bamboo Airways, Vietjet Air or Vasco.
Along with the domestic airways, there are many international flights, mostly from South East Asia and East Asia such as Siem Reap, Bangkok, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Macau, Tokyo, Seoul, Shanghai, Beijing, Hong Kong, Taipei…..Therefore, if you plan to visit famous Da Nang Beachs or UNESCO World Heritage Centre of Hoi An or Hue then you will probably fly into Da Nang International Airport.
Arrivals
Once you disembark your plane head through the quarantine concourse to the baggage claim area. If you need to pick up your Visa On Arrival head to the VOA desk, fill in the form and hand them your passport along with the letter you received from the online visa application you made prior to your flight. You shouldn’t have to wait more than 15 minutes to get your passport back with the visa stamped inside however it may be a little chaotic if there are a lot of people. Head to the passport control area through immigration to the customs inspection area. Outside from the customs area you will find a foreign currency exchange and it is a good idea to get some local currency here before finding a taxi into the city centre. The arrival hall also has a tourist information desk if you need help securing a hotel or tour bookings.
Da Nang International Airport (DAD) – Arrival Floor Map
Departures
All the check in counters are on the second floor of the terminal building. Once you pass through the initial security checkpoint the check in counters are directly in front of you. Through this there is passport control where you complete airport procedures before heading into the departure lounge. You will need to pass one more security checkpoint at the boarding gate before boarding your flight.
Da Nang International Airport (DAD) – Departure Floor Map
Transport options
Da Nang International Airport is only 3 km South West of the city centre and you can choose buses (Bus routes map here) or airport taxis to reach the city. The taxi rank is located just outside the arrivals hall. Be sure your driver turns on the metre and always have small change with you as drivers do not like changing larger notes.
With Hoi An situated only 35 km from Da Nang, public transportation is not a popular mode of transportation to and from the airport. Hoi An Express, which offers shared shuttle bus transfers between Da Nang and Hoi An, is a good alternative. This bus service will take you to your Da Nang or Hoi An accommodation.
Click here to check prices for the Hoi An Express Shuttle Bus
In addition to this, there are many travel agent provides the private car transfer services at the airport and if you traveling in a big group or with family and kids then this is the most perfect choice to choose from. It’s best to book the car ahead of time to save time.
Click here to check prices for private transfers
Eating and drinking
While you wait for your flight you can have a snack or drink at the restaurants. A cafe is located at the departures hall and the second is situated in front of the passenger terminal. This second venue serves light meals and drinks however if you are in need of some more nourishing foods you had better eat before you leave the city.
SIM card
Buying a Vietnamese SIM cards at Da Nang International Airport is quite easy. There are some kiosks selling local SIM cards on the ground floor. Viettel, Vinaphone and Mobiphone are three most popular providers in Vietnam. A SIM card costs you about 10-20 USD depending on the provider and 4G/5G package. You just need an unlocked phone and show your passport ID then the staff there will help you to register.
Entertainment, activities and facilities
The departure hall has ATMs, international telephones and internet area. Wifi internet access is also available in the Business Lounge area. Apart from some TVs in the departure lounge there is no entertainment in the airport. Shopping and Duty Free Da Nang International Airport has a couple of shopping outlets. There are also souvenir shops in the waiting lounge of departure terminal. These souvenir shops sell some local specialty foods, local handicrafts and some silk clothing. The international passenger departure lounge has some duty free shops selling the usual collection of cosmetics, jewellery, alcohol and chocolates.
Many travellers initially assume it’s best to fly in and out of the larger airports of either Tan Son Nhat (SGN) or Noi Bai (HAN). But, the third not well-known option, Da Nang International Airport, is your best bet – holding all of the modern necessities, but without all the chaos. The airport is less crowded so offers a more relaxed experience than the others, particularly useful for older travellers or those with young families. In fact, it’s a good option for anyone who wants to skip a potentially hectic experience.
FEATURED TOURS AND EXPERIENCES
