IndianAirports.com

Gia Lam Air Base

Hanoi (Long Bien), Vietnam

Airports
medium airport

Gia Lam Air Base

Hanoi (Long Bien), Vietnam
Explore Hanoi (Long Bien) city guide Navigate to this airport
0
Routes out
0
Destinations
VVGL
ICAO
50 ft
Elevation
TravelerPulse profile

Historic military air base on the eastern edge of Hanoi.

Opened
1930s
Location
Hanoi, Vietnam
Gia Lam Air Base is a military airfield located in the Long Bien district on the eastern outskirts of Hanoi, Vietnam. It sits on the eastern bank of the Red River and has served as a key Vietnamese military installation for decades, predating the modern Noi Bai International Airport which now handles commercial traffic for the capital. The base has deep historical significance, having been used during the First Indochina War and the Vietnam War. It was the site where American prisoners of war were released and repatriated following the Paris Peace Accords in 1973. The facility also served as Ho Chi Minh's arrival point on several historic occasions. Today Gia Lam functions primarily as a military base and hosts Vietnam People's Air Force operations. It has limited civilian use and is not open to regular commercial passenger traffic, with Noi Bai International Airport serving as Hanoi's primary civilian aviation hub.
Getting to & from
The base is located approximately 8 kilometers from central Hanoi, accessible by road across the Long Bien or Chuong Duong bridges.
Notable facts
  • ›Used as a prisoner of war repatriation site during Operation Homecoming in 1973 following the Paris Peace Accords.
  • ›Originally constructed by the French during the colonial period, likely in the 1930s.
  • ›Served as a primary air base for North Vietnam during the Vietnam War.
  • ›Ho Chi Minh arrived at Gia Lam on historic occasions, including his return to Hanoi in 1954.
  • ›Currently operated by the Vietnam People's Air Force with restricted civilian access.
Wikipedia
This profile is provided for general information only. Details may be inaccurate or outdated — always verify with the airport's official website before acting on them.
Hanoi's historic airfield where military legacy meets riverside calm

Gia Lam Air Base, located in the Long Bien district on the eastern bank of the Red River, is one of Vietnam's oldest airfields, dating back to the French colonial era. It served as a major military installation during the Vietnam War and remains primarily a Vietnamese People's Air Force facility today. Limited civilian and general aviation operations have taken place here, though it is not a commercial passenger airport in the conventional sense.

Terminals
  • Military Operations Area — Primary facility serving Vietnamese Air Force operations, not open to general public passengers.
  • General Aviation Apron — Limited area used for occasional civil and charter flight activities under strict authorization.
Ground Transport
  • Taxi services from Long Bien district
  • Xe om (motorbike taxi) available near the base perimeter
  • Public bus routes connecting Long Bien to central Hanoi
  • Ride-hailing apps (Grab) operational in the surrounding area
Nearby Hotels
  • Long Bien Guesthouse
  • Hanoi Riverside Hotel
  • Mercure Hanoi La Gare (city centre, accessible via bridge)
  • Long Bien Hostel
Dining

The area around Gia Lam and Long Bien offers authentic local Vietnamese street food, including pho and bun bo stalls common throughout the district. There are no passenger terminal dining facilities given the base's military nature. Visitors to the surrounding neighbourhood will find riverside eateries along the Red River embankment.

Traveller Tips
  • Access to the air base is strictly controlled — do not approach restricted military areas without proper authorization.
  • Long Bien Bridge nearby is a historic landmark worth visiting and provides access to central Hanoi.
  • For commercial flights, use Noi Bai International Airport (HAN), approximately 25 km north of the city.
  • Grab (ride-hailing) is the most reliable and affordable transport option in the Long Bien district.

AI-assisted overview, verified against public sources.

Airlines serving this airport

No scheduled airline data available.

Routes

No route data available.

Hotels near Gia Lam Air Base

Pick what matters for your layover or early flight, then compare on your favorite booking site.

Compare stays for your dates

IndianAirports may receive compensation when you book or purchase through some of the links on this page, at no additional cost to you. Prices and availability are set by the booking provider and may change. We never share your private trip details with partners — only the destination, dates and party size you searched.

City & Place Guide

No guide exists for this place yet — Click to generate a Traveler Pulse guide.

Passport, Visa & Immigration

Flying internationally via Gia Lam Air Base? Check entry, transit and customs requirements for Vietnam from official government sources.

Vietnam visa & entry information →Embassy & consulate finder →