The right side delivers the trip's two visual highlights: Halong Bay's karst islands during departure and Lantau Island's mountains plus a skyline glimpse during arrival, while the left side offers mostly flat delta and open water.
Flown HAN to HKG? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
Hanoi to Hong Kong is 526 miles (846 km), a flight of about 1 hour 50 minutes.
Open water of the Gulf of Tonkin (Beibu Gulf), with the Leizhou Peninsula and southern Chinese coastline faintly visible to the north
Great circle distance and headings ›
Phase by phase
Takeoff from HAN
RIGHTDeparting HAN toward the east, the right (south) side looks out over the Red River Delta's patchwork rice fields toward the Gulf of Tonkin coastline, where the limestone karst islands of Halong Bay become visible on the horizon as the aircraft climbs. The left side mostly shows the flat, less distinctive delta plain stretching north toward the Chinese border.
Landing at HKG
RIGHTOn approach into HKG, the flight path from Vietnam typically lines up for a final approach over Lantau Island, putting the island's steep green peaks directly on the right side of the aircraft, with glimpses of Hong Kong Island's skyline further southeast. The left side mainly shows open water and the flatter northern New Territories.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Noibai International (HAN) to Hong Kong International (HKG)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Hanoi to Hong Kong. The right side delivers the trip's two visual highlights: Halong Bay's karst islands during departure and Lantau Island's mountains plus a skyline glimpse during arrival, while the left side offers mostly flat delta and open water.
What can I see during takeoff from Noibai International in Hanoi?
During takeoff from Noibai International (HAN), sit on the Right side for the best views. Departing HAN toward the east, the right (south) side looks out over the Red River Delta's patchwork rice fields toward the Gulf of Tonkin coastline, where the limestone karst islands of Halong Bay become visible on the horizon as the aircraft climbs. The left side mostly shows the flat, less distinctive delta plain stretching north toward the Chinese border. Notable sights include: Red River Delta rice paddies, Gulf of Tonkin coastline, Halong Bay karst islands (distant), Do Son peninsula.
What can I see when landing at Hong Kong International in Hong Kong?
When landing at Hong Kong International (HKG), sit on the Right side for the best views. On approach into HKG, the flight path from Vietnam typically lines up for a final approach over Lantau Island, putting the island's steep green peaks directly on the right side of the aircraft, with glimpses of Hong Kong Island's skyline further southeast. The left side mainly shows open water and the flatter northern New Territories. Notable sights include: Lantau Peak, Big Buddha (Ngong Ping), outlying islands of the South China Sea, distant Hong Kong Island skyline.
How long is the flight from Hanoi to Hong Kong?
The flight from Noibai International (HAN) to Hong Kong International (HKG) takes about 1 hour 50 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 526 miles (846 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the Hanoi to Hong Kong flight path pass over?
Open water of the Gulf of Tonkin (Beibu Gulf), with the Leizhou Peninsula and southern Chinese coastline faintly visible to the north