The right side wins on both ends of the flight: Ha Long Bay's karst islands near Hanoi and the Incheon Bridge/Songdo skyline near Seoul are the two strongest visual landmarks on this route, while the left side mostly shows featureless interior China and open sea during cruise.
Flown HAN to ICN? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
Hanoi to Seoul is 1,668 miles (2,684 km), a flight of about 4 hours 35 minutes.
The route's midpoint lies over inland southeastern China near Jiangxi Province, close to the Poyang Lake basin and the forested Wuyi Mountains, before the flight path continues northeast across the East China Sea toward the Korean coast.
Great circle distance and headings ›Phase by phase

Takeoff from HAN
RIGHTDeparting HAN and turning onto a northeast heading toward Korea, the right side looks out over the Red River Delta's patchwork rice fields toward the Gulf of Tonkin coastline. Within minutes the karst islands of Ha Long Bay and the port city of Haiphong become visible off to the right before the aircraft climbs out over water.

Landing at ICN
RIGHTArrivals into ICN typically approach from the south over the Yellow Sea before turning onto final. On the right side, passengers get a good look at the cable-stayed Incheon Bridge spanning the bay and the glassy skyline of the Songdo district, with small Yellow Sea islands scattered below before touchdown.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Noibai International (HAN) to Incheon International (ICN)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Hanoi to Seoul. The right side wins on both ends of the flight: Ha Long Bay's karst islands near Hanoi and the Incheon Bridge/Songdo skyline near Seoul are the two strongest visual landmarks on this route, while the left side mostly shows featureless interior China and open sea during cruise.
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 and turning onto a northeast heading toward Korea, the right side looks out over the Red River Delta's patchwork rice fields toward the Gulf of Tonkin coastline. Within minutes the karst islands of Ha Long Bay and the port city of Haiphong become visible off to the right before the aircraft climbs out over water. Notable sights include: Red River Delta, Gulf of Tonkin coastline, Ha Long Bay limestone islands, Haiphong port city.
What can I see when landing at Incheon International in Seoul?
When landing at Incheon International (ICN), sit on the Right side for the best views. Arrivals into ICN typically approach from the south over the Yellow Sea before turning onto final. On the right side, passengers get a good look at the cable-stayed Incheon Bridge spanning the bay and the glassy skyline of the Songdo district, with small Yellow Sea islands scattered below before touchdown. Notable sights include: Incheon Bridge, Songdo International Business District skyline, Yellow Sea islands (Ganghwa-do area), Incheon coastline.
How long is the flight from Hanoi to Seoul?
The flight from Noibai International (HAN) to Incheon International (ICN) takes about 4 hours 35 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 1,668 miles (2,684 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the Hanoi to Seoul flight path pass over?
The route's midpoint lies over inland southeastern China near Jiangxi Province, close to the Poyang Lake basin and the forested Wuyi Mountains, before the flight path continues northeast across the East China Sea toward the Korean coast.