Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Los Angeles to Hanoi. While the takeoff favors left seats for Pacific views, the landing approach to Hanoi from the northeast strongly favors right seats for views of the Red River Delta and Hanoi itself—the most visually distinctive portion of this 13+ hour flight. The landing scenery is more geographically dramatic and memorable than the takeoff.

During takeoff from Los Angeles International (LAX), sit on the Left side for the best views. Left seats offer views of the Pacific coastline, Santa Monica Bay, and the Channel Islands as the aircraft climbs westbound over the ocean. Right seats face inland toward the San Gabriel Mountains and urban sprawl with less dramatic scenery. Notable sights include: Santa Monica Bay, Pacific Ocean coastline, Channel Islands (visible as distant landmasses), Santa Monica Pier area.

When landing at Noibai International (HAN), sit on the Right side for the best views. Right seats provide views of the Red River Delta, Hanoi's urban grid, and the surrounding agricultural landscape as the aircraft descends from the northeast toward Noibai. Left seats face the Gulf of Tonkin with less distinctive features during final approach. Notable sights include: Red River Delta (extensive patchwork of rice paddies and waterways), Hanoi city grid, Thai Nguyen Mountains to the northwest, Gulf of Tonkin coastline.

The flight from Los Angeles International (LAX) to Noibai International (HAN) takes 13h 15m.

The flight path crosses the Pacific Ocean (no visible landmarks for 8-10 hours), then approaches Asia over the Philippines and northern Luzon, with views of the Philippine archipelago and Luzon's mountain spine. As the aircraft continues northwest toward Vietnam, the Tonkin Gulf becomes visible, followed by the Red River Delta and Hanoi approach.