While the Manila departure offers a solid coastal and island send-off, the Hanoi arrival's combination of the Red River Delta's intricate farmland and a rare distant view of Ha Long Bay's iconic karst formations gives the right side a stronger, more memorable finish to the flight.
Flown MNL to HAN? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
Manila to Hanoi is 1,102 miles (1,773 km), a flight of about 2 hours 40 minutes.
The route spends most of its time over the open South China Sea (West Philippine Sea) with no landmarks, passing north of the Paracel Islands area and skirting the southern approaches to Hainan Island before descending into the Gulf of Tonkin near Vietnam's coast.
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from MNL
LEFTDeparting NAIA, the climb-out banks the aircraft over Manila Bay before the route bends northwest toward Vietnam, putting Corregidor Island, the Bataan Peninsula's ridgelines, and the Zambales mountain coast on the left side. The right side mostly shows Metro Manila's dense inland sprawl fading into haze with no strong terrain features.
Landing at HAN
RIGHTOn descent into Noibai, the aircraft crosses the flat green-and-brown patchwork of the Red River Delta before turning onto final approach from the northeast, a track that skirts the Gulf of Tonkin coastline near Haiphong and, on clear days, offers a distant glimpse of Ha Long Bay's limestone karst islands. The left side mostly faces inland toward featureless delta farmland with no comparable landmark.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Ninoy Aquino International (MNL) to Noibai International (HAN)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Manila to Hanoi. While the Manila departure offers a solid coastal and island send-off, the Hanoi arrival's combination of the Red River Delta's intricate farmland and a rare distant view of Ha Long Bay's iconic karst formations gives the right side a stronger, more memorable finish to the flight.
What can I see during takeoff from Ninoy Aquino International in Manila?
During takeoff from Ninoy Aquino International (MNL), sit on the Left side for the best views. Departing NAIA, the climb-out banks the aircraft over Manila Bay before the route bends northwest toward Vietnam, putting Corregidor Island, the Bataan Peninsula's ridgelines, and the Zambales mountain coast on the left side. The right side mostly shows Metro Manila's dense inland sprawl fading into haze with no strong terrain features. Notable sights include: Manila Bay, Corregidor Island, Bataan Peninsula, Zambales mountain range.
What can I see when landing at Noibai International in Hanoi?
When landing at Noibai International (HAN), sit on the Right side for the best views. On descent into Noibai, the aircraft crosses the flat green-and-brown patchwork of the Red River Delta before turning onto final approach from the northeast, a track that skirts the Gulf of Tonkin coastline near Haiphong and, on clear days, offers a distant glimpse of Ha Long Bay's limestone karst islands. The left side mostly faces inland toward featureless delta farmland with no comparable landmark. Notable sights include: Red River and its delta, Gulf of Tonkin coastline, distant Ha Long Bay karst islands, patchwork rice paddies.
How long is the flight from Manila to Hanoi?
The flight from Ninoy Aquino International (MNL) to Noibai International (HAN) takes about 2 hours 40 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 1,102 miles (1,773 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the Manila to Hanoi flight path pass over?
The route spends most of its time over the open South China Sea (West Philippine Sea) with no landmarks, passing north of the Paracel Islands area and skirting the southern approaches to Hainan Island before descending into the Gulf of Tonkin near Vietnam's coast.