Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Tokyo to Hanoi. The right side tracks the East China Sea coastline through southern Japan and the Ryukyu Islands chain, then offers views of the South China Sea approach and the Red River Delta on descent. The left side has the better Tokyo Bay departure view but is largely over open ocean for the cruise portion. Right side wins on total scenic content across the flight.

During takeoff from New Tokyo International (NRT), sit on the Left side for the best views. NRT typically departs southward on runways 16L/16R, meaning a left-side seat faces east toward the Pacific coast of Chiba Prefecture and Tokyo Bay. You get a clear view of the bay's geometry and the dense urban sprawl of greater Tokyo receding to the west. Notable sights include: Tokyo Bay, Chiba city waterfront, Boso Peninsula coastline, Pacific Ocean horizon.

When landing at Noibai International (HAN), sit on the Right side for the best views. Noi Bai typically lands on runway 11R/11L approaching from the west, or runway 29 approaching from the east. On the common eastward approach (runway 11), the right side faces south toward the Red River delta and Hanoi's urban core. You get a clear view of the Red River's wide meandering channel and the city grid. Notable sights include: Red River (Song Hong) meanders, Hanoi urban grid, West Lake (Ho Tay), Red River Delta flatlands.

The flight from New Tokyo International (NRT) to Noibai International (HAN) takes Approximately 5 hours 30 minutes.

The route passes southwest over the Ryukyu Islands chain (Okinawa visible on right side), crosses the East China Sea, skirts the southeastern coast of mainland China near Fujian and Guangdong provinces, then crosses into northern Vietnam over the mountainous karst terrain of Guangxi before descending into the Red River Delta. The South China Sea is visible to the right during the mid-flight cruise phase.