Seoul to Hanoi is one of Korea’s most popular short-haul international routes, and the good news is simple: you can fly non-stop in a little over five hours, on a genuine choice of full-service and low-cost carriers. This guide covers who flies the route, what a fair return fare looks like in won, and when to book to land the cheapest seat.
Route: Seoul (ICN Incheon) → Hanoi Noi Bai (HAN)
Distance: approximately 2,730 km (1,700 miles)
Non-stop flight time: about 5h 05m southbound, roughly 4h 50m on the way back
Direct flights: Yes — Korean Air, Asiana Airlines, Vietnam Airlines, Vietjet Air and Jeju Air all fly non-stop from Incheon, with dozens of departures a week between them.
Fares from Seoul to Hanoi (KRW)
Hanoi is a year-round destination, but fares track Korea’s holiday calendar more than Vietnam’s weather. The biggest spikes are the Lunar New Year (Seollal) week, the summer school holidays in late July and August, Chuseok, and the Christmas–New Year peak. The figures below are typical economy return fares in Korean won — low-cost carriers set the floor, while Korean Air and Asiana sit toward the top.
| Month | Demand | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| January | — | high |
| February | — | very high (Seollal) |
| March | — | medium |
| April | — | medium |
| May | — | low-medium |
| June | — | low |
| July | — | high (school holidays) |
| August | — | very high |
| September | — | medium (Chuseok spike) |
| October | — | medium |
| November | — | medium |
| December | — | high (Christmas/New Year) |
Checked against every return fare on sale as we write: the low-cost tier is remarkably tight at ₩289,725–₩293,044, with a median of ₩292,391 — so the "typical" figure of around ₩300,000 is about right, but nothing is on sale below ₩289,725 and the promo fares near ₩200,000 sometimes quoted are not available. Jeju Air supplies more than three quarters of the cheap seats, with T’way Air and VietJet Air level. Vietnam Airlines runs ₩353,795–₩375,529 and Korean Air higher still. Anything under ₩292,000 is a genuinely good price. The lows are hand-baggage-only LCC fares — add a checked bag before you compare.
Airlines on this route
Non-stop (about 5 hours):
- Korean Air — non-stop Incheon → Hanoi, full-service with a checked bag included; the most departures of any carrier.
- Asiana Airlines — non-stop from Incheon, full-service and well-rated, similar frequency to Korean Air.
- Vietnam Airlines — the Vietnamese flag carrier, non-stop from Incheon with a generous economy allowance.
- Vietjet Air — low-cost, non-stop from Incheon; the lowest headline fares, but bags and seats cost extra.
- Jeju Air — Korea’s biggest low-cost carrier, non-stop from Incheon a few times a week; watch for its sales.
There is no need to connect on this route — every option above is a single non-stop hop. The trade-off is purely price versus comfort: the two Korean full-service carriers and Vietnam Airlines include a checked bag and a meal, while Vietjet and Jeju Air undercut them on the base fare and charge for extras.
When to book & how to save
- Book 6–10 weeks ahead for the best mix of price and choice; short-haul Asian fares rarely fall in the final fortnight.
- Dodge the Korean holiday peaks: Seollal (mid-February 2026), Chuseok, and the late-July to August school break are the most expensive weeks — shift a few days either side and the fare drops sharply.
- The cheapest weather-and-price sweet spot is roughly May–June and October–November, when northern Vietnam is pleasant and demand from Korea eases.
- Compare all-in, not headline: a Vietjet or Jeju Air base fare can look unbeatable until you add a 20 kg checked bag — once you do, Korean Air, Asiana or Vietnam Airlines are often within a few won.
- Fly midweek: Tuesday-to-Thursday departures typically run cheaper than a Friday or Sunday, and a weekday round trip can save ₩30,000–₩80,000.
Arriving in Hanoi
All flights land at Noi Bai International (HAN), about 27 km north of the city across the Red River. The cheapest way in is airport bus route 86 to the Old Quarter and Hanoi station (about 45 minutes, roughly ₩2,500). A metered or app-booked taxi to the centre takes 40–50 minutes and costs about ₩18,000–₩25,000; agree the fare or use the meter, and factor in a small bridge toll. Most first-time visitors head straight for the Old Quarter or Hoan Kiem Lake, both close together in the historic core.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the flight from Seoul to Hanoi?
Non-stop flights take about 5 hours 5 minutes from Incheon to Hanoi, and a little less — around 4 hours 50 minutes — on the way back, thanks to prevailing winds. There is no faster option, since every carrier on the route flies direct rather than via a connection.
Are there direct flights from Seoul to Hanoi?
Yes. Korean Air, Asiana Airlines, Vietnam Airlines, Vietjet Air and Jeju Air all fly non-stop between Incheon and Hanoi, with dozens of departures a week between them. You never need to connect on this route — simply choose between full-service comfort and a low-cost base fare.
How much does it cost to fly from Seoul to Hanoi?
About ₩292,000 return on a low-cost non-stop, and the band is tight: ₩289,725–₩293,044 on Jeju Air, T’way and VietJet, hand-baggage-only. Vietnam Airlines runs ₩353,795–₩375,529 and Korean Air higher again. The Seollal, summer and Christmas peaks push full-service returns toward ₩600,000.
What is the cheapest month to fly from Seoul to Hanoi?
May, June and October are usually the quietest months. In the dates we could price, low-cost returns started at ₩289,725. Avoid the Lunar New Year (Seollal) week in February, the late-July to August school holidays, and the Christmas–New Year peak, which are the busiest and priciest.
Which airlines fly from Seoul to Hanoi?
Non-stop carriers are Korean Air and Asiana Airlines (Korean full-service), Vietnam Airlines (Vietnamese flag carrier) and the low-cost pair Vietjet Air and Jeju Air. The full-service airlines include a checked bag; the low-cost ones sell the cheapest base fares and charge for extras.
Which airport do I fly into in Hanoi?
All flights arrive at Noi Bai International (HAN), Hanoi’s only commercial airport, about 27 km north of the city. From there it is a 40–50 minute taxi ride to the centre, or the cheaper airport bus 86 to the Old Quarter.
How far in advance should I book Seoul to Hanoi flights?
Aim for 6 to 10 weeks ahead for the best balance of price and seat choice. Fares climb sharply into the Korean holiday peaks — Seollal, Chuseok, summer and Christmas — so if your dates fall in those windows, book earlier rather than later.
Is it cheaper to fly on weekdays?
Usually, yes — midweek departures (Tuesday to Thursday) tend to be cheaper than Friday or Sunday, and flying out and back on weekdays can save ₩30,000–₩80,000 on a return. Being flexible by a day or two is one of the easiest ways to cut the fare.
Fare guidance based on aifly.one deal tracking and current airline schedules; last reviewed July 2026. Indicative economy returns — check the live fare before booking.
