Dong Hoi Airport is one of the key domestic airports in Quang Binh and the entire Central Vietnam region. Thanks to its advantageous position, it has been the go-to airport for all arrivals and departures in Quang Binh, so tourists will need to brush up on their knowledge about this spot before their trip.

1. Where is Dong Hoi Airport? How important is it?

Dong Hoi Airport sits in Dong Thuan Ward, Quang Tri Province (formerly Loc Ninh Commune, Dong Hoi City, Quang Binh Province), just 6 kilometers north of the city center and a mere 300 meters east of National Road 1A.

With a 2,400-meter-long, 45-meter-wide runway capable of handling Airbus A320/A321 aircraft and a two-story terminal covering 4,282 square meters, its capacity reaches up to 500,000 passengers a year, a decent number for a domestic airport.

Dong Hoi Airport serves as the main gateway to Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park and other major attractions of Quang Binh. Over its first 15 years, the airport has facilitated more than 4 million passenger movements and 28,000 tons of cargo, underscoring its vital role in boosting connectivity in Central Vietnam.

2. Establishment & development of Dong Hoi Airport

Since its beginning as a simple grass runway built under French colonial rule, Dong Hoi Airport has undergone a series of transformative milestones to become a gateway of Quang Binh Province and its capital city - Dong Hoi.

1950s - 1975: French colonial origins and usage during wartime

Constructed by the French as an 1,800m x 30m compacted-earth runway, this facility served military logistics throughout the Second Indochina War, ferrying troops, ammunition, and supplies to the battlefields.

August 30, 2004: Modernization

Under a decision of the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV), a project was begun to rebuild Dong Hoi Airport as a civilian commercial airfield.

April 10, 2008: Official establishment

CAAV formalized the airport’s legal status, establishing it as an independent entity within Vietnam’s airport system. The Dong Hoi airport code was VDH.

May 18, 2008: First commercial flight

The inaugural service of Dong Hoi Airport commenced as a flight from Noi Bai International Airport (Hanoi) touched down on the new 2,400m x 45m runway.

2012: Upgrades

The Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV) invested in an ILS/DME system, airfield lighting (AFLS), and automated weather observation equipment (AWOS) to satisfy ICAO Category I requirements, allowing precise and safe landings round-the-clock in all weather conditions.

September 12, 2014: CAAV certification and 24/7 operations

CAAV granted Certificates 3500/GP-CHK and 3501/GP-CHK, authorizing full exploitation of the new instrument landing aids. From October 16, 2014, the airport commenced round-the-clock operations.

April 26, 2017: Apron expansion

Two additional aircraft parking spaces were commissioned, bringing the total to four, thus accommodating peak-hour demand and enabling more frequent departures and arrivals.

August 11, 2017: First regular international service

Jetstar Pacific launched the airport’s inaugural scheduled international route: Dong Hoi to Chiang Mai, underscoring Dong Hoi Airport’s growing regional connectivity.

>>> Read more: Vietnamese airports: The 7 BUSIEST places to welcome international tourists

3. Infrastructure of Dong Hoi Airport in Quang Binh

3.1. Runways & aprons

Dong Hoi Airport features a single 2,400m x 45m runway, along with parallel taxiways and an apron designed to handle Airbus A320/A321 and similar-sized aircraft. This configuration ensures reliable operations for both scheduled and charter services to and from Dong Hoi Airport.

3.2. Passenger terminals

The original two-story passenger terminal, commissioned in May 2008, spans 4,282 square meters and was built with an annual capacity of 500,000 passengers in mind.

Lower floor (2,817 square meters): Arrival hall, check-in counters, security screening, baggage claim, retail kiosks, food and beverage outlets, souvenir shops, a medical room, and offices for aviation stakeholders.
Upper floor (1,465 m²): Departure lounge, convenience stores, additional F&B outlets, a VIP room, and a business-class lounge.

In response to passenger numbers nearly doubling the design capacity, with nearly 1 million flyers expected by December 31, 2025, ACV broke ground on April 19, 2025 for a new terminal in Dong Hoi Airport. This expansion, with a budget reaching over 1,750 billion VND, is capable of handling 3 million passengers per year (1,200 per peak hour), with provisions to scale up to 5 million after 2030.

High-quality facilities in Dong Hoi Airport

4. Major flight routes operated by Dong Hoi Airport

4.1. Dong Hoi to Hanoi

Distance and flight time: 418 kilometers, approximately 1 hour and 5 minutes
Airlines: Vietnam Airlines and Vietjet Air
Frequency: 9 flights per week

Direct flights to Hanoi are a major route from Dong Hoi Airport. Noi Bai International Airport (HAN) in Hanoi also serves as a connecting hub to other domestic airports.

4.2. Dong Hoi to Ho Chi Minh City

Distance and flight time: 744 kilometers, approximately 1 hour and 40 minutes
Airlines: Vietnam Airlines and Vietjet Air
Frequency: 16 flights per week

Aside from direct flights to Ho Chi Minh City , Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN), the main airport in Ho Chi Minh City also functions as a primary stop for passengers flying from Dong Hoi Airport to other domestic airports.

4.3. Dong Hoi to Taipei (Taiwan)

Distance and flight time: 1,732 kilometers, around 3 hours.
Airlines: Vietnam Airlines and Vietjet Air

In the latest Dong Hoi Airport news, on March 31, 2025, Vietjet Air’s first VDH-TPE charter departed, taking 38 passengers from Taipei to Dong Hoi. This marked the start of 13 round-trips scheduled from March 31 to October 13 in 2025, officially opening the Dong Hoi - Taipei route. With that, Dong Hoi Airport also allowed foreigners to check in with e-visas, a major step towards the globalization process of Vietnam in general.

*Note: For information on ticket prices and schedules to and from Dong Hoi Airport, please check the website of the airlines (Vietnam Airlines & Vietjet Air).

5.1. How to get from the airport to the center of Dong Hoi?

Taxis and motorbike taxis can take you to downtown Dong Hoi in about 20 minutes via Ly Thanh Tong Street. Alternatively, there is a bus stop about 1 kilometer away from the airport. The bus routes that will take you downtown are B1, B2, and B4.

5.2. How to get from the airport to Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park?

Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park is about 44 kilometers away from Dong Hoi Airport. You can either take the bus B4 or a taxi. Alternatively, you can rent a motorbike and make the journey yourself:

Follow Ly Thanh Tong Street north, then merge onto National Road 1A (QL1A)
Follow National Road 1A for about 6 kilometers, then turn left at the roundabout onto Nguyen Van Linh Road (Provincial Road 561 - DT561)
Follow Provincial Road 561 to the end, then turn left onto Provincial Road 2B (DT2B)
Follow Provincial Road 2B to the end, then turn right onto the Ho Chi Minh Trail (National Road 16 - QL16)
Follow the Ho Chi Minh Trail for about 7 kilometers, then turn left at the junction onto Provincial Road 20 (DT20)
Follow Provincial Road 20 until you reach the entrance of Phong Nha - Ke Bang

5.3. Which services are offered at Dong Hoi Airport?

There are two major services at the airport - dining and retail - which allows travelers to do some last-minute shopping or grab a bite before their flight.

Dining: On both departure and arrival lobbies, you will find anything from pho, rice dishes, coffee, smoothies, and snacks.
Retail: Craft shops, regional specialties, apparel, books and jewelry are lined in the main hall and departure lounge.

5.4. Does Dong Hoi Airport have duty-free shops?

No. As a domestic airport, it does not offer duty-free retail outlets.

5.5. How far is it from the airport to the top attractions in the city?

The distance between Dong Hoi Airport and major attractions in Dong Hoi is generally manageable. Here are some notable attractions and how far they are from the airport.

Nhat Le Beach (5.5 kilometers away)
Tam Toa Church (6.4 kilometers away)
Bau Tro Lake (6.6 kilometers away)
Ho Chi Minh Square (7 kilometers away)
Dong Hoi Citadel (7.2 kilometers away)
Quang Binh Gate (7.6 kilometers away)
Monument of Mother Suot (7.8 kilometers away)

attractions of Dong Hoi near the airport

>>> Find your way from Dong Hoi to Phong Nha

Dong Hoi Airport has emerged as Quang Binh’s essential transportation hub, seamlessly linking travelers to Central Vietnam. Designed to bring the best services to all travelers, the airport’s modern facilities and growing network ensure smooth, reliable journeys. With a new terminal on the horizon, Dong Hoi Airport is ready to welcome you to the heart of Vietnam’s beauty.

To see more than Quang Binh, why not extend your Vietnam travel to include the karst seascape of Ha Long Bay, the urban flair of Da Nang, the lantern-lit streets of Hoi An, the sun-kissed shores of Nha Trang, or the tropical serenity of Phu Quoc?

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