Arriving in Vietnam From Malaysia: A Checklist
Landing in Vietnam for the first time and wanting the steps in order, from passport to hotel.
Check your passport and entry rules first, then plan the ride from the airport to your bed. Everything in between is small, and this page puts it in order.
1. Check your passport and your days
Your passport should be valid for at least 6 months after you arrive1. Holders of an ordinary Malaysian passport can enter without a visa for 30 days2.
If your stay may run longer than that, read the e-visa guide. Rules can change, so confirm them with the method in checking entry rules from official sources.
2. Work out your arrival day
Add the flight to the ride into town. Our flight times table shows nonstop and one-stop times by Malaysian airport. Then use the travel-day checker to see how much of a short leave goes on moving.
3. Get through the airport
Keep your passport, your booking details and the hotel name where you can reach them. Read the signs for immigration, then baggage. Take a photo of your hotel address in Vietnamese or save it offline, because your phone may not have a signal at first.
4. Choose how you reach the city
How long you need depends on the airport. These are the ride times we have sourced:
| Airport | Distance and time to the centre |
|---|---|
| Hanoi Noi Bai | About 21 to 30 km to the Old Quarter, 45 minutes to 1 hour by road3 |
| Ho Chi Minh City Tan Son Nhat | Taxi about 15 to 30 minutes, public bus about 40 minutes excluding waiting4 |
| Da Nang | About 3 km, roughly 10 to 15 minutes by car, 30 to 45 minutes by public bus5 |
| Phu Quoc | About 10 km south of Duong Dong, taxi 25 to 35 minutes, bus 11 45 to 60 minutes6 |
For the fares we have seen on the bus and taxi, open Vietnam prices we checked. Rush hour can make any of these longer, so leave margin on the way back.
5. Settle in
At your hotel, confirm the check-out time and ask where to find your next ride. For a young family, plan an easy first evening near the hotel. If you travel with elders, keep the first day free of long walks.
What should I do next?
Pick your arrival city with the arrival city guide, and browse the Flying from Malaysia hub for the rest.
If you are landing with young children or elders and want the airport ride and first night thought through, send us your flight details and hotel area and we will go through the arrival with you.
Common questions
How early should I check my passport before a trip to Vietnam?
Check it when you start planning, not the week you fly. The sources we read ask for validity of at least six months after arrival, and renewing a passport takes time. If the passport is close to that limit, deal with it before you pay for flights.
Do I get a visa on arrival as a Malaysian?
A Malaysian passport lets you enter without a visa for up to 30 days for tourism. For a longer stay you would apply for an e-visa on the official portal before you travel. Read our e-visa guide and confirm on the official sources.
Which is easier from the airport with young children, a bus or a taxi?
A taxi or a booked ride is simpler with tired children and bags, since you do not carry luggage to a stop or wait. A public bus costs less, so it can suit adults travelling light. Look at the fares we have recorded and choose by who is in your group.
Sources
- Passport must be valid for at least 6 months after arrival in Vietnam. vietnamtourism.com visa page. Check before travel.
- Malaysian ordinary passport holders can enter Vietnam without a visa for 30 days. Wikipedia. Check before travel on official Vietnam immigration / MOFA channels.
- Noi Bai Airport to the Hanoi Old Quarter is about 21 to 30 km and takes about 45 minutes to 1 hour by road, depending on traffic. Vietnam Airlines. Page gives both 30 km and 21 km.
- A taxi from Tan Son Nhat Airport to Ho Chi Minh City centre takes about 15 to 30 minutes depending on traffic, and the public bus about 40 minutes excluding waiting. Vietnam Airlines
- Da Nang Airport is about 3 km from the city centre, roughly 10 to 15 minutes by car, 30 to 45 minutes by public bus. Vietnam Airlines
- Phu Quoc Airport is about 10 km south of Duong Dong Town; a taxi takes about 25 to 35 minutes and public bus number 11 about 45 to 60 minutes. Vietnam Airlines
Keep planning
If you are landing with young children or elders and want the airport ride and first night thought through, send us your flight details and hotel area and we will go through the arrival with you.