Da Nang's airport isn't out in the suburbs. It sits inside the city, west of the Han River, which makes arrivals unusually easy. That location has a history: this was a military air base long before it was a holiday gateway.

Here's what travelers should know before they land.

Last verified: October 11, 2026. Entry rules change. Check official immigration sources before you fly.

Two terminals, two jobs

Da Nang International Airport (code DAD) has two passenger terminals:

  • Terminal 1 (domestic). A 20,000-square-meter terminal that opened on December 15, 2011, with capacity for 4 million passengers a year, according to Wikipedia.
  • Terminal 2 (international). A 48,000-square-meter terminal, built for $154 million, that opened on May 5, 2017, designed for 6 million passengers a year.

The airport handled more than 15.5 million passengers in 2019. In Skytrax's 2024 rankings, it placed 94th among the world's top 100 airports. It's certified as a 3-star airport, while its international terminal is rated 5-star.

T1 and T2 are separate buildings. If you're connecting from an international flight to a domestic one, allow time to collect bags, change terminals and check in again.

Before you land: visa and arrival forms

Visas. Da Nang airport is one of the international airports where foreigners can enter on an e-visa, according to the national tourism authority's visa page. Since August 15, 2023, Vietnam has offered e-visas to citizens of all countries and territories, valid for up to 90 days. Thirteen countries get visa-free entry for up to 45 days. Our visa guide explains the options, including what they don't allow.

Pre-arrival declaration. On June 25, 2026, Vietnam launched an online pre-arrival declaration for foreign travelers arriving at major airports, including Da Nang, according to an advisory from Singapore's embassy in Hanoi. The form is at prearrival.immigration.gov.vn. You fill it in on arrival or up to three days before, and the system generates a QR code to show at immigration. The embassy describes it as encouraged, not mandatory, but authorities strongly advise it to avoid longer waits.

Use only the official .gov.vn sites. Look-alike commercial pages charge fees for things that are free or cheaper on the government portals.

Getting into town

Because the airport is inside the city, the ride downtown is short. Most arriving travelers use ride-hailing apps or taxis. See our guide to getting around without a motorbike for how the apps work and what to check before you get in. If you're headed to Hoi An or Hue, that guide also covers the bus and train options.

A base with a past

The airfield began as a French colonial airport, then became Da Nang Air Base, a major U.S. base during the war. On March 8, 1965, the 1st Battalion, 3rd Marines landed at the base, the first deployment of U.S. combat troops to South Vietnam, according to Wikipedia's entry on the air base. Our history of Da Nang's transformation traces what came next.

What's changing

The terminals are getting bigger, slowly. In August 2026, Airports Corporation of Vietnam and the city announced a renovation and expansion of Terminal 1 worth more than 9.9 trillion dong ($379 million), Viet Nam News reported. It aims to raise the terminal's capacity to 14 million passengers a year, including 4 million international. Construction is scheduled to start in August 2027. The expanded section is due to open in January 2029, and the renovation of the existing building is due in August 2029. Expect construction around the domestic terminal for a while.

Arrival checklist

  • Passport with enough validity for your visa or exemption.
  • E-visa printout or confirmation, if you need one.
  • Pre-arrival QR code, saved on your phone or printed.
  • Address of where you're staying. Hotels, homestays and landlords must declare your stay to the police. Our expat paperwork guide explains why that matters.
  • A ride-hailing app, installed before you leave home.

Sources

This story was compiled by the Da Nang Voice news desk from the published sources listed above. Facts, figures and quotes are attributed to those sources; Da Nang Voice did not conduct interviews for it unless the text says so. Corrections are dated and noted at the top of the story. Read our corrections policy. Spotted an error? Tell us.