Best Budget Hanoi Airport Hotel – Golden Dragon Hotel
If you have the misfortune of having to transit through Hanoi, then there is at least some good news. There’s now quite literally a whole heap of hotels within walking – yes I said walking distance of the airport.
Of this wide array, I can recommend Golden Dragon Hotel as the best of the bunch. This though is not saying much as overall its a pretty depressing district.
You can read about why Vietnamese airports are such a shit show here.
Table of Contents
What the Hanoi Airport?
Noi Bai International Airport is the main airport serving Hanoi and handled around 30 million passengers in 2024. When it was originally built, the airport was basically in the countryside. And I mean the countryside, which was actually pretty cool as you stayed in small guest houses and there was great street food. Things are a bit different now.
Now the city has grown a bit, but it is still around 30 kilometres from town. This means an hour to and from the airport, or getting a transit hotel. In my humble opinion this is your best bet if you have few hours. Hanoi is fun and this could make you miss your flight.
The Golden Dragon Hotel
As stated this place is right in the midst of a bunch of cheap dingy hotels that serve the purpose of looking after those in transit. Of these the Golden Dragon has the best rep. The rooms here were simple enough having a bathtub and as I paid extra a balcony. I needed this for smoking purposes you understand.
Rooms are listed at:
- Basic room: 450,000 VND ($17)
- Deluxe King: 490,000 VND ($19)
- Suite with balcony: 1,000,000 VND ($39)
Around the hotel there is very little in the way of marts like 7-11 and the like, meaning you will need cash if you want to buy anything. I personally made do with the two bottles of water provided, but there are lots of street food options nearby. Vietnam has the best street food in the world.
Where the Golden Dragon Hotel?
Grand Dragon Noi Bai Hotel
Noi Bai, Soc Son District
Hanoi, Vietnam
Just a few dollars by Grab to the airport, or 15 minutes to domestic and 20 minutes, or so walk to international. Do not make the mistake I made and go the wrong way down the freeway by foot!
Click to see my Vietnam Tours with YPT