Phu Bai Airport: The Gateway to Hue Imperial City
Introduction
Located in Central Vietnam, Phu Bai Airport (IATA: HUI, ICAO: VVPB) is Hue city's main airport gateway and former Imperial capital of the country. The tiny but effective airport provides a smooth journey for its flights, linking travelers directly to Hue's heritage and outdoor treasures.
Airlines and Destinations
Among these, Phu Bai Airport also accommodates some domestic flights with the furthest route being from Hue to Ho Chi Minh City within an hour and a half. Vietnam Airlines, the flag carrier of Vietnam, and national airline Bamboo Airways principally serve the airport.
Passenger Flights
Phu Bai is a small regional airport; it only handles less than 700,000 passengers and has a low number of daily flights. The airport has been expanding its flight routes due to increasing traffic in recent years following the region's tourism boom. Nevertheless, the capacity of the airport and its infrastructure are significantly being expanded as part of a major project to match up with upcoming passenger growth.
How to Get Here
There are a number of ways for travelers to get into Phu Bai Airport from Hue city centre. The easiest and quickest way is the shuttle bus, which operates on a 30-minute schedule (and up to an hour during low peak times), and costs around $1.40 one-way. However, taxis will get you around town in 30 minutes, give or take, and cost roughly $7-8 USD. Well, you can take the local bus too if money is tight, even though it would require a longer time to reach there (ranging from 30 minutes to 45 minutes in normal traffic).
Parking
Parking Facilities at Phu Bai Airport: There is a designated parking area for short-term and another for long-term use. There are also reasonable rates which make it accessible for those coming in by private vehicle.
Transportation Price
The transportation cost from Phu Bai Airport to Hue city center changes according to the mode of transportation. The cheapest choice for traveling among Halong and Ninh Binh may be the shuttle bus (cost around 30,000VND per tour). Taxis, meanwhile, cost anywhere between 160,000 and 180,000 VND for the thirty-minute journey.
Terminal Layout
At the present time, Phu Bai Airport is a one-terminal international airport where departing and arriving passengers can find all they need for their traveling. The terminal is fairly small, so it means less walking around and helpful ease of access to the various service facilities that are present.
Navigate the Airport
Getting in and traveling via Phu Bai airport is the basic feature. Passengers are easily directed through each facet of the check-in, security, and boarding processes thanks to simple signage and a comprehensible layout. Moreover, due to the airport being small, travelers have an easy time navigating their way around.
Getting Between Terminals
There is only one terminal in Phu Bai Airport, so you will not be required to transfer between different terminals. That one building also contains all of the arrivals, departures, and related services.
Services and Amenities
Services and facilities at Phu Bai Airport include basic facilities such as check-in counters, security checkpoints, simple boarding gates, and food & beverage options.
Restaurants and Shops
Although dining and shopping options at Phu Bai Airport are somewhat limited, passengers will find a couple of local restaurants and small retail outlets in the terminal. The following give an idea of the meals, ingredients, and techniques typical for Hue.
Security and Customs
Both routes involve normal security and customs procedures for both domestic and international passengers at Phu Bai Airport. Passengers are encouraged to show up at the airport well before their proposed departure time.
Accessibility
However, Phu Bai Airport has been outfitted for disabled passengers. Ramps and elevators provide passengers with easy access to the upper gallery of shopping, dining, and comfortable seating areas.
Travel Tips
The airport is about 15 km from the city center, so when planning to enjoy Hue or Haiphong package tours & cruises etc. in Vietnam, it is best that you book your land transport arrangements ahead of time as all hotels can assist visitors with arranging for this once they make reservations online. Also, take into account the weather of Hue, as there may occur heavy rain during monsoon seasons.