Dhaka to Hanoi Flights

  About Dhaka

Nestled close to the lovely Buriganga river is the capital of Bangladesh, Dhaka. The city has an excess population and exquisite architecture, inspired by the Mughal, British and American rule.

Best time to visit Dhaka

The busiest months for Dhaka are June, January and February. The seasons of Dhaka are quite similar to the ones faced in the North Eastern locales of India. However, they are slightly tweaked depending on the impact of the rains and summer. June is the onset of summer and hence, a very comfortable time to visit. The air is continuously humid, which could be another reason to avoid this time of the year. March through May is spring for Dhaka and the weather is slightly tolerable. Expect some rain though even during spring as the city is known to face regular rains throughout the year. Spring becomes a favoured month among travel enthusiasts who wish to visit the city as the hotel rooms are cheap. Even if you don't make prior reservations, you will find cheap hotels in Dhaka during this season. The crowd in the city is also comparatively few, making it easier for you to venture around.

You will find many cheap flight and hotel deals to Dhaka if you opt for spring. Fall is another such season when the flight and hotel prices are low, allowing tourists to get the perks of good deals. September through November is not ideal for tourism though as the showers can get very risky. The torrential rains could even lead to floods and waterlogging in the city of Dhaka. The city witnesses excess rain from the winds arriving from the Bay of Bengal, which gets really murky. Tourism sees a tremendous dip during this season, making hotel prices very cheap and affordable. The best time to visit though, aside from spring is winter. With temperatures that stand at 223 degree Celsius as opposed to the exorbitant ones during summer, Dhaka's winters are very beautiful. However, as this is a busy time for tourism in the country, you might have a tough time finding decent accommodation in the city. Plus, the prices would also be quite high. The best thing to do to get cheap and affordable deals would be to make prior hotel bookings in Dhaka.

Places to visit in Dhaka

The city has a plethora of lovely neighbourhoods that can be explored. There are a few religious sites that you can start with when visiting in Dhaka. These establishments are top tourist attractions in Dhaka and definitely worth your time. You can start with the Armenian Church of Holy Resurrection which was erected back in 1781 by American missionaries. You do not need a specific tour guide to take you through this place. You also have the Holy Rosary Church to visit. Dhaka also houses many mosques as it is predominantly an Islamic country. You will find exquisite mosques in the city. Check out some prominent ones such as the Baitul Mukarram Mosque, Chawk Mosque, Hussaini Dalan Mosque, Musa Khan mosque and Sitara mosque. It is imperative that you follow some protocols of the religion before entering the mosque as they are very strict about their customs. The city also has a Hindu temple, Dhakeshwari Temple, which was built in the 12th century.

An important tourist attraction in the city is the Lalbagh Fort. The fort, built during the Mughal era, has witnessed some bloody wars in the old times. In fact, the spot has experienced some of the biggest iconic moments in Bangladesh's history and hence, holds a prominent position in their cultural heritage. You should also check out the Curzon Hall, which has now been transformed into the University of Dhaka. Also, do not miss the Banga Bhaban, the official abode to the president of Bangladesh. The palace has been heavily inspired by the British India era and reflects the same. The 1857 Memorial is a spot worth checking out. It is basically a vast expanse of memorial that has been built to honour the martyrs who perished during the first Liberation War that took place to oppose the British rule. Do not miss the National Poet's graveyard as well, which is the tomb of the revolutionary poet, Kazi Nazrul Islam. The National Botanical Gardens is a beautiful location within the city which transports you from the excess noise of Dhaka to tranquillity.

Things to do in Dhaka

There are quite a handful of things that you can do during your stay in Dhaka. As part of your excursion to learn more about the city, you can visit the National Museum. The place will take you through the past and struggles of Bangladesh before being blessed with freedom and a separate nation of its own. You can also visit the Bangabandhu Memorial Museum and known more about Bangladesh's freedom fighter Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, also called, 'Father of the Nation'. The Dhaka Zoo is another interesting place you can visit when in the city. The zoo has many species of exotic birds and animals including the profound Royal Bengal Tiger. The Sadarghat River Front is also a beautiful place where you can relax and unwind after a long day of indulging in tourist activities. The riverfront rests on the banks of the lovely Buriganga river. You can further elevate your experience by taking up boat rides.

Food and Restaurants in Dhaka

Dhaka has an abundance of food varieties ranging from traditional Bangladeshi food to Chinese, Indian and even Mexican cuisine. Most of the food is served in buffet style at these restaurants with fixed prices so you should carry enough cash with you. To get the best of Dhaka's fine dining scene, you should visit Gulshan, Baridhara, Lalmatia, Banani and Dhanmondi. These streets have elite food establishments with international cuisine. You would be surprised and amazed by some of the astounding joints that these streets have in Dhaka. La Forchetta is one such restaurant that brings the flavours of Italy on a platter. It is one of the best Italian joints in the city and definitely recommended. The city also has steakhouses with a food establishment called Steakhouse.

A&W is one of the famous burger joints with special American-style burger served with fries and a rootbeer float. They also have a jukebox in the background that would take you back in time. Bamboo Shoot is another fantastic restaurant especially in Chinese and Thai food. Adding to the authenticity of the joint are a number of Chinese expats who seem to relish the food here. Bella Italia is another food restaurant that was founded by an individual who served at an Italian restaurant. For some local food, you should check out Dhanshiri, located in Gulshan street. The food served here celebrates the Bangladeshi food and is served at a reasonable price. You can also check out Gulshan Khabar Ghar for some more local food. The cafe scene in Dhaka is also quite good and something you would enjoy. Mermaid Cafe, Bittersweet Cafe are some places where you will get good coffee and baked goods. The ambience served is just as exquisite.

How to reach Dhaka (Transportation)

By Air

Flight connectivity to Dhaka from India is excellent. As a neighbouring country, a majority of flights to Bangladesh sees a layover in Kolkata. In fact, you will find direct and nonstop flights to Dhaka from Kolkata. The city's proximity to Bangladesh's capital makes it possible. This is the most popular route to Dhaka often chosen by travellers visiting the city from India. There are no direct nonstop flights to Dhaka from any other city in the country. If you are travelling from Mumbai or Delhi, you will have to change flights at Kolkata. From Delhi though, Biman Bangladesh is the only airline that has reserved a nonstop direct flight to Dhaka. Besides this, much of the airlines opt for a layover in Kolkata. Many Indian airlines such as SpiceJet, IndiGo and Vistara, have regular flights to Dhaka. However, they all travel till Kolkata, from where Biman Bangladesh takes the passengers to Dhaka. Flights to Dhaka from India also take international routes with layovers in cities such as Bangkok, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Colombo and Istanbul, depending on the airlines chosen.

The flight tickets to Dhaka are extremely cheap from India. You can get flight tickets to Dhaka for as less as INR8,000. The flight duration is also quite decent with popular airlines reaching in less than five hours. Of course, these flights are expensive as compared to the ones who reach Dhaka in 12 hours.

By Rail

Flights are not the only way to reach Dhaka, though. There is a special dedicated train that connects Dhaka and Kolkata. The Maitree Express is touted to be the first international railway line connecting Dhaka with an international city, i.e., Kolkata. It is a full-AC train which is quite posh and has luxurious services available.

By Road

AC buses to Dhaka are also available, owing to how close the cities of Dhaka and Kolkata are. Much of these buses are government-run as it has to do with international borders. These buses travel to Dhaka on alternate days and are super cheap.

  About Hanoi

Snuggled up in the Northern terrains of the green country, Vietnam is the lovely capital Hanoi. The city is an architectural and cultural hub of the Southeast Asian country. Hanoi has birthed many famous dishes, enabling the relevance of Vietnamese cuisine on a global map. It is an important city and has brilliant connectivity with the rest of the world.

Best time to visit Hanoi

Spring and autumn automatically become the most favoured seasons in Hanoi, thanks to the scorching summer heat. The geographical overview of Hanoi is such that the city witnesses a subtropical climate year-round. The winters in Hanoi are cold and dry, which is quite the contrast from the summers which are hot, humid and wet. February to April brings some refreshing air into the city as the weather is not too hot or too cold. Thanks to the pleasant weather, indulging in touristy activities becomes much easier. Many fields and plants bloom during this season, which only adds to the exquisite landscape of Hanoi and Vietnam. The season also brings a surge in the hotel prices and flight tickets. As a city which witnesses a high number of tourists during the spring months, flights to Hanoi as well as hotels become quite expensive. Hence, it would be best to plan a trip in advance and make prior flight and hotel bookings to Hanoi.

Similarly, even the autumn months from October to November are quite ideal. The temperature starts to drop but to a pleasant number. Not to mention how the fields and expanses of green turn yellow and golden, adding to the beauty of Vietnam. Under the blue skies, this is a sight for sore eyes. This time also witnesses a significant number of tourists from around the world, leading to a surge in the flight and hotel prices. If you are opting for a budget trip, winters would be quite good for you as the temperatures are super low but pleasant. Not to mention how the off-season is also something that reduces the ticket and hotel prices, making budget trips possible. Summers are not the best in Hanoi. Due to the excess humidity and precipitation in the air, the city witnesses a hotter climate. Interestingly, Hanoi's summers also become their monsoon as both the climates are experienced.

Places to visit in Hanoi

Hanoi has some extraordinary sights with infrastructural bliss that you will only find out about once you visit the city. The rich rice paddies and green expanse might have tantalised your views of what to expect from Hanoi. However, the city has more to offer in the form of architectural delights. Hoan Kiem Lake is one of the famous tourist spots in Hanoi for all the right reasons. Also known by the name H? G??m, the lake is located in the midst of Hanoi's historical sites. Over the years, the city's focal tourist attraction has found several names to be remembered by including 'Luc Thuy Lake' and 'Thuy Quan Lake'. The location is so pristine and quaint that you will instantly fall in love with it. Hold your emotions, though as there are a few more places in Hanoi to make you poignant. The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is one such place which serves as the tomb of the famous Vietnamese revolutionary leader, President Ho Chi Minh. It is situated in Ba Dinh square where he first took up the position as the chairman of the Worker's Party of Vietnam in 1951 and died in 1969.

You should also visit the V?n Mi?u, a temple that has been dedicated to the Confucius. The temple complex is also known to host the Imperial Academy, which is Vietnam's first national university. The structure and the complex of the temple is certainly beautiful and worth visiting. The Th?ng Long Citadel is another gorgeous location with pristine historic buildings that have been constructed to celebrate the flourishing history of Hanoi. Hoa Lo Prison Relic is another intriguing tourist attraction in Hanoi that showcases the fate of prisoners during the French colonial rule in Vietnam. The prison was later also used to lock up war prisoners from the US army during the Vietnam War. The structure holds a lot of history and significance that you should learn about. It will be quite interesting to know more about the tales of Vietnam and its struggling history with various conflicts.

Things to do in Hanoi

Vietnamese delicacies are a big hit among food fanatics. However, for those who wish to drown themselves in the tranquillity and serenity of Hanoi, you can visit the freshwater lake West Lake, which is on the northwest of Hanoi's city centre. With an exquisite view of the sparkling lake and the surrounding green beauty, the location automatically becomes one of the best places to be in when in Hanoi. You can actually book hotel rooms in Hanoi's paradise. The lake is popular for entertaining various tourist activities such as canoeing on the lake as well as boating. You can sit and enjoy some quiet fishing too or just savour the beauty of the lake. Another interesting thing that you could do in Hanoi would be to get yourself some tickets to Vietnamese shows and watch it at the Grand Opera House (also known as Hanoi Opera House). It would be quite an experience considering how the theatre's acoustics are marvellous.

Food and restaurants in Hanoi

Vietnamese cuisine owes a lot of their fame to Hanoi. It is beloved that a majority of the dishes that have found international acclaim are actually all thanks to Hanoi's discoveries. From using the finest ingredients in the food to bringing forth a brilliant melange of flavours, the Vietnamese from Hanoi have bolstered the Vietnamese cuisine. Hence, it would be a shame to not explore this part of the culture. You should definitely indulge in some street food sessions as well as fine dining experiences to make the most of your wanderlust in Hanoi.

The Hanoi Social Club is one such place that brings forth a quaint environment teamed with beautiful Mediterranean spread with vegetarian delights too. The restaurant also acknowledges musicians, who come and perform to perform to entertain the crowd. Red Bean Restaurant is majorly Vietnamese-based with cuisine reflecting the city's finest food. It has an upscale setting which might be fun to indulge in. Do not miss their bún ch? and ph?, which are widely recognised in the world. At the Hung Snake restaurant, you will get to experience what snakes taste like as the place is known to cook snakes in many ways. Their biggest speciality though is the snake whiskey which draws a lot of tourist attention. Hanoi's Ch? Cá Th?ng Long might not have a long list of menu with far too many dishes. But you wouldn't need them as they only specialise in a few meals and have aced the cooking. Hence, they have quite a reputation in the city. You can get a taste of fusion food at Pizza 4P's Tràng Ti?n where you will get to taste the Vietnamese pan pizzas which do have the consistency of an Italian dough.

How to reach Hanoi

Hanoi has brilliant flight connectivity. Vietnam is always in demand for backpackers and budget travellers. Thanks to the lush green beauty of the land added with the potential to engage in social and environmental causes brings a lot of travellers to the city. Airlines such as IndiGo, Thai Airways, Malaysia Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Dragon Air, Hong Kong Airlines, Silkair, Vietnam Airlines, to name a few, have regular flights flying to Hanoi or connecting with the city. There are no provisions of direct or nonstop flights to Hanoi from India. However, there are many options to connect from India to Hanoi. The most popular route to Hanoi often chosen by tourists is from Hong Kong. The duration from Hong Kong is the least and hence, is the most preferred. There are other international routes to Hanoi too that connect from Kuala Lumpur, Singapore and even Bangkok. The flight duration is only seven hours and ten minutes. However, depending on the flight that you pick, it could vary. Not to mention the climate conditions during the venture. Travelling by flight is the most convenient way to reach Hanoi, and it is also the fastest way to go.

Flight tickets to Hanoi are not very expensive. You can easily make a round trip to Hanoi for as less as INR 40,000. Many of the South Asian countries have cheap flight tickets, making travel very pocket-friendly and convenient. There are a plethora of cheap flight tickets to Hanoi available. In fact, you might even be able to get hold of some great discounts and flight tickets to Hanoi online. It is essential that you start booking in advance if you want to make the most of the discounts and online deals to Hanoi. Many of these deals also include accommodation. Basically, you can make your flight and hotel bookings to Hanoi online and get massive discounts for the same. The season you pick is essential as that would further help in deciding whether you can avail the cheap hotels and flights to Hanoi. The city is constantly bustling with many tourists and NGO workers.

  About Hazrat Shahjalal Airport

Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport is the most prominent international airport that is installed in Dhaka. It is situated about 17 km from Kurmitola. The airport is also part of the BAF Bangabandhu Base which is being utilised by Bangladesh Air Force. The airport was previously known as Dacca International Airport, which later changed to Zia International Airport, to honour Shah Jala, one of the most venerated Sufi saints from Bangladesh. Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport caters to Bangladesh's flag carrier Biman Bangladesh Airlines, as a primary hub. It is also known to be a hub for many private Bangladesh-based airlines such as Regent Airways, US-Bangla Airlines and Novoair. It currently accommodates a whopping 18.5 million passengers. The first landing strip was constructed in 1941, at Kurmitola, by the British government and used for World War II's airfare.

About Airport Terminals

There are two functional terminals available at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport. A third one is being constructed to expand the passenger capacity and to add more features to the airport. Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 both have international flight functions. They are located in the same building. Terminal 1 is on the ground floor, and it is used as an international arrivals hall. Meanwhile, Terminal 2 is on the upper floor and serves as the departure hall for international travels. In the domestic terminal, the arrivals and departure halls are present on the same floor. A designated VIP terminal has also been constructed with a view to accommodate Bangladesh's delegates. The terminal is only 200 meters away from the international terminals.

Terminal 3 is currently under works, the foundation of the same was laid in 2019 by Bangladesh's Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The terminal is slated to complete on 2022. A portion of the financial assistance is being provided by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). The new terminal is said to include passenger terminal with a floor that is sprawled across 64,000 sq ft, a VVIP complex, a multi-level parking bay in the building terminal and the capacity to accommodate 20 million passengers.

About Airport Authority

Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport falls under the ownership of the Government of Bangladesh. It is currently operated by Civil Aviation Authority, Bangladesh (CAAB). The statutory body functions as a regulatory frame to cater to all activities that relate to aviation in Bangladesh. CAAB is recognised nationwide and is the central aviation authority. It operates under the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism. The authority is headquartered in Dhaka's Kurmitola. Over the years, Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport has witnessed several upgradations and development schemes to make it better.

The airport is currently working on several extension and up-gradation plans. There is a passenger extension apron that is being constructed from foxtrot taxiway to the export cargo apron recently concluded. Along with this, Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport has also laid new asphalt concrete on the runway. Along with this, consultancy services have also upgraded the airport's premise. Meanwhile, some of the works in action are improving the security system of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport. Additionally, there are works to develop the entire airport and expand it to accommodate more airlines.

Top airlines flying from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport

Bangladesh's proximity with India has enabled the functioning of several direct flights to the city of Dhaka. There are three Indian airlines that operate from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport. In fact, the Indian airlines that operate from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport are Air India, IndiGo and SpiceJet. Along with some Indian airlines, there are a few international airlines to that function from the airport. Airlines that fly from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport include Air Arabia, Air Asia, Biman Bangladesh Airlines, Cathay Dragon, China Eastern Airlines, China Southern Airlines, Druk Air, Emirates, Gulf Air, Himalaya Airlines, Kuwait Airways, Malaysia Airlines, Maldivian, Malindo Air, Qatar Airways, Saudia, Singapore Airlines, SriLankan Airlines, Thai Airways, Turkish Airlines and US-Bangla Airlines. The international airlines mostly connect with Southeast Asian and Middle Eastern countries. Cities such as Abu Dhabi, Kathmandu, Kuala Lumpur, Medina, Riyadh, Singapore, Hong Kong, Kuwait, Colombo, Istanbul, Doha and more, are well-connected with Dhaka.

Facilities at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport

Baggage - The airport provides several baggage services that one can avail. At the entrance of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, you can find trolleys to take your luggage inside the airport with ease. There are baggage wrapping services also available along with porter facilities and storage. For baggage wrapping, you might have to inform the airlines beforehand so they can fix it for you.

Lounge - The terminals also have a lounge. The airport lounge has services such as restaurants, relaxing spaces, complimentary shower booths and more. You can avail all of this along with their good hospitality, provided your ticket or premium membership at any of their airlines allows.

Medical services - With a view to providing services in times of medical emergencies, Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport has also ensured to keep clinics in their premise. Along with clinics, the airport also has pharmacies as well as an ambulance. This is to make sure that there are enough amenities available in times of emergencies.

ATM and banks - The airport also offers some of their local banks at the premise to help with transfers and withdrawals of money. You can get access to your personal funds from the airport and avail their bank services. Further, there are foreign exchange facilities also available at the banks. They give decent rates too, making the currency exchange easier and affordable. ATMs are also present at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport so you can withdraw money and use it for currency exchange.

Hotel booking - At the airport, there is a dedicated travel agent booth. They basically help travellers with information about the city along with tours and travel packages that one can avail. The booking booth also has hotel recommendations and accommodation facilities. You can book your hotel at the airport itself. It's convenient and easy as you wouldn't have to traverse through the city a lot before finding the ideal place to stay. They have a range of hotels from mid-range to luxury.

WiFi - Free WiFi is a perk the airport gives away. This is mostly at the international terminal for passengers travelling from other countries. You can get details on how to log in to Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport's network at their information desk or even the official website.

Entertainment deck - With a view to indulging and entertaining the travellers who are waiting for their boarding, the airport has also facilitated entertainment decks. These dedicated spaces have TVs that you can watch. You might have to share the space with other passengers as well since the entertainment deck's area is limited.

Prayer room - Multi-faith rooms are also available at the airport but separated for men and women. These can be found at the arrival as well as departure zones of the terminals.

Restaurants and cafe - At the departure and arrival sections of the terminals, there are many restaurants and cafes also installed. You can find dedicated restaurant spaces as well as a food court for affordable munchies and snacks. The same can be availed at the airport lounge as well. However, the lounge comes with an exorbitant cost and is exclusive to specific ticket holders or premium members.

Visitor's facility - A special deck has been installed which is called as visitor's faculty. Basically, all visitors who are dropping off passengers or expecting them, use this space to relax.

How to reach Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport

Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport has a perfect connection with downtown Dhaka. The government has constructed an eight-lane Airport Road to directly connect the airport and the main city. You can take this route to reach the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport. There are many ways to reach the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport from the city centre.

Public transport

There is a dedicated railway station that directly connects with the airport. In fact, the station called Airport Railway Station is located juxtaposed to the airport. The train can be taken from within the city. You can take the train to reach the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport. Since the airport is currently undergoing tremendous expansion plans, the entire city has been engulfed by the airport. This means you can easily make it to the airport from anywhere in the city.

Taxicabs

Taxicab and rental services are also available at the airport and from anywhere in the city. In fact, if you have checked into one of the big hotels with airport shuttle services, you can make use of the same facility. The prices are reasonable, but you might have to haggle with the driver before getting into the car. There are many hotels located in proximity to the airport so you can easily get a room in one of these accommodation services. Rickshaw services are also available that would reach you to Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.