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Information about Phu Bai Hue Airport
Formation history of Phu Bai Airport
Phu Bai Airport, officially known as Phu Bai International Airport, serves the city of Hue in Thua Thien Hue province, Vietnam. However, instead of being referred to as Phu Bai Airport, many people are accustomed to calling it Hue Airport to distinguish it from airports in other provinces.
Phu Bai Airport – Hue was built during the French colonial period and has undergone multiple upgrades – Source: Internet
Phu Bai Airport was constructed by the French during their colonial rule in 1940, with the aim of serving the imperial capital of Hue at that time. Initially, the runway was made of compacted soil with dimensions of 1280m x 40m, and later it was upgraded to an asphalt concrete runway measuring 1800m x 40m.
Following the reunification of the country, Phu Bai Airport commenced operations on March 26, 1976, becoming a dual-use airport for both military and civilian purposes. On April 25, 1994, the Prime Minister approved Decision No. 191/TTg endorsing the plan to upgrade Phu Bai Airport to accommodate medium-range aircraft and entrusted the comprehensive planning to the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam.
On August 29, 2007, the Minister of Transport signed a decision to designate Phu Bai Airport as an international airport, making it one of the four international airports in Vietnam. On July 17, 2009, the Prime Minister issued a decision approving the Master Plan for Phu Bai International Airport until 2020 and outlining the direction until 2030, aiming to upgrade the airport to a 4E level, capable of accommodating civilian and military shared-use, military-grade 1 airports, and capable of receiving B767, B777-200LR, and equivalent aircraft.
Thus far, the airport has undergone multiple upgrades and repairs, extending the runway to accommodate large aircraft, meeting international standards, and becoming Phu Bai International Airport (Hue). It has been equipped with signal lights, ILS system, LOC, GP, DME stations, expanded terminal buildings, aircraft parking aprons, car parking lots, operating 24/7, serving as a backup airport when international and domestic flights at Danang and Noi Bai International Airports are overloaded.
Geographical Location
Located at the address in Ward 8, Phu Bai Ward, Huong Thuy Town, Thua Thien Hue Province, Vietnam, Phu Bai Airport currently has a runway length of 2700m, width of 45m, equipped with lighting systems to facilitate nighttime flights.
Hue - Phu Bai Airport is known as Phu Bai International Airport (PBIA) in English, with the airport code: HUI. It features a runway stretching 2700m in length and 45m in width, and an apron with dimensions of 289m x 103.5m.
Scale and Operations
The terminal at Phu Bai Airport consists of 2 floors with a total area of 6539m2, specifically:
The first floor is for passengers to check in for their flights, covering an area of 3897 m2, including domestic and international check-in areas, public areas, security and baggage screening areas, passenger processing areas, special guest rooms, and VIP lounges. Additionally, there are food and beverage stalls, ATMs, bank counters, tourist information, medical services, lost and found counters, and working rooms for specialized departments and airlines.
Terminal 1 at Phu Bai Airport, Source: Internet
The second floor has a total area of approximately 2058 m2, including restricted areas, international and domestic quarantine areas, refreshment counters, fast food outlets, souvenir shops, and rooms for business-class and VIP passengers. The main occupants of the second floor are passengers and staff, with peak hours seeing around 500 people.
Terminal 2 at Phu Bai Airport, Source: Internet
Airlines with flights to Phu Bai Hue Airport
Domestic airlines: Vietnam Airlines, Pacific Airlines, Vietjet Air, Bamboo Air.
Despite being an international airport, there is currently no terminal dedicated to serving international passengers. In the near future, Hue - Phu Bai Airport is planning to expand its facilities by adding a domestic terminal to accommodate approximately 3 - 3.5 million passengers.
On average, there are about 24 takeoffs and landings per day at Phu Bai Airport.
Transportation from Phu Bai Hue Airport to the city center
Phu Bai Airport is approximately 15 km southeast of Hue city center. The travel time for this route ranges from 15 to 30 minutes, depending on the route and mode of transportation you choose. If you follow Google Maps directions, the distance to the city center via Nguyen Tat Thanh Road is about 26 km.
The distance from Phu Bai Airport to the center of Hue City is 15km – Source: Internet
Getting from Phu Bai Airport is quite convenient as there are various transportation options available such as taxis, buses, hotel shuttle services, and airport transfer services provided by some hotels. Depending on your preference, you can easily find the safest mode of transportation at different price points in a relatively short time.
Taxi
Taxis are considered the most convenient mode of transportation and are favored by most tourists. This option is suitable for tourist groups with 4 or more members and plenty of luggage. You can hail a taxi right outside the airport where you can find reputable taxi companies such as Thanh Hung Taxi, Phu Xuan Taxi, Mai Linh Taxi, Thanh Do Taxi, etc., with an average fare of about 250,000 – 300,000 VND per trip and a travel time of around 20 minutes.
Finding a taxi outside Phu Bai Airport is easy – Source: Internet
- Mai Linh Taxi: Phone: (84-54) 3898989
- Thanh Do Taxi: Phone: (84-54) 858585
- Thanh Hung Taxi: Phone: (84-54) 863863
- Phu Xuan Taxi: Phone: (84-54) 878787
- Dong Ba Taxi: Phone: (84-54) 84848
Bus
If you want to save costs, you can consider taking the bus to the center of Hue City. Currently, there are 2 bus routes serving transportation directly from the airport, which are route 2 and 11 for round trips.
In Huế, various travel companies offer a diverse range of transportation options suitable for both small groups and large parties, from 4-seater cars to 24-seater and 45-seater buses. They not only provide transfers to the city center but also offer routes to different regions and provinces. The average fare from the airport to the city center ranges from 200,000 to 500,000 VND depending on the type of vehicle. You can also schedule pickups from the city to the airport after your sightseeing tour.
Distance from Phu Bai Airport to Tourist Attractions
Here are some famous tourist attractions in Huế that you can consider when planning your itinerary after arriving from the airport to check into your hotel and drop off your luggage, or you can visit them directly on your way with the following distances:
Imperial City
The Imperial City is approximately 16km from Hue Airport, situated in the northern area along the poetic and charming Perfume River. Here, you can admire the unique architectural structures of the ancient royal court, a very famous tourist attraction that attracts not only domestic but also international tourists who come to explore, admire the beauty, and experience the feudal dynasty, the former residence of kings and lords.
Visiting the Imperial City in Huế to admire its ancient beauty – Image Source: Internet
Thien Mu Pagoda
Thien Mu Pagoda is about 20 km from Phu Bai Airport – Huế. This is a famous spiritual tourist destination in Huế, only about 5km from the city center, very convenient for transportation. It is also known as Linh Mu Pagoda, overlooking the Perfume River, located on Ha Khe Hill. Visiting Thien Mu Pagoda, you will be immersed in a peaceful and strange space, silently admiring the ancient, unique beauty and praying for good things for yourself and your family.
Thien Mu Pagoda – Huế – Image Source: Internet
Khai Dinh Tomb
From Phu Bai Airport to Khai Dinh Tomb, the distance is approximately 17 km. This is also one of the famous tombs in the ancient imperial architectural complex that you must visit to admire at least once. Khai Dinh Tomb is unique for its glorious history of the Nguyen dynasty, not only reflected through historical records of the stories passed down here but also by its unique architecture, a perfect combination of East-West culture, with intricately decorated details of ceramic mosaic art.
Dong Ba Market
From Phu Bai Airport, Dong Ba Market is approximately 16 km away. This is not only a characteristic symbol of the romantic Hue along with famous landmarks such as Thien Mu Pagoda, Perfume River but also a place where you can truly experience the daily life of the locals, full of hospitality and charm. Besides, this is a long-standing market area, offering a wide variety of goods and specialties. Visiting Dong Ba Market, you can easily find and purchase your desired souvenirs.
Hue High School
Hue High School is about 15 km from Phu Bai Airport. This is one of the oldest schools in our country, also a very attractive check-in spot. Visiting Hue High School, you will be deeply impressed by its ancient beauty, bearing the distinctive features of French colonial architecture of the early 20th century.
Hue High School where unique architecture is found – Image Source: Internet
This place is perfect for leisurely evening strolls, enjoying the European-like scenery, and refreshing in the tranquil atmosphere while capturing high-quality Instagram-worthy photos.
Hopefully, the insights shared in this article have provided you with useful information regarding Hue Airport - Phu Bai, enabling you to plan the most suitable trip to the dreamy land of Hue to discover its fascinating attractions!
