Historic military air base on the eastern edge of Hanoi.
Opened
1930s
Location
Hanoi, Vietnam
Gia Lam Air Base is a military airfield located in the Long Bien district on the eastern outskirts of Hanoi, Vietnam. It sits on the eastern bank of the Red River and has served as a key Vietnamese military installation for decades, predating the modern Noi Bai International Airport which now handles commercial traffic for the capital.
The base has deep historical significance, having been used during the First Indochina War and the Vietnam War. It was the site where American prisoners of war were released and repatriated following the Paris Peace Accords in 1973. The facility also served as Ho Chi Minh's arrival point on several historic occasions.
Today Gia Lam functions primarily as a military base and hosts Vietnam People's Air Force operations. It has limited civilian use and is not open to regular commercial passenger traffic, with Noi Bai International Airport serving as Hanoi's primary civilian aviation hub.
Getting to & from
The base is located approximately 8 kilometers from central Hanoi, accessible by road across the Long Bien or Chuong Duong bridges.
Notable facts
- ›Used as a prisoner of war repatriation site during Operation Homecoming in 1973 following the Paris Peace Accords.
- ›Originally constructed by the French during the colonial period, likely in the 1930s.
- ›Served as a primary air base for North Vietnam during the Vietnam War.
- ›Ho Chi Minh arrived at Gia Lam on historic occasions, including his return to Hanoi in 1954.
- ›Currently operated by the Vietnam People's Air Force with restricted civilian access.
This profile is provided for general information only. Details may be inaccurate or outdated — always verify with the airport's official website before acting on them.