If you’re planning a trip to Hanoi, Vietnam, one place worth keeping on your radar is Blue Sky Noi Bai Hotel.

For many Korean travelers flying with full-service carriers like Korean Air or Asiana Airlines, international flights to Hanoi typically land around 10 p.m. By the time you pass through immigration and collect your luggage, it’s usually close to midnight. At that hour, making your way into central Hanoi to check in at an expensive hotel can feel like a waste—of both time and money.

In such cases, it makes sense to spend your first night near the airport, resting before kicking off your journey in earnest the next day. Blue Sky Noi Bai Hotel is ideally situated just a five-minute drive from Noi Bai International Airport, making it a perfect first stop for travelers with this type of plan in mind.

Of course, there are plenty of airport-adjacent hotels in the area, catering to transit passengers and late-night arrivals. But Blue Sky Noi Bai sets itself apart in a few key ways. First and foremost, it’s brand-new—having just opened its doors on July 10th of this year—offering that crisp, clean atmosphere only a newly built hotel can. What’s more, the rooftop features an outdoor swimming pool, so even if it’s just a brief overnight stay, you can still soak in a bit of that Southeast Asian charm before heading deeper into your Hanoi adventure.

Another standout feature is the complimentary shuttle service to and from the airport, eliminating the need to negotiate with taxi drivers late at night. And because the hotel is barely a few months old, even the shuttle vehicles are in near-pristine condition, ensuring a smooth and comfortable ride right from the terminal to the lobby.

I booked a stay here on the front end of a five-day trip to Ha Long Bay. Although Hai Phong Airport is closer to Ha Long, I chose to fly into Hanoi’s Noi Bai International Airport to take advantage of flights operated by Asiana and Korean Air. With arrival close to midnight, heading directly to the bay wasn’t practical. That’s how I discovered Blue Sky Noi Bai Hotel, and for $30 USD per night, it’s hard to imagine a more well-suited layover option.

One detail worth noting: while the free shuttle is a one-way service, the booking process isn’t well-documented online and may cause a bit of confusion. To arrange it, send your reservation number and arrival flight details via WhatsApp or KakaoTalk to the hotel in advance. The contact number is +84-98-766-9992—the same for both messaging platforms—and you’ll receive instructions from there. It’s a small extra step for a seamless transition from plane to pillow.

As for the hotel itself, there are a few more thoughtful touches that elevate the experience. The mini-bar is stocked with drinks and snacks priced comparably to those in a local supermarket—meaning you can help yourself without that usual minibar guilt. Additionally, the surrounding area offers several excellent local eateries, particularly pho shops, just a short walk away. Instead of booking a room with breakfast included, I’d recommend reserving room-only and heading out for an authentic bowl of Vietnamese noodle soup in the morning. For just $2 USD, you’ll get a hearty, flavorful breakfast and a taste of local life that no hotel buffet can replicate.