Hanoi To Danang Flight
My final flight of the day, but just the 4th in my 13-flight Circle Trip. From the earlier story, it was a quick free shuttle from Noi Bai International to this Domestic airport.
Let's go sago!
Ample time to bum around. Three hours to be exact! This was the first thing I saw:
Of course I had to tinker with them. Ako pa na curious sa lahat ng techy things! Just to see for my self, if they work fine. What did I do? Nag-print ng boarding pass hehe!
Eh that was the only thing I could do, to try and use a kiosk - since I already did web check-in last night! Verdict: ayos lang, gumagana, mabilis parang sa Changi Airport!
Compared to self check-in kiosks in the Philippines? Yung sa pula at sa dilaw? Mas mabagal ang computer systems sa atin. Pero, laging merong staff na naka-antabay!
Is that good or bad? Ah eh, the system response sa atin is parang negligible naman. It's just that not many of us Pinoys like using the kiosks - kelangan pilitin (ni AirAsia)!
And then I walked. This is my favorite part when at airports - just looking around!
If you noticed I wasn't yet at the T1 check-in counters. Those self-check-in kiosks of VietJet are situated immediately after you enter the door. THAT, is 'crowd dispersal'!
Which is actually the essence of having kiosks, right? Unlike at our airports, even at Changi, many of the machines are right beside or in-front of their check-in counters.
So, para que pa, kung andyan na rin lang ang check-in counters, di ba?
And I reached what I call the "check-in lobby" - where the check-in counters are.
Look at the upper-right-edge of this pic. That door is from the hallway where I came from (the previous pic). Just as I thought, I was a bit too early for my flight check-in.
Time check 1456H. My domestic flight to Danang (DAD) was 1710H. Their counters open 2hours BETD. As you can see, that guy was even still preparing their counters.
He entertained me though, because I went near that blue tape to ask him where the "bag-drop" counter is. He looked at my bag and asked "why is heavy?". I said 9 kilos!
Eto na...
He looked at my trolley bag again (it's a certified cabin baggage size). Ayii, kumunot ang noo! He looked at my backpack, I turned a bit to show it, as I said: "6 kilos only"!
He asked "why you check-in"? Ang sagot ko: "VietJet in Taipei told me to check-in"!
Without a word, he took my bag, placed it on their weighing scale, removed the TPE-HAN baggage tag, attached a VietJet "Cabin Baggage Tag", and gave it back to me!
Then he said "okay no more check-in, go inside". Tulala ng konti.., I said "thank you"! O eh, "go inside" agad! Masunurin akong bata. Baka mag-bago pa ang isip ni sir, hehe!
But first, I took a picture of the many other check-in counters on my left flank.
Also not crowded. At 1456H? Hmm, I could only guess that this is probably the time when domestic flights are only flying back to Hanoi. Mornings are likely busier here.
Oi, did you know that this route Hanoi (HAN) to Danang (DAD) is the second busiest domestic route in Vietnam? But let's note down, that 2 to 3PM isn't busy. Lucky me!
Another FYI (although nothing to do with me today), SGN-HAN-SGN is the busiest in Vietnam; busiest in Southeast Asia; and 4th busiest domestic route in all our planet!
That said, HAN to DAD must not be far behind in busyness. Yet, I was lucky!
Alright, so I entered the pre-departure area of this "domestic terminal"...
No immigration counters since this terminal is now purely for domestic flights. I say that because, the last time I stood here, this very place was for international flights!
Also FYI, T2 or Noi Bai International Airport Terminal 2 (where I came from, minutes ago) only opened in 2015. That's when this building became T1, for domestic flights.
In fact, this whole airport is "fairly young" compared to many airports in our country. This terminal only came to be in 2001, but passenger loads are increasing very fast.
I would not even be surprised if flights to/from here surpass MNL by 2025 or 2030.
Anyway..,
Look at the pic above again. I drew a red arrow on it. Where's that going? Alams na!
One of the smoking rooms - yes plural! This is the smallest, but it has seats good for up to 12 people. Yet, there is space in the middle for some folks to stand if need be.
Definitely better than any smoking room of any airport in the Philippines.
That smoking room even has good ramp and runway views, if anyone cares to!
This airport by the way, has 2 runways parallel to each other, 11L/29R and 11R/29L. Oh btw, you already know the names of those equipment down at the tarmac, right?
Alright, I visited the NASCO Business Lounge of Domestic Terminal 1 or T1.
Eerily silent at 4:48PM without a human soul in sight. Ayiii! Walk-out! Afraid hahaha!
This lounge has its own smoking room. No people too, but I went in just the same!
Just by looking at the 2 tables and many chairs at left, alam mo nang makatao sila! There is more space turning right. But, look at that door at right edge of that picture.
That's the door to an even more respectable room with good exhaust system. This:
Just look at what is on the center of each table, and you'll now what the room is for.
I'm not asking, wishing nor advocating for any grand, hip corner "just" for a smoking room like that - it should be respectably comfy enough, where we smokers can also quietly lounge or rest. Yes, before we Rest In Peace - but that is our problem already.
As I keep saying: kung nagdo-donate nagco-contribute pa kayo ng malaking halaga para alagaan, pakainin, damitan ang mga mamamatay-tao, mga rapist, mga kawatan, mandarambong, manggagantso sa Bilibid, don't smokers also deserve some space?
Hwag naman yung 2x3-meter room sa Mactan T2, na K & J smoking passengers pa lang, na naka-standing-position at mala-sardinas ang arrangement, eh aapaw agad!
Hwag naman ganoon. Mga tao rin ang smokers - and many are good businessmen or executives pa. For that, I salute this Noi Bai Airport in HAN just like Changi in SIN.
After puffing in solitude, I went to see the stores and eateries at pre-departure area.
I saw people lining up at what looked like an entrance to a boarding gate...
Ayay pongalangala! It was in fact my flight to DAD already boarding passengers na!
Syempre, I joined the line. Calm and collected kunwari, but actually I was startled!
Look at that gigantic TV just above Gate 14. If you notice, there's a regular-sized TV monitor displaying my flight. But it gets dwarfed by the big one with a soccer game!
Oh hello Mactan! Bababa din pala kami sa hagdan. "Sounds familiar" hahaha!
Just like anywhere, the "advent" of lowcost carriers or budget airlines, we passengers are now made to use stairs even if/when there are available gates with aerobridges.
Hep hep hep.., 'wag nyo akong debatehin about that because I have data. Don't me!
Of course all of them budget airlines (including CebuPacific and AirAsia) will readily claim 'kulang ng gates ang airport', but the truth is: ayaw lang nila magbayad ng fees!
Except of course at Singapore, because ipinagbawal yan ni Changi Airport. The rule there now is: kung lilipad ka ng SIN, use a plane that's tall enough for our airbridges.
Ganun sila!
Anyway and mind you, the plane we used on this flight to DAD was the lates Airbus A321. Yes, pinaka-bago yan, me sharklet sharklet pa, but we have to use the stairs!
Anyway again, I boarded the plane with ease. This was my view as we pushed back.
What is that thing on foreground? I think a baggage/cargo dolly with an empty pallet on it. Why is it still there or already there? Iyan, ang palaisipan! Baka nakalimututan?
And off we followed that Singapore Airlines plane towards the end of the runway.
'Stepping' unto our takeoff position at Runway 11R (west to east takeoff path).
Just before actual takeoff roll, nagsalita ang piloto. Ramdam ko, Pinoy sya, pramis!
Ah, I caught a video clip of the pilot's message and our actual takeoff.
I will place that here, once naluto na!
So, off to sunset clouds we climbed. Bye for now Hanoi. I'll be back in 5 days!
It was already dark on land but in the air, the horizon was bursting with vivid orange, yellows, reds, blues plus the white clouds. Mesmerizingly panoramic parang sa atin.
My camera and/or shooting skills can't do justice to this wonderful evening view...
Ah basta, sabi nga ng piloto (na at this point hinala ko Pinoy din), Merry Christmas!
Teka, di pa tapos ang kwento ko! Fast-forward to about an hour after takeoff...
We descended upon Danang City, shimmering with city lights on a Christmas Eve!
Just like Hanoi, Terminal 1 is Domestic, and Terminal 2 is for International Flights.
Just like in Hanoi too, we had to use the stairs and ride on a bus to the arrival area!
Still like in Hanoi, these aren't so-so buses as what we have in Manila or Cebu!
Just as I said in Hanoi, wala dito yung ipinag-sisiksikan tayo sa iisang maliit na bus.
Entering the arrival area...
No pics of the baggage carousel since I didn't have any check-in bags, remember?
But if you look closely to the left, andyan ang dulo ng isang baggage carousel!
Tantanan na ang Christmas Tree! Eto sa left, Carousel 3. Ahead is Carousel 4, etc.
Outside was also quite orderly. Look! My Klook-hired driver was very easy to find!
I showed the above pictures and told my story to my friends. They too were amazed at "how empty" the arrival area was. They all took note of this time for future flights!
You too my dear readers, can take note: arrive between 5 and 7PM. It's less chaotic!
Imagine this: 18 minutes after landing, I was already at this parking lot... smoking!
Driver even told me "take your time, your hotel is just near". He said 7~8 kilometers.
Bisyo done, we headed into city center!
Hello again Da Nang!
Let's go sago!
Ample time to bum around. Three hours to be exact! This was the first thing I saw:
Eh that was the only thing I could do, to try and use a kiosk - since I already did web check-in last night! Verdict: ayos lang, gumagana, mabilis parang sa Changi Airport!
Compared to self check-in kiosks in the Philippines? Yung sa pula at sa dilaw? Mas mabagal ang computer systems sa atin. Pero, laging merong staff na naka-antabay!
Is that good or bad? Ah eh, the system response sa atin is parang negligible naman. It's just that not many of us Pinoys like using the kiosks - kelangan pilitin (ni AirAsia)!
And then I walked. This is my favorite part when at airports - just looking around!
Which is actually the essence of having kiosks, right? Unlike at our airports, even at Changi, many of the machines are right beside or in-front of their check-in counters.
So, para que pa, kung andyan na rin lang ang check-in counters, di ba?
And I reached what I call the "check-in lobby" - where the check-in counters are.
Time check 1456H. My domestic flight to Danang (DAD) was 1710H. Their counters open 2hours BETD. As you can see, that guy was even still preparing their counters.
He entertained me though, because I went near that blue tape to ask him where the "bag-drop" counter is. He looked at my bag and asked "why is heavy?". I said 9 kilos!
Eto na...
He looked at my trolley bag again (it's a certified cabin baggage size). Ayii, kumunot ang noo! He looked at my backpack, I turned a bit to show it, as I said: "6 kilos only"!
He asked "why you check-in"? Ang sagot ko: "VietJet in Taipei told me to check-in"!
Without a word, he took my bag, placed it on their weighing scale, removed the TPE-HAN baggage tag, attached a VietJet "Cabin Baggage Tag", and gave it back to me!
Then he said "okay no more check-in, go inside". Tulala ng konti.., I said "thank you"! O eh, "go inside" agad! Masunurin akong bata. Baka mag-bago pa ang isip ni sir, hehe!
But first, I took a picture of the many other check-in counters on my left flank.
Oi, did you know that this route Hanoi (HAN) to Danang (DAD) is the second busiest domestic route in Vietnam? But let's note down, that 2 to 3PM isn't busy. Lucky me!
Another FYI (although nothing to do with me today), SGN-HAN-SGN is the busiest in Vietnam; busiest in Southeast Asia; and 4th busiest domestic route in all our planet!
That said, HAN to DAD must not be far behind in busyness. Yet, I was lucky!
Alright, so I entered the pre-departure area of this "domestic terminal"...
Also FYI, T2 or Noi Bai International Airport Terminal 2 (where I came from, minutes ago) only opened in 2015. That's when this building became T1, for domestic flights.
In fact, this whole airport is "fairly young" compared to many airports in our country. This terminal only came to be in 2001, but passenger loads are increasing very fast.
I would not even be surprised if flights to/from here surpass MNL by 2025 or 2030.
Anyway..,
Look at the pic above again. I drew a red arrow on it. Where's that going? Alams na!
Definitely better than any smoking room of any airport in the Philippines.
That smoking room even has good ramp and runway views, if anyone cares to!
Alright, I visited the NASCO Business Lounge of Domestic Terminal 1 or T1.
This lounge has its own smoking room. No people too, but I went in just the same!
That's the door to an even more respectable room with good exhaust system. This:
I'm not asking, wishing nor advocating for any grand, hip corner "just" for a smoking room like that - it should be respectably comfy enough, where we smokers can also quietly lounge or rest. Yes, before we Rest In Peace - but that is our problem already.
As I keep saying: kung nagdo-donate nagco-contribute pa kayo ng malaking halaga para alagaan, pakainin, damitan ang mga mamamatay-tao, mga rapist, mga kawatan, mandarambong, manggagantso sa Bilibid, don't smokers also deserve some space?
Hwag naman yung 2x3-meter room sa Mactan T2, na K & J smoking passengers pa lang, na naka-standing-position at mala-sardinas ang arrangement, eh aapaw agad!
Hwag naman ganoon. Mga tao rin ang smokers - and many are good businessmen or executives pa. For that, I salute this Noi Bai Airport in HAN just like Changi in SIN.
After puffing in solitude, I went to see the stores and eateries at pre-departure area.
I saw people lining up at what looked like an entrance to a boarding gate...
Ayay pongalangala! It was in fact my flight to DAD already boarding passengers na!
Syempre, I joined the line. Calm and collected kunwari, but actually I was startled!
Oh hello Mactan! Bababa din pala kami sa hagdan. "Sounds familiar" hahaha!
Hep hep hep.., 'wag nyo akong debatehin about that because I have data. Don't me!
Of course all of them budget airlines (including CebuPacific and AirAsia) will readily claim 'kulang ng gates ang airport', but the truth is: ayaw lang nila magbayad ng fees!
Except of course at Singapore, because ipinagbawal yan ni Changi Airport. The rule there now is: kung lilipad ka ng SIN, use a plane that's tall enough for our airbridges.
Ganun sila!
Anyway and mind you, the plane we used on this flight to DAD was the lates Airbus A321. Yes, pinaka-bago yan, me sharklet sharklet pa, but we have to use the stairs!
Anyway again, I boarded the plane with ease. This was my view as we pushed back.
And off we followed that Singapore Airlines plane towards the end of the runway.
'Stepping' unto our takeoff position at Runway 11R (west to east takeoff path).
Just before actual takeoff roll, nagsalita ang piloto. Ramdam ko, Pinoy sya, pramis!
So, off to sunset clouds we climbed. Bye for now Hanoi. I'll be back in 5 days!
My camera and/or shooting skills can't do justice to this wonderful evening view...
Teka, di pa tapos ang kwento ko! Fast-forward to about an hour after takeoff...
We descended upon Danang City, shimmering with city lights on a Christmas Eve!
Just like Hanoi, Terminal 1 is Domestic, and Terminal 2 is for International Flights.
Just like in Hanoi too, we had to use the stairs and ride on a bus to the arrival area!
Still like in Hanoi, these aren't so-so buses as what we have in Manila or Cebu!
Entering the arrival area...
No pics of the baggage carousel since I didn't have any check-in bags, remember?
But if you look closely to the left, andyan ang dulo ng isang baggage carousel!
Tantanan na ang Christmas Tree! Eto sa left, Carousel 3. Ahead is Carousel 4, etc.
Outside was also quite orderly. Look! My Klook-hired driver was very easy to find!
You too my dear readers, can take note: arrive between 5 and 7PM. It's less chaotic!
Imagine this: 18 minutes after landing, I was already at this parking lot... smoking!
Bisyo done, we headed into city center!
Hello again Da Nang!
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