Sam Neua Airport (VLSN)
Medium airport · Houaphan Province, Laos
Airport data
| Name | Sam Neua Airport |
|---|---|
| ICAO | VLSN |
| IATA | NEU |
| Elevation | 3,281 ft (1000 m) above mean sea level |
| Coordinates | N 20°25'6" E 104°4'1" 20.41840, 104.06700 |
| Location | Houaphan Province, Laos |
| Scheduled service | No |
Runways
| Runway | Length | Width | Surface | Lighted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 08/26 | 3,715 ft (1132 m) | 80 ft | ASP | No |
Sam Neua Airport at a glance
Sam Neua Airport is a medium airport in Houaphan Province, Laos, known to airline systems as NEU. The field elevation of 3,281 ft (1000 m) is the number every arriving pilot dials against QNH — circuit heights and initial approach altitudes at VLSN are all figured from it. There is no scheduled airline service listed here — typical traffic is general aviation, training and local operations.
The single runway, 08/26, offers 3,715 ft (1132 m) of asp surface, without recorded lighting. Runway numbers give magnetic orientation: runway 08 points roughly 80° magnetic.
For the weather side of planning, the live METAR and TAF page for VLSN shows the current observation decoded line by line — wind on an instrument dial, visibility, cloud layers and the resulting flight rules — refreshed continuously from official sources.
Nearest airports to Sam Neua Airport
Distances are great-circle, measured from the field reference point — planning distances along airways or roads will run longer.
| Airport | Code | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Dien Bien Phu Airport | VVDB | 155 km (84 NM) |
| Gia Lam Air Base | VVGL | 201 km (109 NM) |
| Noi Bai International Airport | VVNB | 202 km (109 NM) |
| Luang Phabang International Airport | VLLB | 206 km (111 NM) |
| Vinh Airport | VVVH | 251 km (136 NM) |
Flight-planning notes for Sam Neua Airport
Density altitude is the quiet performance-killer at any field: on a hot day the 3,281 ft field elevation of Sam Neua Airport can translate into a substantially higher density altitude, stretching take-off rolls and flattening climb rates — run the numbers rather than trusting the feel of a standard day. Expect published instrument procedures, controlled airspace and clearance requirements; slots and handling may apply to general aviation traffic.
This entry is one of 6 airports and airfields we list for Laos — the country index on the airports hub links the rest. Coordinates above are given in both DMS and decimal degrees so they can go straight into a GPS, a flight planner or a chart plot without conversion.
Where this data comes from
The reference layer behind this page builds on the OurAirports dataset — a public-domain, community-maintained register of the world's airports that many flight planners and apps rely on — with equity records preserved from documented historical listings where the dataset is silent. Figures are carried as published: elevations as surveyed, coordinates as filed, runway dimensions as recorded. Nothing is estimated to fill a gap, and the whole layer regenerates from source on every site build, so corrections upstream arrive here automatically.
Frequently asked questions about Sam Neua Airport
What is the ICAO code of Sam Neua Airport?
The ICAO identifier of Sam Neua Airport is VLSN, and its IATA code is NEU. The ICAO code is the one used in flight plans, METAR reports and aeronautical charts.
How high is Sam Neua Airport above sea level?
Sam Neua Airport sits at an elevation of 3,281 feet (1000 metres) above mean sea level. Field elevation is the reference for pattern altitudes and for setting the altimeter on the ground.
Where exactly is Sam Neua Airport located?
The airport lies at 20.4184, 104.0670 — in Houaphan Province, Laos, in the northern hemisphere. The closest listed field is Dien Bien Phu Airport, about 155 km away.
Does VLSN publish METAR weather reports?
Where the station reports, the current METAR and TAF for VLSN appear on its live weather page on this site, refreshed continuously from the US NWS Aviation Weather Center feed.
How long is the runway at Sam Neua Airport?
Sam Neua Airport has one runway. The longest, 08/26, measures 3,715 ft (1132 m) with a ASP surface.