Gia Lam Air Base (VVGL)
Medium airport · Hanoi (Long Bien), Red River Delta Region, Vietnam
Airport data
| Name | Gia Lam Air Base |
|---|---|
| ICAO | VVGL |
| Elevation | 50 ft (15 m) above mean sea level |
| Coordinates | N 21°2'26" E 105°53'10" 21.04050, 105.88600 |
| Location | Hanoi (Long Bien), Red River Delta Region, Vietnam |
| Scheduled service | No |
Runways
| Runway | Length | Width | Surface | Lighted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 02/20 | 6,571 ft (2003 m) | 100 ft | ASP | No |
Gia Lam Air Base at a glance
Gia Lam Air Base is a medium airport in Hanoi (Long Bien), Red River Delta Region, Vietnam. The field elevation of 50 ft (15 m) is the number every arriving pilot dials against QNH — circuit heights and initial approach altitudes at VVGL 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, 02/20, offers 6,571 ft (2003 m) of asp surface, without recorded lighting. Runway numbers give magnetic orientation: runway 02 points roughly 20° magnetic.
For the weather side of planning, the live METAR and TAF page for VVGL 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 Gia Lam Air Base
Distances are great-circle, measured from the field reference point — planning distances along airways or roads will run longer.
| Airport | Code | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Noi Bai International Airport | VVNB | 22 km (12 NM) |
| Cat Bi International Airport | VVCI | 91 km (49 NM) |
| Van Don International Airport | VVVD | 159 km (86 NM) |
| Baihe Ningming Air Base | CN-0053 | 176 km (95 NM) |
| Sam Neua Airport | VLSN | 201 km (109 NM) |
Flight-planning notes for Gia Lam Air Base
Density altitude is the quiet performance-killer at any field: on a hot day the 50 ft field elevation of Gia Lam Air Base 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 22 airports and airfields we list for Vietnam — 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 Gia Lam Air Base
What is the ICAO code of Gia Lam Air Base?
The ICAO identifier of Gia Lam Air Base is VVGL, and it has no IATA code assigned. The ICAO code is the one used in flight plans, METAR reports and aeronautical charts.
How high is Gia Lam Air Base above sea level?
Gia Lam Air Base sits at an elevation of 50 feet (15 metres) above mean sea level. Field elevation is the reference for pattern altitudes and for setting the altimeter on the ground.
Where exactly is Gia Lam Air Base located?
The airport lies at 21.0405, 105.8860 — in Hanoi (Long Bien), Red River Delta Region, Vietnam, in the northern hemisphere. The closest listed field is Noi Bai International Airport, about 22 km away.
Does VVGL publish METAR weather reports?
Where the station reports, the current METAR and TAF for VVGL 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 Gia Lam Air Base?
Gia Lam Air Base has one runway. The longest, 02/20, measures 6,571 ft (2003 m) with a ASP surface.