Visiting

Getting to our clinic — directions for New Zealand patients arriving in Vietnam

Practical directions from Nội Bài and Tân Sơn Nhất airports to Picasso Dental Clinic in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City — Grab, taxis, and clinic transfers explained.

Picasso Dental Clinic's Hanoi flagship at 16 Phố Châu Long, Ba Đình is 40–50 minutes from Nội Bài International Airport (HAN) by Grab ride-share at a typical cost of NZD 12–20, with clinic-arranged airport transfers also available on request as of May 2026.

Getting from the airport to our clinic is straightforward. Both Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City have well-established ride-share and taxi infrastructure, and journey times are predictable outside peak hours. This page covers the practical options so you can plan your arrival with confidence.

From Nội Bài Airport (HAN) to our Hanoi clinic

Nội Bài International Airport is approximately 40–50 minutes from our Hanoi flagship at 16 Phố Châu Long, Trúc Bạch, Ba Đình. Traffic can extend this to 60 minutes during morning and evening peak hours (7:30–9:00 AM and 5:00–7:00 PM on weekdays).

Grab is the dominant ride-share app in Vietnam and operates at both Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City airports. It shows the fare before you confirm the booking, which removes any ambiguity about pricing.

DetailInformation
AppGrab (iOS and Android)
Typical fare, HAN to Old QuarterNZD 12–20
Journey time40–50 minutes
PaymentLinked card or cash
Pickup point at HANDesignated Grab zone, ground floor of arrivals hall — follow in-app map

Download and install Grab before leaving New Zealand. You can link your Visa or Mastercard in the app settings. If you have not done this before landing, the free airport Wi-Fi at Nội Bài allows you to set it up on arrival.

Metered taxi

If you prefer a taxi, use only Mai Linh (green livery) or Vinasun (white with green lettering) metered taxis from the official taxi stand outside arrivals. Both companies use metered fares and are the standard recommendation for international travellers. Expect to pay NZD 15–25 for the trip to the Old Quarter. Have the clinic address written in Vietnamese ready on your phone: 16 Phố Châu Long, Trúc Bạch, Ba Đình, Hà Nội.

Avoid approaching drivers inside the terminal who offer fixed-price trips — these are not the airport’s official taxi operators.

Clinic airport transfer

We can arrange a private car pickup from Nội Bài for patients who request it. This is particularly useful if you are arriving late at night, travelling alone, or returning to the airport after surgery when you want predictable transport without the need to navigate the Grab app while managing post-surgical discomfort. Request the transfer when confirming your appointment:

From Tân Sơn Nhất Airport (SGN) to our HCMC clinic

Tân Sơn Nhất International Airport is 20–40 minutes from our Ho Chi Minh City branch at 25B Nguyễn Duy Hiệu, Thảo Điền, Quận 2. HCMC traffic is heavier than Hanoi’s, so allow extra time if you are arriving during peak hours.

Grab from SGN

DetailInformation
Typical fare, SGN to Thảo ĐiềnNZD 5–12
Journey time20–40 minutes
Pickup point at SGNGrab pickup area is outside the departures level — follow signs or use the in-app map

The HCMC Grab pickup is on the departures level (upstairs), not the arrivals level. This is a common point of confusion at Tân Sơn Nhất — walk up one level or follow the Grab zone signs after exiting customs.

Clinic airport transfer

We can arrange a pickup from SGN on the same basis as Hanoi. Contact us in advance or email to request this.

Practical tips for arrival

Download Grab before landing. Airport Wi-Fi works in a pinch, but having the app pre-installed and linked to your card means you can book a car within two minutes of clearing customs. It is easier than managing it alongside bags and jet lag.

Save the clinic address in Vietnamese on your phone. Even if you use Grab, having the Vietnamese address on hand is useful if a driver asks for clarification or if you need to show a taxi driver the destination:

  • Hanoi flagship: 16 Phố Châu Long, Trúc Bạch, Ba Đình, Hà Nội
  • Hanoi Westlake: LKC22 Hoàng Minh Thảo, Bắc Từ Liêm, Hà Nội
  • HCMC: 25B Nguyễn Duy Hiệu, Thảo Điền, Quận 2, TP. Hồ Chí Minh

Plan your post-surgery return. If you are flying home within 24 hours of your final procedure, arrange your airport transfer in advance. Post-surgery fatigue combined with the Grab pickup process at a busy airport is manageable but worth simplifying. We recommend booking the clinic transfer service for this leg.

Your hotel is part of the logistics picture. If you have had implant surgery, a long Grab ride back to a distant hotel adds post-surgical discomfort. Staying close to our clinic — the Old Quarter or Ba Đình in Hanoi, Thảo Điền in HCMC — reduces this. See where to stay near our clinic for accommodation guidance.

Next step

Visiting our clinic — overview · Where to stay near our clinic · Getting around Hanoi and HCMC · Request a free NZD quote

About this page

Portrait of Dr. Emily Nguyen, Founding Clinical Director, Picasso Dental Clinic

Medically reviewed by

Dr. Emily Nguyen

Founding Clinical Director, Picasso Dental Clinic

DDS · Founder and Clinical Director, Picasso Dental Clinic group

Clinical focus: Cosmetic dentistry · Veneers · Smile design

Dr. Emily Nguyen founded Picasso Dental Clinic in 2013 (originally Serenity International Dental Clinic) and led its 2023 rebrand. She sets clinical standards across the group's six branches in Hanoi, Da Nang, Ho Chi Minh City, and Da Lat, and personally reviews cosmetic protocols including the Portrait Sitting workflow for veneers and smile makeovers.

Last clinically reviewed
Published by
Picasso Dental Clinic
Review policy
Every medical procedure page on this site is reviewed by a named Picasso clinician before publication and re-checked when pricing, materials, or protocols change. Source documents are linked at the bottom of each page.

Frequently asked questions

How do I get from Nội Bài Airport to Picasso Dental Clinic in Hanoi?

The most reliable option is Grab ride-share. Open the app on arrival, enter 16 Phố Châu Long, Ba Đình as your destination, and confirm the fare (typically NZD 12–20). The journey is 40–50 minutes in normal traffic. Metered taxis (Mai Linh or Vinasun only) are a reliable alternative at approximately NZD 15–25.

How do I get from Tân Sơn Nhất Airport to the HCMC clinic?

Grab is the recommended option from Tân Sơn Nhất (SGN) to our HCMC branch at 25B Nguyễn Duy Hiệu, Thảo Điền. The fare is typically NZD 5–12 and the journey takes 20–40 minutes depending on traffic.

Can Picasso arrange an airport transfer for me?

Yes. We can arrange a private car pickup from either HAN or SGN. Request this when you confirm your appointment by email at [email protected]. Clinic-arranged transfers are particularly useful on post-surgery travel days when predictable, comfortable transport matters.

Does Grab work with a New Zealand phone and credit card?

Yes. Download the Grab app before leaving New Zealand and link your Visa or Mastercard. You can also use the cash payment option if you prefer to pay in Vietnamese Dong on arrival. Grab works on roaming data or a local Vietnamese SIM.

Are there shuttle buses from Nội Bài Airport to the city?

The 86 Express bus runs from Nội Bài to the Old Quarter and costs approximately NZD 2–3. It takes 45–75 minutes and does not drop off at the clinic door. After any dental surgery, we recommend Grab or a clinic transfer instead — the bus involves more walking and exposure to crowded spaces.