Gia Lam Airbase (Sân bay Gia Lâm)

Gia Lam Airbase is located in the Long Biên District of Hanoi, on the eastern bank of the Red River. Established in 1936 under the urban planning of Ernest Hébrard and designed by Félix Godard, it served as one of the primary airfields in the Hanoi region. During the Japanese occupation of French Indochina, Japanese forces took control of the facility in September 1940. The base was the target of Republic of China Air Force Tupolev SB-2 bombers in January 1942. French forces re-occupied the site in 1946 and utilized it as a logistics hub to support operations during the Battle of Dien Bien Phu, which included the transport of dismantled M24 Chaffee tanks. Following the 1954 Geneva Peace Accords, the airfield was transferred to the North Vietnamese government and became a primary base for the Vietnam People's Air Force (VPAF).

During the Vietnam War, the facility functioned as a storage site for petroleum, oil, and lubricants. It was targeted by the United States Air Force during Operation Rolling Thunder after being identified as suitable for fast jet operations in 1967. In 1973, the base served as the location for Operation Homecoming, where United States Air Force C-141 aircraft repatriated American prisoners of war.

The base is currently operated by the Vietnam Air Defence - Air Force. Its roles include military training and airlifting operations. The facility hosts the 918th Air Transport Regiment. Aircraft inventory at the base includes MiG-21 fighters and Kamov Ka-28 helicopters, which are maintained in revetments, as well as units of Antonov An-26 transport aircraft. The infrastructure previously served as the headquarters for Vietnam Airlines. In addition to military functions, the airfield hosts chartered helicopter taxi flights and serves as the grounds for the Vietnam Defence Expo.