Location
Lat 20°59′48″N Long 105°49′55″E . Located in the Thanh Xuan District, south of Gai Lam Airfield near Hanoi. Also known as Bach-Mai, Bachme or Bachma. Known to the French as "Bach Mai" or "Hanoi Airport". In Vietnamese, known as Sân bay Bach Mai.

Construction
During 1917, built by the French.

Wartime History
During the Pacific War, this airfield was used by French. During 1940, Vichy French aircraft operating from Bach Mai supported operations during the Franco-Thai War during 1940-41.

French Units at Hanoi (Bach Mai)
1st Escadrille d'Indochine 1918 redesignated Groupe Mixte Aérien 595 during 1939
l'escadrille d'observation 1/595 (Potez 25)
l'escadrille de chasse 2/595 (Morane-Saulnier M.S.406)
Vichy French Units at Hanoi (Bach Mai)
l'escadrille d'observation 1/41 (Potez 25A2) 1942
Le Groupe aerien mixte 42 (Potez 633) Lt. Col. Pelisse 1940

After the Japanese occupation of French Indochina on September 26, 1940 the remaining Vichy French aircraft formed Groupement Aérien Nord Indochine, until dissolved during March 1943 due to wear and lack of spare parts. During the Japanese Second French Indochina Campaign, the remaining French aircraft were destroyed.

American aircraft did not target Bach Mai Airfield during the Pacific War.

Postwar
After September 1945, returned to exculsive French control. During French operations against the Vietnamese, used as a major logistical base, including supporting French forces at Dien Bien Phu.

French Air Force
Fighter Squadron 1/8 (F8F Bearcat)
Transport Squadron 2/62 'Franche-Comté' (C-47)
Transport Squadron 2/64 'Anjou' (C-47)
80th Overseas Reconnaissance Squadron / EROM 80 (RF8F / B-26C)
French Naval Air Arm
3rd Carrier Attack Squadron / Flottille 3F (SB2C-5 Helldiver)
14th Carrier Fighter Squadron / Flottille 14F (F4U-7 Corsair / AU-1 Corsair)

Vietnam War
After 1954, used by the Vietnamese People's Air Force and used as their air defense command and control center during the Second Indochina War and during the Cambodian–Vietnamese War.

Today
Known as Hanoi Airport or Gai Lam Airport. Designated a small airport. Airport code: ICAO: VVGL. The single runway is oriented 02 and measures 6,565' and surfaced with asphalt. Parts disused are located along present day Le Trong Tan Street. It is now the site of the Vietnam People's Air Force Museum, where a number of period military aircraft are on display.

Vietnam People's Air Force Museum (VPAF Museum)
Located at Bach Mai Airfield

Contribute Information
Do you have photos or additional information to add?

Last Updated
November 29, 2023