Vietnam is preparing for a major milestone in its aviation development with the gradual opening of Long Thanh International Airport, the future main hub in the south of the country. This structural project aims to support the strong growth in international traffic and relieve congestion at the current Tan Son Nhat Airport.
Image source:Â Shigeru Ban Architect
A strategic project for Southern Vietnam
Located in Dong Nai Province, about 40 km east of Ho Chi Minh City, Long Thanh Airport has been designed to eventually become one of the largest air hubs in Southeast Asia. It will play a key role in the development of tourism, economic exchanges and Vietnam’s regional positioning.
Gradual commissioning
The project is planned in several phases:
- Phase 1: a first runway and passenger terminal, with an announced capacity of approximately 25 million passengers per year
- Ultimately: up to four runways and several terminals, with a total capacity of up to 100 million passengers per year
However, this gradual ramp-up will require a transition period between the current airport and the new site.
Accessibility and infrastructure
Several infrastructure projects are accompanying the development of Long Thanh:
- new motorways connecting Ho Chi Minh City to Dong Nai
- improvements to existing roads
- railway projects under consideration
The aim is to ensure controlled transfer times for passengers.
Points still to be clarified at this stage
To date, several operational details are still awaiting official confirmation:
- Exact opening date and when the airport will be fully operational for passengers
- Type of flights involved in the initial phases:
- only international flights (arrivals/departures)?
- or a combination of international and domestic flights?
- Air network concerned:
- which routes will be transferred as a priority?
- Which airlines will operate from Long Thanh, and according to what schedule?
Image source: Online Newspaper of the Government of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam
What this means for travellers and professionals
The opening of Long Thanh represents a major opportunity in the medium and long term, with positive prospects in terms of comfort, international connectivity and capacity.
However, the transition period will require clear and ongoing communication, both for travellers and business partners, as official announcements are made.
ASEV Travel is closely monitoring the progress of this project and will communicate any confirmed updates as soon as they become available.
