Key facts
- Vietnam is preparing for trial operations at Long Thanh International Airport this month.
- Long Thanh International Airport is designed to become Vietnam's largest and most modern aviation hub.
- Phase one includes a passenger terminal, a runway, and core technical facilities.
- The airport's initial capacity is planned for 25 million passengers and 1.2 million tons of cargo annually.
- Commercial flight services are targeted for the fourth quarter of 2026.
- The project has faced delays in land acquisition and package tendering.
Vietnam is nearing the start of trial operations for its new Long Thanh International Airport, a massive infrastructure project intended to alleviate congestion at Ho Chi Minh City's current gateway, Tan Son Nhat International Airport. Despite a significant acceleration in construction, with over 9,000 workers and military engineering units mobilized, the project faces challenges in meeting its ambitious 2026 opening targets. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has instructed that key construction stages be fully completed by the third quarter of 2026, with commercial flight services aiming for the fourth quarter. The first phase of Long Thanh is designed to handle an initial capacity of 25 million passengers and 1.2 million tons of cargo annually, featuring a world-class terminal and a runway capable of accommodating large commercial aircraft. However, emerging concerns include potential delays due to complex fit-out and systems integration, cost pressures from fluctuating material prices and contractor performance, and airlines' reluctance to shift operations from Tan Son Nhat due to fee disputes and network planning complexities. The project is viewed as a symbol of Vietnam's growth ambitions and is central to its tourism and investment strategies through 2030.
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