Long Thanh International Airport, a large-scale project under construction in Long Thanh district, Dong Nai province, about 40km east of Ho Chi Minh City. When completed, the airport is expected to have a capacity of serving up to 100 million passengers per year, becoming the largest airport in Vietnam.
1. Strategic location and connectivity
This airport is located in a strategic location, not only serving the southern region but also having the ability to connect with countries in Southeast Asia, Asia, as well as other continents. With its location near important traffic routes, Long Thanh airport will contribute to promoting the economy, tourism and being an international air transit point in the region.
2. Development history and important stages
The development history of Long Thanh International Airport began in the 1980s with the goal of replacing Tan Son Nhat Airport. Construction officially started on January 5, 2021, with Phase 1 expected to be completed in 2025. This phase includes the construction of a terminal with a capacity of 25 million passengers/year and other related works.
Long Thanh Airport is not only an important transport project but also a symbol of Vietnam’s development and international integration in the future.
3. Vision and Objectives
Long-term goals and vision of the project: Long Thanh International Airport is expected to become an international and regional aviation transit hub, reaching level 4F according to the classification of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). The goal of building this airport is not only to meet the increasing travel demand but also to promote the economy of the Southern region and the whole country.
Expected contribution to the aviation industry: This airport is expected to help the Vietnamese aviation industry “take off”, making Vietnam a key aviation transit point in the region and internationally.
Expected contribution to the local economy: When put into operation, Long Thanh Airport is expected to contribute 3-5% of the country’s total GDP each year, helping to create jobs for tens of thousands of workers in many industries in the area surrounding the airport. This will create an “airport economic system”, opening up new development space and creating new growth momentum for the Southeast region as well as the whole country.
4. Construction progress of Long Thanh International Airport
The project will be divided into 3 phases for implementation with an estimated investment of about 336,600 billion VND, details as follows:
Phase 1: (2020 – 2025): Construction of a passenger terminal with a capacity of 25 million passengers/year, a cargo terminal with a capacity of 1.2 million tons/year and a runway.
Phase 2: (2025 – 2035): Increase the capacity of the passenger terminal to 50 million passengers/year and the cargo terminal to 1.5 million tons/year.
Phase 3: (2035 – 2050): Increase the capacity of the passenger terminal to 100 million passengers/year and the cargo terminal to 5 million tons/year.
Challenges and solutions during construction: Some of the major challenges during construction include site clearance and relocation of residents, as well as securing stable investment capital. To address these challenges, local authorities and relevant agencies have focused on equitable compensation and resettlement, as well as proposing flexible financial mechanisms to attract and maintain the necessary capital for the project.
With the continuous efforts of the investor and support from the government, the Long Thanh International Airport project is gradually realizing its vision of becoming a major international aviation hub in the region and contributing to the economic development of Vietnam.
5. Benefits of Long Thanh Airport
Positive impacts on the regional and national economy: Long Thanh International Airport is expected to contribute significantly to Vietnam’s GDP, with an estimated 3 – 5% of the country’s total GDP each year. This project not only helps the aviation industry develop but also creates an “airport economic system”, opening up new development space and creating new growth momentum for the Southeast region as well as the whole country.
Job opportunities and skill development for local people: When put into operation, Long Thanh Airport is expected to need about 13.8 thousand jobs, from high school to university. To prepare human resources, vocational training programs have been implemented, such as the cooperation between Lilama International College of Technology and Vietjet Aviation Academy to train aviation-related professions. This not only creates job opportunities but also helps local people develop professional skills, meeting the needs of the increasingly expanding aviation industry.
Local Economic Development: Linking Long Thanh Airport with Other Industries
Stimulating the Transport and Logistics Industry: The airport will facilitate the transportation of goods, thereby promoting the development of the logistics and transport industry, especially air transport.
Stimulating the Tourism Industry: With its international connectivity, the airport will attract tourists to the area, contributing to the development of the tourism industry and related services.
Developing industrial and technological zones
