Timelines Established for Long Thanh and Tan Son Nhat Airports

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has assigned contractors and investors to expedite the construction of Long Thanh and Tan Son Nhat airports. During the launch ceremony for new bidding packages on August 31, PM Chinh emphasized the significance of these projects, stating that they will create new growth opportunities, enhance national competitiveness, and open up development spaces within the aviation-economic ecosystem.

Over the years, Vietnam’s aviation infrastructure has seen upgrades and expansions through state investments. However, the pace of investment has not always kept up with the growth, resulting in several airports, particularly Tan Son Nhat, operating beyond their capacity. PM Chinh acknowledged the complexity of the new bidding packages and urged relevant ministries and authorities to collaborate to ensure timely support and remove any obstacles that may cause unnecessary delays or budget concerns.

The People’s Committees of Ho Chi Minh City and Dong Nai have been instructed to accelerate the implementation of traffic projects that connect with passenger terminals, ensuring convenient access for passengers once the terminals are operational.

The bidding package for the construction of the Long Thanh terminal was awarded to Vietur Corporation of Vietnam, with an investment capital of VND35 trillion ($1.47 billion). The construction will be carried out in three phases, with the first phase involving the construction of a runway, one passenger terminal, and supporting facilities to accommodate 25 million passengers and 1.2 million tonnes of cargo annually. By 2050, when fully completed, the airport is expected to handle 100 million passengers and five million tonnes of cargo annually. Located 40km east of Ho Chi Minh City, the Long Thanh airport aims to alleviate the current capacity issues faced by Tan Son Nhat International Airport.