Vietnam PM Presses for Long Thanh Airport Completion by Mid-2026
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Vietnam's PM has ordered the completion of Long Thanh International Airport's first phase by mid-2026, aiming to create a key regional aviation hub.
Key Takeaways
- •Targets mid-2026 completion for Phase 1 of Long Thanh International Airport.
- •Designed to handle 25 million passengers and 1.2 million metric tons of cargo annually.
- •Aims to relieve severe congestion at Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN).
- •Positions Vietnam to compete as a major Southeast Asian aviation hub.
Vietnam's Prime Minister, Pham Minh Chinh, has directed project stakeholders to complete the first phase of Long Thanh International Airport (LTH) by the first half of 2026. The directive underscores the government's commitment to establishing the new airport as a major regional aviation hub, with an initial capacity to handle 25 million passengers and 1.2 million metric tons of cargo annually.
The project is a critical piece of Vietnam's national infrastructure strategy, designed primarily to alleviate severe and persistent congestion at Ho Chi Minh City's existing Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN). The completion of Long Thanh's first phase is expected to significantly enhance Vietnam's air transport capacity, positioning the country to compete with other major Southeast Asian hubs for international traffic.
Project Scope and Timeline
During a recent on-site inspection, Prime Minister Chinh emphasized that the project's completion symbolizes that “nothing is impossible” with sufficient resolve. He has tasked the primary investor, the state-owned Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV), and other involved agencies with ensuring the project's progress, quality, and safety, stating that they will be held fully accountable.
According to the government's Decision No. 1777/QĐ-TTg, which approved the initial investment, Phase 1 includes the construction of one runway, a passenger terminal, and supporting infrastructure across a 5,000-hectare site in Dong Nai Province. The airport is being built to the highest standard, 4F, as defined by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), allowing it to accommodate the largest modern passenger aircraft. A significant milestone was achieved on December 19, 2025, when a Vietnam Airlines Boeing 787 performed the first official landing at the new airport.
Alleviating Critical Congestion
The development of Long Thanh is a direct response to the operational limits of Tan Son Nhat International Airport. SGN, which serves the country's economic center, handled 40.7 million passengers in 2023, substantially exceeding its design capacity of 30 million passengers per year. This has resulted in frequent delays and strained facilities, hindering further growth in one of Southeast Asia's fastest-growing aviation markets.
Long Thanh airport is designed to absorb this overcapacity and accommodate future growth. The Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV) views the project as essential for the sustainable development of the country's air transport network. The new airport will operate in parallel with SGN, which will continue to serve domestic and a portion of international flights.
A Hub for Southeast Asia
The Long Thanh project is central to Vietnam's National Airport Development Master Plan. This plan, outlined in Government Decision 648/QĐ-TTg, aims to expand the national airport network to 30 airports by 2030. The ultimate vision for Long Thanh is an airport with a total capacity of up to 100 million passengers and five million metric tons of cargo per year upon full completion.
This ambitious scale positions Vietnam to challenge established aviation hubs in the region, such as Singapore's Changi Airport and Thailand's Suvarnabhumi Airport. As Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi have recorded the fastest airport capacity growth in Southeast Asia, Long Thanh is seen as the key to capturing a larger share of international transit traffic. The project is also part of a global trend toward developing 'airport cities,' with plans for an adjacent aviation industrial park to drive economic activity. More information is available on the official ACV project page.
Investment and Economic Impact
The total estimated investment for the entire three-phase Long Thanh project is over VND 336.63 trillion (approximately US$13 billion). Phase 1 alone requires an investment of around VND 109 trillion (approx. US$4.2 billion). To fund this large-scale development, the Vietnamese government is actively promoting Public-Private Partnership (PPP) models to attract private investment for various project components.
Why This Matters
The accelerated timeline for Long Thanh International Airport's first phase signals Vietnam's urgent push to modernize its infrastructure and capitalize on its strategic geographic location. For the aviation industry, the project's completion will unlock significant capacity in a key growth market, creating new opportunities for airlines and logistics operators. This development is a critical step in reshaping Southeast Asia's aviation landscape and will be a major driver of Vietnam's economic development for decades to come.
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Written by Ujjwal Sukhwani
Aviation News Editor & Industry Analyst delivering clear coverage for a worldwide audience. Covers flight operations, safety regulations, and market trends with expert analysis.
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