Long Thanh International Airport is the under-construction second airport of Ho Chi Minh City. Situated approximately 40 km east of the city centre in Dong Nai Province, the airport will have enough space to eventually include 4 runways and serve over 100 million passengers annually. Such an ambitious size would put it up there with the largest airports in the world.
The new airport plan was announced as far back as 2004, but the project was plagued with delays. One of the major causes of the delay was land clearance issues.
A ground-breaking ceremony for construction was held on 31 August 2023, and the first commercial flights are estimated for September 2026.
Long Thanh International Airport Location
The new airport will be in the neighbouring province of Dong Nai, about 40km east of the city centre.
[View on Google Maps.]
The project site will cover 5,000 hectares (50 Sq KM), which is part of why it’s so far away from the city. While the land looks undeveloped on the map, there were still people living in the area. There was a rubber plantation, farmland, and an estimated 5,000 households with 17,000 people were living there.
Long Thanh International Airport transport
Long Thanh is a long way from the city compared to Tan Son Nhat, so there will need to be transport infrastructure in place before it opens. Highway access to the airport is already complete, with the Ho Chi Minh City – Long Thanh – Dau Giay Expressway having opened in 2015.
There is also a plan for a new bridge at Cat Lai, where a ferry currently operates on the Dong Nai River. This is not a direct route, but it will add more road capacity and be another option for getting to the airport should there be a problem on the expressway.
There was a proposal to build a dedicated highway between the two airports, to be used exclusively for traffic between the two airports. That will surely not be considered a feasible option.
The proposed high-speed railway will have stop at Long Thanh, connecting the high-speed station for Ho Chi Minh City in Thu Thiem. This would then continue on the north-south mainline towards Nha Trang.
[High-speed rail route through Long Thanh International Airport.]
The Thu Thiem – Long Thanh Light Rail is also planned to connect to airport to the city.
What is the route of the high-speed railway through Long Thanh airport? – [07/11/24]
“According to a representative of the Transport Design Consulting Corporation – JSC (TEDI, one of the members of the consulting consortium preparing the pre-feasibility study report for the high-speed railway project), according to the planning, regarding the route plan, the high-speed railway on the North-South axis will go through the middle of the main axis of Long Thanh airport.
This section will be about 40m long in front of terminals T1 and T2 of Long Thanh airport. This section is designed to run underground under the main road of the airport.”
NA’s delegation surveys construction of railway stations at Long Thanh Airport – [03/11/24]
“On the same day, the delegation of the National Assembly (NA)’s Economic Committee surveyed the location of the high-speed railway station. Accordingly, Long Thanh International Airport will be connected by a road system and two railway lines including the North-South high-speed railway route and Thu Thiem – Long Thanh railway.”
Why is there a going to be a new airport?
Tan Son Nhat (SGN) is the current airport that serves Ho Chi Minh City. It was first built by the French colonial government in the 1930’s. It was then expanded by the Americans during the war, where it became one of the busiest military airbases in the world. At the time the airport was on the northern outskirts of the city centre. Today the city has well and truly engulfed the airport as the urban sprawl continues north of the airport towards Cu Chi District.
It’s quite a spectacle to land at SGN as most big airports in the region have moved outside their city centres. If you are in an A-seat when landing from the east you get a great view of the city while flying over the skinny houses.
At a mere 5.45 sq km, Tan Son Nhat is one of the smallest airports compared to cities the same size. The new airport was meant to be open long before TSN reached its capacity, and also air traffic growth in Vietnam has grown faster than was predicted. There is military land on the northern side of the airport that currently hosts a golf course and resort.
Some of this land is being turned over to the airport to make extra space. The expansion will add another 246 hectares, bring the total size 791 hectares. At 7.91 sq km that is still small compared to other airports in the region, but it will buy some time while the new airport is being built.
The old airport will still operate, so Ho Chi Minh City will have two airports (like Bangkok and Shanghai). It’s not determined what airlines will fly from which airport. It may end up like Bangkok, where the old airport serves low cost airlines. Another suggestion has the new airport serving long haul or beyond-ASEAN flights. That though would be problematic for Vietnam Airlines, who fly long haul flights and then feed passengers into the domestic network. It would have to be like the Bangkok model, or grouped by alliances to allow seamless transfers with codeshared flights.
Are there alternative airport locations?
Vietnam has several airports left over from the American War that have since been turned into civilian airports. One such airport is Cam Ranh (30 km south of Nha Trang), which is now the main airport of the city.
The nearest established airport to Ho Chi Minh City is Bien Hoa Air Base, which is also in Dong Nai province about 25 km from the city centre. That is not an option as it’s still used by the Vietnam People’s Air Force. It also happens to be one of the most polluted sites in Southeast Asia as it was an Agent Orange storage facility. Work to decontaminate the site began in 2019.
Long Thanh International Airport Design
In 2016 nine potential design plans were selected from an earlier architectural competition held by the Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV). These designs then went on public display in Hanoi, Da Nang, Dong Nai, and Ho Chi Minh City. All nine finalists can be seen here.
From this list three finalists were shortlisted as potential designs:
LT-03
[Interior of concept design LT-03.]
LT-04
[Interior of concept design LT-04.]
LT-07
[Interior of concept design LT-07.]
The Transport Ministry chose the lotus-inspired design (LT-03) submitted by Heerim Architects & Planners Co.Ltd from the Republic of Korea.
According to Deputy Minister of Transport Le Dinh Tho, the selected designs will be used in a feasibility report of the project, which will be submitted to the National Assembly in late 2019.
[Video from Heerim Architects & Planners Co.,Ltd..]
Name and airport code
Long Thanh International Airport is named after its location in the district of Long Thanh in Dong Nai province.
There is no 3-letter IATA code yet, so while I was looking for this information I was wondering what it could be. The following codes are already taken:
HCM – Eyl, Somalia.
LTI – Altai, Mongolia.
LTX – Latacunga, Ecuador.
SGX – Songea, Tanzania.
An available code that could be used is LTH.
Another (less likely) option is to switch the codes with Tan Son Nhat (SGN). I put this here as an option as there has been a precedent with this in Bangkok. When Suvarnabhumi Airport opened in 2006 it took the BKK IATA code that was used at the old Bangkok International Airport. The old airport reopened in 2007 after petitioning from low-cost airlines, and it was renamed Don Mueang International Airport (DMK).
This would not be likely as SGN is associated with the Tan Son Nhat location, and it’s not going to close. When the original BKK closed it wasn’t expecting to be reopened. There would also be the matter of finding a new IATA code for Tan Son Nhat, as TSN is already taken by Tianjin in China.
News Chronology
This section is an archive of news updates for the new airport project. It features news, milestones, design concepts, updated timelines, and other controversies and cost blowouts. News articles go back as far as 2004.
2024
Mega Long Thanh airport first phase should be completed in Sept 2026: senior parliament official – [04/11/24]
Ministry proposes postponement of completion date of Long Thanh Int’l Airport – [10/10/24]
PM urges Long Thanh airport completion by 2025 – [24/09/24]
Military-owned construction firm wins $250M bid at Long Thanh airport – [14/09/24]
One year in, Long Thanh airport reaches key construction milestones – [11/09/24]
“After a year of construction, Long Thanh airport’s terminal, runway and control tower have made significant progress, with major structures beginning to take shape on the 1,000-hectare site.”
Two air traffic management projects at Long Thành International Airport to be completed ahead of schedule – [04/09/24]
It’s not the time to invest in second runway in Long Thành Airport: MoT – [04/09/24]
“Investing in ACV’s second runway at this stage is not appropriate in terms of time and investment location, according to phasing decided by the National Assembly (NA).”
In pictures: Over 6,000 personnel work on Long Thanh Airport over National Day holiday – [02/09/24]
“During the four-day National Day holiday, construction work on the Long Thanh International Airport is still maintained with over 6,000 personnel to ensure the progress of the airport.”
Long Thanh International Airport’s road to success paved with obstacles – [31/08/24]
“Long Thanh International Airport in Dong Nai province is expected to give southeast Vietnam an economic boost when it opens in 2026, but this opportunity will arrive with multiple challenges.”
Incheon Airport Group wins bid to manage Long Thanh Airport operations – [30/08/24]
“On August 30, the Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV) signed a contract with the Incheon Airport consortium for the operations management consultancy of Long Thanh International Airport.”
[Long Thanh Airport under construction. Photo: Hoang Anh.]
Long Thanh airport passenger terminal in southern Vietnam projected to finish by Aug 2026 – [30/08/24]
“The Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV), the investor of the Long Thanh International Airport project in Dong Nai Province, southern Vietnam, said on Thursday that it expects work on the airport’s passenger terminal to be completed by August 2026.”
[The VND35 trillion ($1.4 billion) passenger terminal of Long Thanh International Airport in Dong Nai Province, southern Vietnam is expected to be completed by August 2026. Photo: A Loc / Tuoi Tre.]
$138M tarmac proposed for 2nd phase of Long Thanh airport – [27/08/24]
Investor proposes building 2nd runway at Long Thanh airport in southern Vietnam earlier than planned – [26/08/24]
Construction consortium loses $250M Long Thanh airport bid over missed $13 fee – [26/08/24]
Long Thanh Airport to welcome first commercial flights in 2026 – [08/08/24]
“Long Thanh Airport, slated to be Vietnam’s largest once completed, is set to receive its first commercial flights in September 2026, according to the project’s main investor.”
Top legislator orders ensuring Long Thanh int’l airport progress – [08/08/24]
ACV proposes second runway at Long Thanh Internatinal Airport – [07/08/24]
“A proposal has been made to build a second runway at Long Thanh Airport and level the area for the T3 terminal to improve operational efficiency.”
Dong Nai proposes Long Thanh Airport land use for Bien Hoa-Vung Tau Expressway – [26/07/24]
“The Department of Natural Resources and Environment has proposed the People’s Committee of Dong Nai Province to use land from the T3 Terminal of Long Thanh Airport for the construction of Bien Hoa – Vung Tau expressway project.”
Soil designated for Long Thanh airport to be used for expressway construction – [24/07/24]
Water pipe installation for Vietnam’s Long Thanh int’l airport project is 95% complete – [16/07/24]
Long Thanh airport construction ahead of schedule – [21/06/24]
“After more than nine months of construction, the runway of Long Thanh airport in the southern Dong Nai Province is two months ahead of schedule, with technical operation expected to be completed by May 30 next year.”
The Ministry of Transport requires synchronous connection of the railway station at Long Thanh International Airport – [18/03/24]
“According to the plan, Long Thanh International Airport will be connected by a road system and two railway lines including: high-speed railway on the North-South axis and Thu Thiem – Long Thanh railway.”
Ministry asked for connectivity between railway stations, Long Thanh Airport – [14/03/24]
“The Ministry of Transport has just requested the Railway Project Management Board, the Airports Corporation of Vietnam, and the Transport Design Consultancy Corporation, to ensure the connection of the railway stations at Long Thanh Int’l Airport.”
$16B Long Thanh Airport’s lotus-inspired design takes form – [23/01/24]
“Long Thanh Airport in Dong Nai Province is shaping up, featuring a lotus-inspired design, all thanks to a team of 4,000 workers and 2,000 machines driving the construction progress.”
Urgent design of Long Thanh airport underground railway station – [15/01/24]
“Currently, Terminal 1 of the Long Thanh International Airport project (phase I) is being constructed by units, the first bidding package has 1,545 foundation piles. What is extremely unfortunate at this stage is that the underground railway station is not included in the design, and once the foundation piles have been installed, of course it will not be possible to combine the construction of an underground railway station.”
Long Thanh airport contractor cannot find Vietnamese employees at $16,300 salary – [15/01/24]
Deputy PM asks for detailed progress of Long Thành Airport component projects phase one – [10/01/24]
Work begins on $82mn roads to Vietnam’s mega-airport – [07/01/24]
Long Thanh airport relocation budget gets $39M more – [04/01/24]
2023
Long Thanh airport terminal set to be ready by 2026 – [27/12/23]
Long Thanh to be developed into airport city – [21/11/23]
“Project developing airport surroundings expected to cover 19,960-20,400 ha of land by 2030 and 23,840-24,000 ha by 2045.”
Relocation funding for Long Thanh airport residents short by $103M – [16/11/23]
NA deputies agree to extend land recovery period for Long Thanh airport – [11/11/23]
National Assembly’s resolution on Long Thanh International Airport project under scrutiny – [09/11/23]
“Legislators touched upon adjustments to some contents of a National Assembly (NA) resolution regarding the Long Thanh International Airport project, at a plenary session of the 15th legislature’s 6th sitting in Hanoi on November 9.”
Land hand-over for Long Thành International Airport completed – [06/11/23]
“ACV has received a full handover of 2,532 hectares of land from Đồng Nai Province, including 1,810 hectares in the project construction area and 722 hectares in the land reserve area.”
Lawmakers slam tardy Long Thanh airport construction – [22/10/23]
Deputy PM inspects construction of Long Thanh airport – [16/10/23]
Is Vietnam ready to build mega-airport projects? – [03/10/23]
“Despite its delays, the multibillion-dollar Long Thanh International Airport project could mark a shift in how Vietnamese state firms build vital infrastructure.”
VN seeks investors for airplane maintenance center at Long Thanh Airport – [20/09/23]
Design of $1.4B terminal at Long Thanh Airport revealed – [31/08/23]
“Long Thanh Airport’s terminal encompasses a ground floor and three additional levels, adorned with the imagery of lotus flowers that stretch across various areas.”
Work starts on Long Thanh International Airport – [31/08/23]
“Work on a passenger terminal at Long Thanh International Airport in southern Dong Nai province started on August 31. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh attended the groundbreaking ceremony for the work.”
Construction of Long Thanh, Tan Son Nhat airport terminals begins – [30/08/23]
Investor explains 2 consortiums’ failure in bid for Long Thanh airport terminal in southern Vietnam – [27/08/23]
Dong Nai hands over entire construction site for Long Thanh Airport Project – [26/08/23]
Dong Nai readies site for Vietnam’s biggest airport – [25/08/23]
Turkish-led consortium wins Long Thanh airport terminal bid – [24/08/23]
“Vietur, a consortium led by Turkey’s IC Istas, has won the bid for building the VND35.9-trillion (US$1.5 billion) terminal for Long Thanh International Airport.
The Airports Corporation of Vietnam, which is developing the airport, has instructed Vietur to start construction by the end of this month and complete it by November 2026.
Vietur comprises 10 companies, including IC Istas (a unit of IC Holdings) and Vietnamese private companies such as Ricons, Newtecons and Sol E&C. State-owned Vinaconex and Construction Corporation No.1 are also in the consortium.”
Nearly US$1.5 bln bidding package of Long Thanh Airport petition to be handled – [22/08/23]
No violations in Long Thanh airport terminal bidding: ACV – [09/08/23]
Deputy PM demands scrutiny over Long Thanh Airport bid – [07/08/23]
“The Hoa Lu consortium, spearheaded by Coteccons, has lodged a complaint against the Vietur consortium over a VND35 trillion ($1.46 billion) package at Long Thanh International Airport, citing violations of bidding regulations. Responding to the petition, Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha has ordered a meticulous review of the petition.”
Vietnamese firm-led consortium joining Long Thanh airport terminal bidding denounces foreign consortium for poor ability – [06/08/23]
“The Hoa Lu consortium led by Vietnamese construction firm Coteccons has denounced the Vietur consortium led by Turkey’s IC Holdings for allegedly violating bidding regulations and failing to meet requirements of a tender package worth over VND35.2 trillion (US$1.5 billion) to construct the passenger terminal at Long Thanh International Airport in southern Dong Nai Province.”
Coteccons-led consortium complain of Long Thanh terminal bidding results – [06/08/23]
Start work on Long Thanh airport terminal this month: PM – [06/08/23]
“Selection of the contractor to build the new Long Thanh International Airport’s first terminal should be completed soon so that work can begin this month, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has ordered.”
Chinese contractor loses $1.5B bid for Long Thanh airport terminal – [02/08/23]
“Chinese consortium CHEC-BCEG-Vietnam Contractors and Vietnamese consortium Hoa Lu have lost in a bidding for the construction of a terminal at Long Thanh International Airport in southern Vietnam.”
Land revocation for Long Thanh Airport set to complete in 2024 – [29/07/23]
Construction of terminal at Long Thanh int’l airport to begin in August – [06/07/23]
“Work on a passenger terminal at Long Thanh International Airport in southern Dong Nai province is scheduled to start in August, the Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV) announced at a working session on July 6 with the provincial People’s Committee.”
Coteccons-led venture promises to complete Long Thanh terminal in three years – [06/07/23]
Three consortiums join Long Thanh airport terminal bidding – [04/07/23]
Deputy PM urges early handover of clean land for Long Thanh airport’s sub-projects – [08/06/23]
“Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha has requested the Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV) to closely coordinate with the People’s Committee of the southern province of Dong Nai to accelerate ground clearance work and early hand over clean land for construction of sub-projects of Long Thanh international airport.”
Southern province wants 1,800 Long Thanh airport relocation slots for expressway project – [05/06/23]
Expected look for Long Thanh Airport – [21/05/23]
“Long Thanh, Vietnam’s largest airport, will serve 25 million passengers and 1.2 million tons of cargo a year after completing phase one of construction in 2026.”
Authorities to inspect dust mitigation measures at Long Thanh airport – [19/05/23]
Vietnam still looking for builder of biggest airport to be – [05/05/23]
Tender for Long Thanh airport terminal extended due to tight deadline – [02/05/23]
Province promises to give land for Vietnam’s biggest airport over summer – [27/04/23]
Long Thanh Airport investor fined for dust pollution – [25/04/23]
Dong Nai farmers lose harvest due to Long Thanh Airport red dust – [21/04/21]
Individuals to be held accountable for Long Thanh airport delay – [18/04/23]
Deputy PM urges expediting Long Thanh Airport project – [12/04/23]
“Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha on April 11 emphasised the importance of selecting a reputable and capable contractor for the construction of the passenger terminal of Long Thanh International Airport.”
A few households steadfastly refuse relocation from Long Thanh airport construction site in southern Vietnam – [09/04/23]
“Thousands of households have relocated and resettled for the big-ticket Long Thanh International Airport project in Dong Nai Province, a neighbor of Ho Chi Minh City, but a few are standing firm.”
Long Thanh airport project gets 10 reservoirs to keep dust away – [06/04/23]
Contractors asked to reduce dust infiltration from Long Thanh Airport project – [04/04/23]
“Amid an infiltration of red basalt soil dust from the Long Thanh Airport project causing pollution and affecting residential areas, Deputy Minister of Transport Le Anh Tuan has just required the contractors to reduce dust infiltration.”
Vietnam’s largest airport project enlists firefighter trucks to reduce dust – [02/04/23]
Red soil dust from Long Thanh Airport blankets homes, puts health at risk – [01/04/23]
Vietnam’s Long Thanh int’l airport project probably behind schedule again – [28/03/23]
Deputy PM inspects Long Thanh Airport’s progress – [13/03/23]
“This afternoon, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha led a Government delegation to check the progress of the Long Thanh International Airport Project and transportation projects connecting the airport.”
Long Thanh International Airport project checked owing to dust pollution – [07/03/23]
Investor proposes delaying planned completion of Vietnam’s Long Thanh airport project component – [05/03/23]
Long Thanh airport land must be cleared now: deputy PM – [21/02/23]
Task force formed to speed up Long Thanh International Airport project – [16/02/23]
New bidding launched to find Long Thanh airport builder – [03/02/23]
“The investor of the Long Thanh Airport project has launched a second bidding invitation to find a contractor ready to build the facility’s passenger terminal after a false start last year.”
Units managing construction of Vietnam’s largest airport to be rebuked for failing to find builder – [30/01/23]
Problems must be settled for Long Thanh airport construction: PM – [29/01/23]
Workers still on shift for Long Thanh airport construction during Tet – [19/01/23]
“Contractors will still deploy over 2,000 machines, equipment, engineers and workers for the construction of Long Thanh international airport during the upcoming Lunar New Year (Tet) festival, reported the project’s management board on January 18.”
ACC raises possible issues with Long Thanh airport project – [16/01/23]
2022
Long Thanh airport construction causes excessive air pollution – [31/12/22]
Vietnam lacks builder for new airport – [22/12/22]
Bid package of VND35.23 trillion to build Long Thanh airport terminal canceled – [19/12/22]
“According to ACV, the reason for cancellation is that all bids do not meet the requirements of the bidding documents, based on Clause 1, Article 17 of the Bidding Law. Currently, ACV has notified contractors to come to ACV’s office to receive back the financial proposal and release the bid security following the law on bidding. ACV also said that it would organize a rebidding for this bid package.”
Vietnam’s biggest airport in the making still stuck at site clearance – [16/10/22]
“Construction of Vietnam’s biggest airport to be has slowed down with 70 ha of land yet to be transferred to contractors.”
NA leader calls for ground clearance at Long Thành Int’l Airport to be accelerated – [03/10/22]
NA Chairman checks construction progress of Long Thanh Airport project – [02/10/22]
Construction starts on Long Thanh airport’s flight management works – [29/09/22]
Long Thanh airport set to serve first flight in September 2025 – [12/09/22]
Work to start on major routes to Long Thanh airport in December – [30/08/22]
For some, life stagnates as new airport takes off – [13/08/22]
“Around 100 families are staying at the construction site for the Long Thanh International Airport as they await relocation, having to live with the noise, the dust and occasional flooding.”
Work on Long Thanh airport’s terminal to start in October – [05/08/22]
Construction of Long Thanh Airport’s runways, taxiways to be started in December – [04/08/22]
Ministry urges Đồng Nai Province to complete roads leading to Long Thành airport – [25/07/22]
Three operation control centres for Long Thanh Airport get green light – [20/07/22]
Resettlement project of Vietnam’s biggest airport to-be left abandoned – [18/07/22]
“Works to serve residents who have been relocated to build Long Thanh airport remain unfinished due to building material price hikes.”
Progress of Long Thanh int’l airport project must be ensured: Deputy PM – [16/07/22]
“Deputy Prime Minister Le Van Thanh chaired a meeting of the Government’s Steering Committee for the implementation of Long Thanh International Airport project on July 16, during which he asked for more efforts to ensure the project’s progress.”
Long Thành airport land acquisition disbursal tops 68 per cent – [06/07/22]
Deputy Minister of Transport inspects progress of Long Thanh Int’l Airport – [05/07/22]
“According to ACV’s report, ground leveling with a volume of more than 12.9 million m3 of sandy soil has been completed. Engineering designs of runways, passenger terminals, parking areas along with other supporting facilities have been implemented under the directions of Deputy Prime Minister Le Van Thanh.”
No more time for delays to Long Thành Airport – [15/06/22]
Nearly 120 million USD to be used to build 4 aircraft maintenance workshops at Long Thanh airport – [03/05/22]
Construction of Vietnam’s biggest airport reaches passenger terminal phase – [30/03/22]
“After more than a month of leveling ground for the Long Thanh airport project, contractors have progressed on to the passenger terminal.”
Light rail transit to link HCMC urban area with new airport – [30/03/22]
Construction of Long Thanh int’l airport accelerated – [30/03/22]
Minister orders daily review of Long Thanh airport progress – [21/03/22]
1,000 join forces to level ground for Vietnam’s biggest airport to-be – [18/03/22]
“More than 1,000 workers and engineers are operating 600 vehicles and machines to level ground and build a drainage system for Long Thanh International Airport.”
Tardy Đồng Nai urged to hand over remaining land soon for Long Thành airport – [16/03/22]
First phase of Long Thanh Airport to be ready in September 2025 – [23/02/22]
Work on Long Thanh airport stalls, PM wonders if deadline will be met – [14/02/22]
Many limitations persist in megaproject Long Thành Airport: PM – [07/02/22]
PM dissatisfied with Long Thanh airport progress – [06/02/22]
Airports operator promises to finish Long Thanh airport 6 months early – [25/01/22]
Southern province to spend $857 mln on three highways linking Long Thanh airport – [02/01/22]
2021
Dong Nai seeks $180 mln for Long Thanh Airport road link – [28/11/21]
Lateness in Long Thanh International Airport construction due to land clearance – [22/11/21]
Vietnam aims to put Long Thanh Airport into service by 2025 – [02/11/21]
Work on major components at Long Thanh Airport to begin in 2022 – [14/10/21]
Đồng Nai asked to speed up ground clearance for Long Thành airport project – [15/09/21]
Long Thanh airport’s first phase expected to become operational in late 2025 – [06/09/21]
Construction of Long Thanh Airport’s terminal, runway slated for Q1 2022 – [01/07/21]
“The construction of a passenger terminal and a runway of the Long Thanh International Airport in the southern province of Dong Nai will begin in the first quarter of 2022 once ground clearance is completed, according to the Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV).”
HCMC proposes metro link to new mega airport – [18/06/21]
“HCMC has proposed a metro line is extended to connect the Tan Son Nhat airport with the new Long Thanh International Airport.”
Southern province to build roads to Long Thanh Airport – [24/05/21]
“Dong Nai Province has approved plans to build two new roads to Long Thanh International Airport and upgrade two others at a cost of VND7.1 trillion ($308 million).”
Long Thanh Airport – a magnet for real estate investment in HCM City’s east – [20/03/21]
Vietnam Airlines to invest $430 mln to offer ground services at Long Thanh airport – [25/02/21]
More than $217 million compensated to locals in Long Thành airport project site – [04/02/21]
MoT establish taskforce to support Long Thanh International Airport – [02/02/21]
Dong Nai plans $294 mln to build more roads connecting to Long Thanh Airport – [19/01/21]
Long Thanh International Airport hikes land prices in surroundings – [18/01/21]
Work begins on Long Thanh Airport – [05/01/21]
“The $4.6 billion first phase of the airport in Dong Nai Province is set to be completed by 2025 when it will be able to handle 25 million passengers and 1.2 million tons of cargo a year.”
Southern province plans $69 mln road expansion to boost new airport links – [03/01/21]
2020
ACV to invest more than $4.3 billion in Long Thanh Int’l Airport – [20/12/20]
Airport operator expected to profit from new airport investment – [08/12/20]
Civil aviation agency could empty cash reserves for new airport – [01/12/20]
“The Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV) might have to use up five years of cash reserves for building the Long Thanh International Airport.”
Construction of Long Thanh Airport to begin next month – [16/11/20]
“The Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV) plans to begin construction of the Long Thanh International Airport in December and complete it by 2025.”
Government greenlights Long Thanh International Airport – [13/11/20]
Long Thanh property market expects to take off – [07/11/20]
“The development of Long Thanh International Airport is expected to directly affect the real estate market in the southern province of Dong Nai and neighbouring areas.”
Police establish special unit to ensure security for mega airport project in southern Vietnam – [03/11/20]
Dong Nai hands over 2,600 hectares for Long Thanh airport construction – [21/10/20]
“It includes 1,800 hectares required for the first phase of the airport, whose construction is scheduled to begin in early 2021, while the rest is for the second phase.”
Finance ministry concerned about costly investment in Long Thanh airport – [17/10/20]
New $200 mln roads proposed for Long Thanh Airport – [08/10/20]
Long Thanh Airport price tag down $111 mln after assessment – [08/10/20]
Dong Nai basically completes ground clearance for first phase of Long Thanh airport – [06/10/20]
“The southern province of Dong Nai has basically completed ground clearance work to the first phase of Long Thanh International Airport, according to the provincial People’s Committee.”
Dong Nai urged to hand over ‘clean land’ for Long Thanh Airport – [01/08/20]
Construction plan of Long Thanh airport to be submitted to prime minister this month – [02/06/20]
Long Thanh airport: 17 families receive $3 million compensation – [18/05/20]
13,800 workers needed to build, operate Long Thanh Airport – [06/05/20]
Vietnam’s megaairport project moves forward as compensation plan approved – [20/04/20]
“The administration in the southern Vietnamese province of Dong Nai has approved a plan to compensate residents affected by the site clearance of an over-3,000-hectare area for the construction of a megaairport.”
Work on Long Thanh Airport can begin in May 2021: ACV – [16/04/20]
“Construction of the Long Thanh International Airport in the southern province of Dong Nai can start May 2021 and finish late 2025, Airports Corporation of Vietnam said.”
PM asks Đồng Nai to expedite site clearance for Long Thành International Airport – [08/04/20]
Faster pace required for Long Thanh airport plan – [17/03/20]
Assessment of Long Thanh airport’s feasibility study must be done by March – [04/02/20]
2019
Swedish SEK proposed a commercial loan of over US$1 billion for the construction of Long Thanh airport – [29/11/19]
Resolution on Long Thanh International Airport approved – [27/11/19]
Lawmakers approve $4.8 billion first phase of Long Thanh airport – [26/11/19]
Experts want ACV as Long Thanh airport builder – [24/11/19]
Infographic: How Long Thanh airport will be built – [18/11/19]
NA concerned over Long Thanh airport developer’s financial wherewithal – [13/11/19]
ACV proposed as investor in Long Thanh airport – [15/10/19]
ACV should be Long Thanh airport investor: government – [12/11/19]
Long haul flights to shift from Tan Son Nhat to Long Thanh airport [05/08/19]
Transport ministry prefers Vietnamese aviation firm as Long Thanh Airport investor – [04/08/19]
Long Thanh Airport to be equipped with modern technologies [01/08/19]
Feasibility study for Long Thanh airport project completed [16/07/19]
Dong Nai removes entire commune to make room for Long Thanh Airport [7/6/19]
Minister asks for feasibility study of Long Thanh airport by late May [21/3/19]
Minister of Transport Nguyen Van The has asked the consultancy agencies of Long Thanh international airport to complete the project’s feasibility study by May 30, so the ministry can consider and verify it before submitting to the Government in early June.
Long Thanh airport construction set for 2020 start [14/2/19]
Deputy Prime Minister Trinh Dinh Dung has urged agencies to work together closely to ensure that construction of Long Thanh International Airport in the southern province of Dong Nai will begin next year.
Vietnamese firm seeks main investor status in Long Thanh airport [11/2/19]
The Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV) desires to be the main investor in the Long Thanh International Airport.
Work on Long Thanh Airport project to start by end-2020 [1/1/19]
In the first phase, which is slated for completion by 2025, the airport will have one runway and one passenger terminal able to handle 25 million passengers and 1.2 million tons of cargo per year. The project costs an estimated VND336.6 trillion, or US$16.03 billion, with VND114.5 trillion for the first phase.
2018
Vietnam may start building its biggest airport in 2020 [20/11/18]
Dong Nai to hand over land for Long Thanh airport [14/11/18]
Vietnam Airlines is the only domestic airline operating Long Thanh airport? [23/10/18]
Site clearance for Long Thành International Airport behind schedule [23/10/18]
The land clearance project, handled by the provincial People’s Committee, has lagged behind schedule due to the People’s Committee’s lack of experience in carrying out feasibility study reports on land clearance.
Vietnam urged to get construction of new mega-airport off the ground [30/3/18]
Experts say the construction cost of Long Thanh Airport could double every five years.
Long Thanh airport project will cost much more if delayed [29/3/18]
Site clearance and funding are among the issues that might cause delays in the big-ticket Long Thanh International Airport project in Dong Nai Province, which will in turn send its cost soaring, heard a seminar in HCMC on March 28.
2017
Land clearance for Long Thanh airport project sped up [4/12/17]
Long Thanh Airport site clearance costs an estimated US$1 billion [27/10/17]
The costs of site clearance and compensation for Long Thanh Airport are estimated at VND23 trillion (US$1 billion), according to a feasibility report presented to the National Assembly by the Ministry of Transport (MOT).
Winning designs of Long Thanh airport honoured 22/9/17]
Dong Nai halts licensing of construction around Long Thanh airport [23/8/17]
The People’s Committee of Dong Nai province has suspended the licensing of construction projects in residential areas around the planned Long Thanh International Airport in an effort to prevent speculation and higher land prices.
Real estate booms around Long Thanh Airport project [2/8/17]
Middlemen and real estate brokers are making false offers for houses and lands around Long Thanh Airport project.
Lotus-inspired design chosen for Long Thanh int’l airport [20/7/17]
2016
Design for airport terminal open for public comment [1/12/16]
The display open for public comment will take place at the Viet Nam Art and Culture Exhibition Centre in Ha Noi from November 28 to December 12, and in Da Nang from December 16 to 25. It will be held in Dong Nai from December 28 to January 11, and in HCM City from January 13 to 23.
[Design concept LT-03.]
Deputy PM urges construction on Vietnam’s new $16bn airport to begin by 2019 [12/7/16]
[Deputy Prime Minister Trinh Dinh Dung (2nd L) reviews the planning map of Long Thanh International Airport.]
Vietnam delays work on largest airport until 2021: report [5/7/16]
“State-owned Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV) has confirmed that complex preparatory work will delay the construction of the country’s US$15.8 billion airport near Ho Chi Minh City.”
Long Thanh airport project likely years behind schedule [20/01/16]
2015
Long Thanh Airport’s feasibility study may cost $35.1 million [15/09/15]
No-bid contract proposal for Long Thanh airport design draws fire [2/9/15]
Airports Corporation of Vietnam’s (ACV) proposal to award a no-bid feasibility study and design consulting contract for a new international airport in Long Thanh, Dong Nai Province has encountered criticism.
Architects call for contest to find design for Vietnam’s multibillion-dollar airport [30/8/15]
The request from the Vietnam Association of Architects came after Airports Corporation of Vietnam, owner of the Long Thanh Airport project, revealed its plan to let a yet-to-be-announced consultant work on both the feasibility study and the design.
National Assembly ratifies construction of $16bn airport in southern Vietnam [25/6/15]
The proposed Long Thanh International Airport received the green light from the law-making National Assembly, which passed a resolution for the project during a National Assembly meeting in Hanoi on June 25, 2015.
Vietnam makes back-to-back cuts to largest airport project, but budget concerns remain [27/2/15]
2014
Vietnam transport ministry gives inconsistent statements about airport creditor [24/10/14]
The transport ministry said that French airport operator ADPM wants to offer a loan of US$2 billion for the proposed airport in Dong Nai, contradicting its earlier statement that another French firm, ADPI, was the potential investor.
amchamvietnam.com/national-assembly-to-consider-long-thanh-airport-project/
National Assembly to consider Long Thanh Airport Report [19/10/14]
[Map of Long Thanh international Airport in Dong Nai Province.]
Ho Chi Minh City requests railway link to new airport [8/10/14]
Vietnam airport plan returned for clarifications [28/3/14]
The Ministry of Planning and Investment has returned a proposal to build a controversial international airport near Ho Chi Minh City saying it is too vague and lacks certain details.
Over 3,300 households displaced for airport project [21/03/14]
Over 5,300 families will be affected by the project, with 3,300 households to be displaced, over 1,500 tombs removed, and five schools and three government offices relocated. Compensation and resettlement costs estimated at VND20.7 trillion, or US$1 billion.
$975.5 mln needed for site clearance in airport project [14/3/14]
2011
New airport in Dong Nai expected to open by 2020 [10/03/11]
2010
Spanish firm to build three airports [22/1/10]
Spanish airport builder Garuda Group signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the municipal People’s Committee to undertake the Long Thanh airport feasibility.
2005
The Long Thanh International Airport project approved [26/07/05]
The new airport will have four runways of 4000 metres length and 60 metres width, capable of accommodating the Airbus A380. The airport will be designed to handle 100 million passengers and 5 million tons of cargo per year, and is scheduled to be completed in 2011.
2004
Southern province to see new airport [26/06/04]
Derek says
Hello James,
I’m British and an airport design/contruction consultant. I have been following the developments of this airport and would be keen to work on the project, once it commences. I have worked internationally on all building works apsects of airports Landside, but prefer to become involved with the Airside civil works which I now specialise in both to US and European standards.
Would you happen to know when the nomination will take place for the Airside design consultant?
James Clark says
Hi Derek,
at this point there isn’t any news, but I am going to keep the news section updated when major news announcements are made.
Good luck!
James