Long Thanh International Airport (under construction)

Long Thanh International Airport (VN-0018) in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, is currently under construction and not yet operational for commercial flights. Therefore, there are no traveler reviews or experiences available. The airport is slated to begin technical flights on December 19, 2025, with commercial operations targeted for June 2026. Once open, it is expected to become Vietnam's largest airport and a major international hub, aiming to relieve severe congestion at the existing Tan Son Nhat International Airport.

Anticipated Strengths and Planned Features:

• Significant Capacity: Designed to eventually handle up to 100 million passengers and 5 million tonnes of cargo annually, with the first phase targeting 25 million passengers and 1.2 million tonnes of cargo.
• Modern Infrastructure: The first phase includes a new passenger terminal building (nearing completion), one 4,000-meter runway (already completed), and a second runway.
• Enhanced Connectivity: Aims for seamless integration with national expressways and railway networks, with dedicated airport connection roads already completed.
• International Hub Status: Expected to become the primary hub for long-haul international flights from Europe, the Americas, and other regions, with Vietnam Airlines and VietJet Air anchoring operations. Major cargo carriers like FedEx and UPS have also expressed interest.
• State-of-the-Art Facilities: Construction includes advanced MEPF systems (mechanical, electrical, plumbing, fire protection), ICT and terminal equipment, passenger boarding bridges, and a fuel storage system.

Known Challenges during Construction:

• Project Delays: The airport project has encountered numerous delays, initially planned for completion in 2025 but revised to the first half or end of 2026 for full commercial operation.
• Land Acquisition Issues: Lengthy land acquisition processes have been a significant challenge, leading to delays and even legal issues involving officials.
• Bidding Difficulties: Problems with the bidding rounds for construction contracts have also contributed to the extended timeline.

Long Thanh International Airport represents a critical infrastructure investment for Vietnam, designed to transform the country's aviation landscape and serve as a major gateway to Southeast Asia. While currently undergoing final construction and testing, its future operational success will depend on the smooth transition of flights and effective management of its vast capacity.