Long Thanh International Airport is one of Vietnam's key infrastructure projects, expected to become a driving force for economic growth in the southern region and elevate the nation's aviation status.

With the largest scale in the country and a target capacity of 100 million passengers annually upon completion, this project not only addresses the overload at Tan Son Nhat Airport but also opens opportunities for economic, tourism, and logistics development.

In this article, we will explore Long Thanh Airport in detail—from its location, planning, and construction progress to its potential future impacts.

Where Is Long Thanh Airport Located?

Long Thanh International Airport is situated in Long Thanh District, Dong Nai Province, approximately 40 km east of Ho Chi Minh City and 43 km from Tan Son Nhat Airport.

This strategic location offers convenient connectivity to major transportation routes such as the Ho Chi Minh City - Long Thanh - Dau Giay Expressway, National Highway 51, and key provincial roads.

According to the plan, the airport spans 5,000 hectares across six communes: Long An, Binh Son, Cam Duong, Suoi Trau, Bau Can, and Long Phuoc.

Thanks to its proximity to major economic hubs like Ho Chi Minh City, Bien Hoa, and Vung Tau, Long Thanh Airport is regarded as a “golden gateway” linking Vietnam to Southeast Asia and the world.

Long Thanh Airport Planning: Vision to 2030 and Beyond

The Long Thanh Airport project is divided into three phases with an initial investment of up to 16 billion USD:

Phase 1 (2021-2025): Construction of one runway (4,000 m x 75 m), one passenger terminal with a capacity of 25 million passengers per year, and 1.2 million tons of cargo annually. The cost for this phase is approximately 4.664 billion USD (equivalent to 109,111 billion VND). This phase is currently under intensive development, aiming for completion by the end of 2025.
Phase 2 (2025-2030): Addition of one more runway and terminal, increasing capacity to 50 million passengers per year.
Phase 3 (post-2030): Completion of four runways and four terminals, reaching a maximum capacity of 100 million passengers per year, making it one of the largest airports in the region.
Long Thanh Airport is designed to meet the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) 4F standards, capable of accommodating large aircraft like the Boeing 747-8 or Airbus A380.
The passenger terminal, designed by South Korea’s Heerim Architects & Planners, draws inspiration from the lotus flower—Vietnam’s cultural symbol.

Additionally, an extra 20,000 hectares around the airport are planned for supporting facilities such as industrial zones, logistics hubs, resettlement areas, commercial zones, and services, forming a modern “airport city.”

Construction Progress of Long Thanh Airport as of March 2025

As of now (March 2025), the Long Thanh Airport project has achieved several significant milestones:

Land Clearance Phase: Dong Nai Province has handed over nearly 2,600 hectares of land to the project owner (Airports Corporation of Vietnam - ACV), essentially completing land clearance by the end of 2024. Resettlement areas like Loc An - Binh Son have also been built to support affected residents.

Passenger Terminal: Dubbed the “heart” of the airport, Terminal T1 has completed its steel roof structure and is in the process of installing glass, with the rough construction expected to finish by July 2025—five months ahead of schedule.

Runway and Infrastructure: The first runway has reached 36% completion and is projected to be finished by November 2025. ACV has also proposed adding a second runway in Phase 1, thanks to savings of nearly 4,000 billion VND from bidding processes.

Supporting Facilities: The 123-meter air traffic control tower (the “brain” of the airport) began construction in September 2022, while connecting roads T1 and T2 are taking shape, expected to open to traffic by late 2025.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has conducted multiple site inspections and urged all involved parties to accelerate progress, ensuring Phase 1 is completed before December 31, 2025, for official operations in early 2026.

He emphasized, “Those who cannot deliver must step aside,” reflecting the government’s strong determination.

Challenges and Solutions

Despite significant progress, the project faces several challenges:

Dust Pollution: During land leveling, dust from the site has affected nearby residential areas. ACV was fined 270 million VND and has deployed 10 water reservoirs to mitigate the issue.

Imported Equipment: Specialized equipment like scanners and conveyor belts, sourced from abroad, has created time pressures. ACV is coordinating with contractors to ensure delivery by early 2025.

Funding: The massive investment requires close collaboration between ACV and banks like Vietcombank, Vietinbank, and BIDV, with a 1.8 billion USD loan agreement signed in 2024.

Economic and Social Impacts of Long Thanh Airport

Once operational, Long Thanh Airport is expected to bring numerous benefits:

Relieving Tan Son Nhat: Currently, Tan Son Nhat is overloaded by 5-10 million passengers annually beyond its 25-million capacity.

Boosting the Economy: VinaCapital forecasts that the project will contribute to a 6.5% GDP growth for Vietnam in 2025, driven by investments in real estate, industry, and tourism.

Regional Development: Dong Nai aims to train 4,800 local workers for airport jobs by 2030 while developing a free trade zone to maximize potential.

Conclusion

Long Thanh International Airport is more than just a transportation project—it’s a symbol of Vietnam’s growth and global integration.

With rapid construction progress and strong government commitment, the project promises to meet its end-of-2025 deadline, ushering in a new era for aviation and the southern economy. If you’re interested in more detailed updates on Long Thanh Airport, stay tuned with us!

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Where Is Long Thanh Airport Located? Long Thanh Airport: Strategic Vision and Latest Progress