A behemoth of steel and concrete rises before you. This is Long Thanh International Airport. Imagine a future where this sprawling complex hums with activity.
Long Thanh International Airport is not just an airport. It’s a symbol of Vietnam’s ambition a testament to its growing global presence. This massive project aims to alleviate the pressure on the much older Tan Son Nhat International Airport. Tan Son Nhat has been the only international airport serving the Ho Chi Minh City metropolitan area. It’s simply bursting at the seams.
The construction of Long Thanh is a monumental undertaking. It began in January 2021. The initial phase alone cost around US$4.6 billion. This first phase includes one terminal and a single 4000 meter runway. It’s expected to be finished in the first half of 2026. The project’s full completion however is scheduled for 2035. At that point it will boast four terminals four runways and an annual capacity exceeding 100 million passengers. This will make it not only Vietnam’s largest airport but one of the largest in the world.
The design is striking. The terminals are shaped like lotus flowers Vietnam’s national flower. This beautiful design was chosen by the Ministry of Transport after extensive public feedback. This wasn’t just a matter of aesthetics. The design needed to be functional too. It had to meet the needs of millions of passengers every year.
Getting to Long Thanh from the city center is crucial. The airport will be connected via road and rail. The Ho Chi Minh City-Long Thanh-Dau Giay Expressway already exists. Other highways and a light rail line are under construction. A high-speed rail link is even planned. This will connect Long Thanh to Ho Chi Minh City’s Thu Thiem area. This ensures a smooth and efficient journey for passengers.
However the construction hasn’t been without its challenges. The airport is being built on a forested area. Environmental concerns have been raised. Red dust from the construction has caused problems for local farmers. The Airports Corporation of Vietnam ACV has pledged to mitigate these issues. They have committed to maintaining ample greenery and implementing dust control measures.
When Long Thanh opens it will be more than just a new airport. It will signify Vietnam’s growth and its readiness to take its place on the world stage. It’s a place where the future of travel is being built one runway one terminal one lotus flower at a time.