Vietnam’s most ambitious infrastructure initiative—Long Thanh International Airport—is accelerating into its final phase of construction, targeting a key operational milestone in December. Located roughly 40 kilometers east of Ho Chi Minh City in Dong Nai province, the mega-project aims to revolutionize air travel across Southeast Asia while alleviating severe pressure on the overcrowded Tan Son Nhat International Airport.

$13+ Billion

Total Projected Cost

25 Million

Phase 1 Passengers / Year

1.2 Million Tonnes

Phase 1 Cargo / Year

100 Million

Final Annual Capacity

Key Operational Targets & Transition Plan

Following extensive construction work involving thousands of engineers and construction crews, the facility is gearing up for full operational readiness. The Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV) and the Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV) have structured a phased transition roadmap to shift traffic smoothly without disrupting global schedules:

December 2026 Commercial Launch

The initial phase will kick off with official commercial operations, targeting long-haul international flights and air cargo traffic.

Phase 1 Capacity

Designed to accommodate 25 million passengers and 1.2 million tonnes of cargo annually during its first operational phase.

Traffic Shift Roadmap

By late 2027, over 90% of long-haul international traffic servicing the Ho Chi Minh City region will transition to Long Thanh, while Tan Son Nhat will retain shorter regional routes and domestic services.

Phased Transition Timeline

Phase Timeline Target Operations
1Phase 1 Launch Dec 2026 – Mar 2027 Long-haul international passenger & all air cargo flights
2Phase 2 Expansion Mar 2027 – Oct 2027 Flights to Europe, Americas, Middle East, and Oceania
3Phase 3 Consolidation Oct 2027 onwards Over 90% of international routes shifted to Long Thanh

Transforming Southeast Asia’s Transit Landscape

With a total projected cost exceeding $13 billion across all build phases, Long Thanh is designed to compete directly with regional aviation heavyweights like Singapore Changi, Bangkok Suvarnabhumi, and Kuala Lumpur International Airport. Upon total completion, the facility will feature four runways and multiple passenger terminals, stretching its annual handling capacity to 100 million passengers.

In addition to terminal facilities and airfield infrastructure, local authorities are expediting crucial expressway connections and surrounding transit corridors to handle the expected passenger movement between the airport and downtown Ho Chi Minh City.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Long Thanh International Airport is targeting the start of official commercial operations in December 2026, beginning with long-haul international flights and air cargo traffic.

The airport is located in Dong Nai province, roughly 40 kilometers east of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

The mega-project aims to revolutionize air travel across Southeast Asia and alleviate severe pressure on the overcrowded Tan Son Nhat International Airport, which currently serves the Ho Chi Minh City region.

During its first operational phase, the airport is designed to accommodate 25 million passengers and 1.2 million tonnes of cargo annually.

Upon total completion, Long Thanh will feature four runways and multiple passenger terminals, with an annual handling capacity of 100 million passengers.

The total projected cost of the project exceeds $13 billion across all build phases.

Phase 1 (Dec 2026 – Mar 2027) covers long-haul international passenger and all air cargo flights. Phase 2 (Mar 2027 – Oct 2027) adds flights to Europe, the Americas, the Middle East and Oceania. Phase 3 (Oct 2027 onwards) shifts over 90% of international routes to Long Thanh.

No. Under the transition roadmap, Tan Son Nhat will retain shorter regional routes and domestic services, while over 90% of long-haul international traffic moves to Long Thanh by late 2027.

Long Thanh is designed to compete directly with regional aviation heavyweights such as Singapore Changi, Bangkok Suvarnabhumi and Kuala Lumpur International Airport.

Local authorities are expediting expressway connections and surrounding transit corridors to handle the expected passenger movement between the airport and downtown Ho Chi Minh City.