Long Thanh International Airport: Vietnam’s $4.6 Billion Game-Changer Set for Mid-2026 Launch
Vietnam is fervently working towards the completion of the first phase of the Long Thanh International Airport, a colossal $4.6 billion infrastructure project set to revolutionize Southeast Asian aviation upon its opening in mid-2026. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has tasked the Airports Corporation of Vietnam with the project’s completion by June 2026, holding officials accountable for its progress, quality, and safety.
The airport, situated approximately 40 kilometers east of Ho Chi Minh City in Dong Nai Province, will in its first phase accommodate 25 million passengers and 1.2 million tons of cargo annually. The facility celebrated a significant milestone towards full commercial operations with its first technical flight on December 19, 2025.
Upon completion of all three development phases, Long Thanh will boast a capacity of 100 million passengers and five million tons of cargo per year. This will place it among the largest airports in Southeast Asia. The airport is strategically designed to alleviate congestion at Ho Chi Minh City’s overcrowded Tan Son Nhat International Airport. It will primarily cater to long-haul international flights from Europe, India, the Middle East, and North America.
- Vietnam Airlines and VietJet Air are expected to anchor operations at the new hub.
- VietJet is planning to establish a maintenance, repair, and overhaul facility.
- The project signifies Vietnam’s most expensive infrastructure undertaking to date.
- It is anticipated to significantly boost tourism and foreign direct investment in the southern region.