Recent legal challenges have pushed the operational deadline of Long Thanh International Airport to the end of 2026, instead of the previously scheduled June 2026. However, even this revised timeline appears optimistic, as the project’s human resources and materials are both in short supply.
As the Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV) moves to shift 90% international traffic to Long Thanh International Airport by 2027, the project itself is facing renewed uncertainty over whether it can be ready.
A significant number of workers have left
In a recent report to the government, the Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV), the project owners, noted that difficulties in human resources are increasing the risk of delays for the country’s largest aviation project.
According to ACV, a significant number of engineers and workers have left Component Project 3—which includes the passenger terminal and runways—to join other projects. As of mid-April, the total workforce stood at approximately 8,457, meeting only 60% of the required 14,000 workers.
ACV said labour supply is being heavily competed for by other major infrastructure projects in the region, such as the Bien Hoa–Vung Tau Expressway and the expansion of the Ho Chi Minh City–Long Thanh Expressway, as well as other components within the airport project itself.
However, a contractor said payment bottlenecks from the project owner are the main reason many workers have left. According to the previous report, the passenger terminal was around 80% complete, while payments had reached only about 40%.
Besides labour shortages, fluctuations in fuel and material prices are significantly impacting progress. According to ACV, asphalt concrete prices have surged by 40–50%, while equipment operating costs have spiked as fuel prices nearly doubled. These financial pressures have forced some contractors to operate at a loss per shift, leading to a “wait-and-see” approach for more stable supplies or policy adjustments.
90% of international flights will be operated at Long Thanh Airport by 2027
At the same time, the Airports Corporation of Vietnam also announced the three-phase plan to shift international flights from Tan Son Nhat International Airport.
In the first phase, from the start of commercial operations to late March 2027, all long-haul international flights will be shifted from Tan Son Nhat International Airport to Long Thanh International Airport, accounting for around 19% of Ho Chi Minh City’s international traffic.
In the second phase, from March 2027 to the end of 2030, all international flights – except those under 1,000 km and operated by Vietnamese carriers – will be relocated to Long Thanh. Under this plan, the new airport is expected to handle up to 90% of the city’s international traffic by 2027.
After 2030, all international flights are set to operate from Long Thanh, setting the foundation for an international transit hub. Meanwhile, Tan Son Nhat will focus on domestic routes and non-scheduled international services, including charter flights.
Tran Quang Thang, Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Institute of Economics and Management, said the proposal by the Airports Corporation of Vietnam is feasible in terms of planning and airport capacity.
However, he stressed that the shift of international flights will depend on travel time and how reliable the transport system is. Road projects are being fast-tracked to be completed before the operational date. But if they are not all finished at the same time, there is a clear risk of “a modern airport with weak connections.”
Meanwhile, the Thu Thiem–Long Thanh Railway is unlikely to be completed before 2030. This means that from 2026 to 2030, access to the airport will rely mainly on roads and shuttle services.
Regarding passenger behaviour, Dr Tran Quang Thang noted that international travellers, especially business commuters, prefer Tan Son Nhat due to its proximity to the city centre. Shifting to Long Thanh will require earlier departures, higher travel costs, and the risk of traffic congestion.
“Changing habits typically takes three to five years after a new airport stabilises. If the initial experience is poor, attracting passengers will be a major challenge,” he said with CafeF
