In recent years, Vietnam has been accelerating the construction and expansion of airports nationwide. While Long Thanh International Airport, often dubbed the country's "mega airport," has garnered most of the spotlight, it is just one piece of a much broader strategy.
From the northern province of Bac Ninh to the Central Highlands of Kon Tum (now Quang Ngai) and the coastal region of Khanh Hoa, a wave of airport projects is reshaping the country’s aviation infrastructure. These include new builds, major upgrades, and long-term masterplans - all aimed at positioning Vietnam for the future.
Major Airports Under Construction
Long Thanh International Airport
Located in Dong Nai province, just outside Ho Chi Minh City, Long Thanh is set to become Vietnam’s largest airport. With a total investment of approximately 336.6 trillion VND (about 13.5 billion USD), it will be developed in three phases. Phase one began in early 2021 and is expected to be operational by 2026. The initial capacity is designed to handle 25 million passengers and 1.2 million tons of cargo per year. Upon full completion, Long Thanh will have four runways, four passenger terminals, and an annual capacity of 100 million passengers and 5 million tons of cargo.
In terms of route strategy, Long Thanh is being positioned as Vietnam’s primary international gateway. Under a proposed division of air traffic with Tan Son Nhat International Airport, Long Thanh will handle the majority of long-haul international routes, specifically those over 1,000 kilometers, as well as additional international and domestic flights depending on airline preferences.
For domestic routes, Vietnamese carriers will be given the option to allocate certain flights to Long Thanh. Early estimates suggest that Long Thanh could take over around 80% of international flights and 10-12% of domestic traffic on key trunk routes like Hanoi-Ho Chi Minh City and Danang-Ho Chi Minh City.
Gia Binh International Airport
Construction of Gia Binh Airport began in late 2024 in Bac Ninh province, about 40 kilometers from Hanoi. Initially built to support pilot training and national defense operations, it is now being developed into a full-scale international airport. The project covers approximately 1,960 hectares and is expected to serve 30 million passengers and 1.6 million tons of cargo annually by 2030, growing to 50 million passengers and 2.5 million tons of cargo by 2050. The total investment is estimated at over 196 trillion VND, sourced from a combination of private capital and legally mobilized funds.
Integration with national and regional transportation systems is central to the project’s vision, with direct connections planned via expressways, metro lines, and the national railway linking the airport to Hanoi and surrounding provinces. Beyond transportation, Gia Binh is also expected to drive broader economic development, fostering growth in industrial zones, cross-border trade, tourism, and logistics.
Quang Tri Airport
Construction of Quang Tri Airport began in July 2024 in Gio Linh district and is currently undergoing synchronized development across multiple components. The airport is designed to meet ICAO 4C standards with the capability to accommodate Code E aircraft such as the Boeing 787 and Airbus A350.
When completed, it is expected to handle up to 5 million passengers and 25,500 tons of cargo annually. The project spans over 265 hectares and has an investment of over 5.8 trillion VND. According to the updated schedule, phase one is set to be completed and put into operation by the end of 2026.
Sapa Airport
Approved in late 2021, the Sapa Airport project is planned for construction in Cam Con commune, Bao Yen district of Lao Cai province. It is part of Vietnam’s broader strategy to integrate remote northern regions into the national transport network.
The project will cover 371 hectares and is being developed under a public-private partnership (PPP) model, specifically through a Build–Operate–Transfer (BOT) contract. With an estimated total investment of approximately 6.393 trillion VND, more than 3.537 trillion VND will come from the investor’s own capital and loans, while the state will contribute about 2.855 trillion VND.
The airport is expected to serve as a vital air link for the northern border region, with the Lao Cai Provincial People’s Committee planning to select a domestic investor via open bidding starting in the third quarter of this year. The project is designed for a 47-year term, including over 43 years of operation for capital recovery. Upon completion, Sapa Airport will help support tourism and economic development in this highland region.
Mang Den And Van Phong
Two additional airports - Mang Den (Kon Tum, now is Quang Ngai) and Van Phong (Khanh Hoa) - have recently been added to the national master plan. Mang Den Airport is planned to serve 1 million passengers annually by 2030. The proposed site spans 350 hectares in the Central Highlands, strategically placed between other regional airports such as Pleiku and Chu Lai.
Van Phong Airport is set to serve the northern part of Khanh Hoa province, complementing the Cam Ranh International Airport to the south. The proposed location sits entirely on reclaimed coastal land, covering about 497 hectares. By 2030, it is expected to handle 1.5 million passengers annually, with a projected increase to 2.5 million by 2050. It will be built to handle large aircraft like the A350 and Boeing 787.
Major Upgrades Across the Nation
Beyond new airports, Vietnam is also investing heavily in expanding and upgrading existing infrastructure.
- Phu Quoc Airport is undergoing a massive upgrade to boost capacity from 4 million to 50 million passengers by 2050. Plans include a new runway, expanded apron, and a phoenix-shaped terminal with smart technologies like biometric check-in and automated baggage handling.
- Cam Ranh International Airport has exceeded previous forecasts, handling over 10 million passengers in 2019, well above its planned 2030 capacity of 8 million. New plans aim for 36 million passengers by 2050, along with expansions to runways, cargo terminals, and general aviation facilities.
- Cat Bi Airport in Hai Phong is building a new T2 terminal with a capacity of 5 million passengers annually, scalable to 10 million. This supports a broader goal to increase total capacity at the airport to 13 million passengers by 2030.
- Phu Cat Airport is also adding a second runway to support larger aircraft and higher traffic volumes, with a total investment of 3.25 trillion VND.
Why Is Vietnam Building Many Airports at Once?
Vietnam’s rapid airport expansion is driven by a mix of geography, future planning, and economic ambition. As outlined by Tuổi Trẻ, there are four main reasons for this large-scale effort:
- Rising Passenger Demand: Forecasts estimate that Vietnam will need to serve nearly 276 million passengers annually by 2030 and almost 491 million by 2050. This immense growth in air travel demand is a key motivator behind expanding airport capacity nationwide.
- Geographical Necessity: Vietnam’s long and narrow shape, combined with mountainous and remote areas, makes equitable access to air travel difficult. New airports, especially in underserved regions like the Central Highlands and northern mountains, are intended to improve regional connectivity.
- Strategic and Emergency Preparedness: Airports are not just for commercial flights; they serve dual roles in national defense, disaster response, and emergency rescue operations. The government sees airfields in remote zones as essential infrastructure for both civilian and strategic needs.
- Future Transport Innovation: As technologies like personal aircraft and air taxis develop, Vietnam aims to avoid overcrowding at major airports by ensuring a distributed network. A wider range of airports will better accommodate new types of aviation in the future
To position Vietnam as a regional transportation hub
More than just infrastructure, these projects show the country’s determination to position itself as a regional transportation hub, ready for rapid economic growth and expanding international trade.
But as construction ramps up and plans take shape, some questions remain: How will these airports perform in practice once operational? Will they spur regional development or struggle to attract sufficient traffic? And how will Vietnam measure success across such a diverse mix of locations, from economic powerhouses to rural frontiers?
As the runways are paved and terminals rise, it is not just flights that are being launched, but also a test of Vietnam’s ability to turn bold infrastructure into balanced, inclusive growth.