Shaped like a blooming lotus, Long Thanh Airport’s terminal nears completion with thousands of workers racing to meet the December 19 milestone.
As November draws to a close, the iconic lotus-inspired terminal at Long Thanh International Airport in Dong Nai is taking form. Inside, installation of key systems like elevators and escalators is underway, all racing against the clock to prepare for the airport’s first scheduled flight.
Construction at Long Thanh International Airport is in full swing, especially the crucial passenger terminal under package 5.10 - a component of phase 3, with an investment of 35 trillion VND (approximately 1.42 billion USD).
Aerial views highlight the terminal’s signature stylized lotus design, with the petal-like roof structure nearly complete. Finishing touches are being applied to the surrounding “wings” in time for the planned milestone on December 19.
This terminal is the centerpiece of Long Thanh Airport’s Phase 1. Built on a 376,000-square-meter footprint, it aims to become an architectural landmark within the ambitious project.
The terminal comprises a ground floor and three upper levels, with separate flows for arrivals and departures. Its roof reaches a height of 45.55 meters. Once operational, the facility will handle up to 25 million passengers and 1.2 million tons of cargo annually. The apron includes 40 aircraft parking stands.Workers can be seen under the sun, laboring tirelessly on the terminal’s central roof. According to the Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV), around 14,000 engineers, specialists, and workers - supported by over 3,000 machines - are working around the clock in “three shifts, four crews” to meet project deadlines.The terminal’s core was designed to maximize natural light. The central dome acts as a skylight, flooding the interior with sunlight and creating an expansive, airy feel. The skylight not only brightens the space but also enhances the architectural impact of the lotus-inspired design.Currently, the ground floor - home to the terminal’s key functions - is undergoing extensive electrical installation. The interior impresses with a vast check-in hall, spacious main lobby, and a layout that promotes smooth passenger flow. This level also houses essential passenger services, such as information counters, lounges, and baggage services.Elevators, escalators, stairways, and passenger corridors are being rapidly installed by the contractor teams.Engineers test-operated escalators on November 27. Elevator systems are also nearing completion.At the ground level, structural components such as columns, beams, floors, and ceilings are largely finished. The interior layout is becoming more defined - especially the expansive check-in area and internal walkways, which offer intuitive navigation from the moment passengers enter.The corridor leading to the international terminal is being finished with ceiling, flooring, and wall treatments. Directional signage is yet to be installed. Technical systems like electricity and air conditioning are being prepped for upcoming phases.On site, engineer Nguyen Thanh Binh was seen testing the airport’s power supply system on November 27 - an essential step in ensuring stable and continuous electricity for the terminal and other critical operations.The jet bridges connecting the terminal to aircraft parking areas are nearly structurally complete. Installation of glass panels is ongoing, readying this vital link between the terminal and the airside.According to the design, there will be 32 jet bridges serving 40 parking stands for Code C, E, and F aircraft.So far, three out of fifteen construction packages have been completed. The remaining twelve are being implemented at full speed, with many expected to be finished three to five months ahead of schedule.Runway No.1 has been completed and is expected to welcome the airport’s inaugural flight on December 19. Long Thanh International Airport is a nationally significant project, with Phase 1 investments totaling around 5 billion USD. Once fully completed, it will be Vietnam’s largest airport, spanning 5,364 hectares and designed to serve up to 100 million passengers annually.
Vietnamnet.vn
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