The Government Office has issued a directive on behalf of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, addressing operational strategies for Tan Son Nhat International Airport and Long Thanh International Airport.

Previously, media reports raised questions about how to best coordinate the exploitation of both airports. According to Uong Viet Dung, Director of the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam, Long Thanh is designed as a modern international airport aiming to become a regional hub for Southeast Asia and the broader Asia-Pacific region.

The government has placed particular emphasis on the Long Thanh project, frequently urging accelerated progress to complete construction by the end of 2025 and launch operations by mid-2026.

Dung emphasized that a clear and synchronized transition scenario is crucial to ensure the efficient exploitation of Long Thanh Airport. This includes aligning infrastructure, services, and commerce to facilitate parallel operations with Tan Son Nhat Airport, thereby avoiding disruptions in the aviation network.

To date, the Civil Aviation Authority has not finalized a definitive operational plan, continuing instead to seek feedback from experts and the public.

Urban planning expert and architect Ngo Viet Nam Son proposed a three-phase roadmap for the effective rollout of Long Thanh Airport. In the initial phase, while regional infrastructure and metro lines are still under development, the airport should only partially relieve pressure from Tan Son Nhat and prioritize cargo transport.

In the second phase, as urban and transportation systems become fully integrated, more international flights could be shifted to Long Thanh.

The final phase envisions Long Thanh as one of Southeast Asia's leading airports, fully integrated with an airport city, free trade zones, expressway networks, and metro systems - mirroring models found in Singapore and Amsterdam.

Son further advised, “We shouldn’t overload Long Thanh from the start. A gradual, flexible approach will ensure both passenger convenience and economic efficiency.”

Responding to these discussions, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has directed the Minister of Construction to investigate and resolve these concerns and report back to him by September 27.

Ngan Anh