Organized by Masterise Group, the Architectural Design Competition for the Gia Binh International Airport Passenger Terminal brings together three of the world’s most renowned architectural firms - Gensler (USA), SOM (USA), and Nikken Sekkei (Japan) - in a quest to identify the optimal design solution for Vietnam’s new landmark. The competition marks an important milestone in the journey to develop strategic national infrastructure in a new era of Vietnam’s rise.

Building Asia-Pacific’s next passenger, cargo, and MRO gateway

On November 8, 2025, the presentation round of the design competition took place at Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi, featuring three architectural giants: Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP (SOM - USA), Nikken Sekkei Ltd. (Japan), and Gensler (USA). 

These firms are the creative forces behind some of the world’s leading Skytrax 5-star airports - notably at Incheon (South Korea), Haneda (Japan), and Changi (Singapore) - and bring proven expertise in designing passenger terminals that are functional, sustainable, and reflective of local identity.

The competition was structured as an international design process to select the most suitable architectural solution for the Gia Binh International Airport Passenger Terminal. It followed a rigorous professional protocol: live presentations, independent evaluation, secret voting, transparent result announcement, and full compliance with Vietnamese legal regulations as well as international standards in architecture, planning, and construction.

The final presentation round was assessed by an international Jury Panel composed of leading experts in architecture, planning, aviation, and large-scale infrastructure development, including: Professor Richard De Neufville of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), USA; Israeli–Canadian–American architect and urban planner Moshe Safdie of Safdie Architects; Mr. Cristiano Ceccato de Sabata, Director at Zaha Hadid Architects; Mr. Laurence Liauw, Principal Director of SPADA and Adjunct Associate Professor at the Faculty of Architecture of the University of Hong Kong; and Mr. Trevor Carnahoff, Program Director & Regional Market Solutions Lead Asia Aviation at Jacobs.

Alongside the international experts were representatives from Vietnam’s Ministry of Public Security, Ministry of Construction, the Bac Ninh Department of Construction, and senior leaders of Masterise Group, ensuring strict adherence to legal, professional, and international best practices throughout the competition.

Blending Vietnamese identity with global airport design standards

In a focused and highly professional atmosphere, all three participating firms presented distinct concepts demonstrating careful research into local context and the long-term development trajectory of Vietnam’s aviation sector.

Pursuing a next-generation “smart - green - sustainable” airport model that supports socioeconomic development, each proposal rooted its architectural concept in Vietnamese culture and landscape, placing people and passenger experience at the center. Design considerations balanced feasibility, long-term sustainability, operational efficiency, aesthetics, and the ability to express Vietnamese identity through contemporary airport architecture.

Several notable sustainability ideas were highly regarded, such as rainwater harvesting and reuse systems, optimized daylighting through skylights, natural nighttime ventilation, low-carbon materials such as timber and terracotta, and integrated rooftop solar power systems.

These approaches demonstrate the dedication and creative capacity of the three global teams in envisioning an integrated, future-ready airport - where architecture, engineering, and passenger experience converge within a unified vision of sustainable development.

Jordan Pierce, Senior Associate Principal at Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM), shared: “So our thinking around the design of the new terminal for Gia Binh was that we really wanted to have a design that was inspired by the landscapes of Vietnam, a design that would be resonant with people throughout the entirety of the country because its inspiration would be drawn from the landscapes that make up the beautiful country of Vietnam. We came up with the design of an airport that we're calling the Terminal of the Water Gardens, where each moment of the passenger journey is marked by a different landscape experience centered around water.”

The Jury Panel evaluated all submissions against ten comprehensive criteria, including technical feasibility, sustainability, creativity, cultural coherence, functionality, and aesthetic quality. Designs also needed to meet international standards for modern airport planning and operation. The selection process was conducted objectively, with independent assessments and direct professional dialogue, ensuring transparency and quality in each decision.

Laurence Liauw, Principal Director of SPADA (Hong Kong) and Vice Chairman of the Jury, affirmed: “I think this is a very good time for Hanoi to develop a new airport. I think the old airport has been around for a long time, and has served its purpose, its full capacity. So apart from expanding the capacity, I think it represents an opportunity for Hanoi to grow the aviation business. The economy and the population are growing very fast. And Hanoi as a kind of global tourist destination on the world map is increasing its footprint. So I think the new airport will be a very welcome addition to the nation's expanding tourism and aviation industry.”

Vietnam’s global ambition takes flight at Gia Binh Airport

As the future northern gateway airport and a regional hub for passengers, cargo, and MRO services, the Gia Binh International Airport is poised to drive growth for Hanoi and the northern key economic regions, strengthening Vietnam’s competitiveness in logistics, high-tech industry, and large-scale commercial services.

Designed to meet ICAO 4F technical standards and Skytrax 5-Star service benchmarks, the airport is a national strategic project of economic, security, defense, and diplomatic significance.

With a projected capacity of 30 million passengers and 1.6 million tonnes of cargo per year by 2030, expanding to 50 million passengers and 2.5 million tonnes of cargo by 2050, the airport aims to stand alongside leading regional hubs such as Changi (Singapore), Incheon (South Korea), and Suvarnabhumi (Thailand).

The Gia Binh International Airport is expected to become Vietnam’s new hub of international connectivity - embodying advanced operational standards, an integrated service ecosystem, and strong global linkages.

Beyond technical and operational targets, the airport aspires to be a symbol of sustainable, smart, green development. From spatial planning and materials selection to operational technologies, the project prioritizes sustainability, energy efficiency, environmental protection, and user experience.

The Architectural Design Competition for the Gia Binh International Airport Passenger Terminal - international in scale and executed with rigorous professionalism - reflects the strategic vision of the project and Masterise Group’s strong commitment to mobilizing global expertise and innovation for Vietnam’s next generation of national infrastructure.

PV