According to the Ministry of Transport, the Resolution of the Politburo has assigned the Dong Nai Provincial People’s Committee as the leading agency to implement the project to upgrade Bien Hoa International Airport to a dual-use airport of 4E grade.
The overall planning for the development of the national airport and airport system for the period of 2021-2030, with a vision to 2050, approved by the Prime Minister, has also assigned “People’s Committees of provinces and centrally-run cities with new airport planning (including Bien Hoa and Thanh Son airports) to consider and report to the Prime Minister as the competent agency to invest in airports through the PPP method, to implement investment when ensuring efficiency, safety, and conducting a comprehensive assessment of related impacts.”
Therefore, the Ministry of Transport believes that it is appropriate for the Dong Nai Provincial People’s Committee to be assigned as the competent state agency to implement the investment project of Bien Hoa International Airport in accordance with the government’s general policy.
The Ministry of Transport agreed on the decision to assign the Dong Nai Provincial People’s Committee as the competent state agency to implement the project.
However, since Bien Hoa International Airport is formed based on the utilization of land and infrastructure of Bien Hoa Airport managed by the Ministry of Defence, the dual-use exploitation plan needs to be approved by the Ministry of Defence.
The Ministry of Transport has recommended that the Prime Minister direct the Ministry of Defence and relevant ministries and agencies such as the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Planning and Investment, and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment to pay attention, coordinate, and support the Dong Nai Provincial People’s Committee in the implementation process.
According to research, Bien Hoa Airport was built before 1955 for military purposes. This airport is located in Bien Hoa City and about 30km from Ho Chi Minh City. Bien Hoa military airport is planned to be a domestic airport for dual-use with an operating capacity of 5 million passengers/year by 2030 and 10 million passengers/year by 2050.
Currently, in Dong Nai province, the construction of Long Thanh International Airport phase 1 is underway with a capacity to accommodate 25 million passengers and 1.2 million tons of goods per year. This airport is expected to be basically completed in 2025 and put into commercial operation in 2026.
With the elevation of Bien Hoa airport to a dual-use airport, when this airport is put into operation, Dong Nai province will be the first locality in the country to have two civilian and dual-use airports operating simultaneously.
