Located in the heart of Vietnam, Quang Tri possesses a rich cultural and historical heritage. Despite its potential for development, the province has yet to witness any breakthrough projects that could propel it to greater heights. The harsh natural conditions and the devastation wrought by wars have presented innumerable challenges to this “coordinate of fire” in its quest for progress.
In a research article, Prof. Dr. Tran Dinh Thien, former Director of the Vietnam Institute of Economics, pointed out the exceptional difficulties faced by Quang Tri decades after its liberation: “Quang Tri has been struggling with challenges rarely seen in other provinces.”
Quang Tri aims to be among the fairly developed provinces in Vietnam by 2030, focusing on industrialization and service development.
Quang Tri occupies a significant geo-economic and geopolitical position, serving as the intersection of the North-South and East-West economic corridors. It boasts a convenient transportation system comprising roads, railways, and waterways, including vital routes such as the East-West Economic Corridor (EWEC), the shortest trans-Asian route connecting Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam through the Lao Bao international border gate, extending to the ASEAN region.
Quang Tri’s economy is on an upward trajectory, boasting the Southeast Economic Zone and two international border gates, Lao Bao and La Lay. Additionally, the province is strategically located on the East-West Economic Corridor, closely linked to the North-South economic axis. Furthermore, Quang Tri aspires to become a leading renewable energy hub in Central Vietnam and the country by 2030, attracting the attention of numerous energy investors.
Notably, Quang Tri boasts a 75-kilometer-long coastline, majestic caves and waterfalls, nature reserves, and revolutionary historical relics. The province is home to a system of historical sites associated with the nation’s wars, such as the National Martyrs’ Cemeteries of Truong Son and Road 9, the Quang Tri Ancient Citadel, and the Hien Luong – Ben Hai River tourist site. With the development of spiritual and root tourism, the number of visitors to Quang Tri to explore its history and visit these historical sites is expected to surge.
However, the lack of an airport in Quang Tri presents a challenge for investors and tourists, who must travel to either Quang Binh or Hue and then take a bus or train, adding approximately two more hours to their journey. This absence of an airport also hinders the province from unleashing its potential in logistics, industry, and trade.
Looking at successful examples worldwide, the development of infrastructure, especially aviation infrastructure, is always a priority as it is considered a catalyst for economic growth. This creates momentum and a foundation to propel dependent sectors such as tourism, logistics, import-export, and service industries to new heights.
Additionally, having an airport indirectly brings other economic and social benefits, generates local employment opportunities, and opens doors for the local economy to thrive and develop sustainably.
With this vision in mind, thanks to the determination of the provincial leaders and interested businesses, in December 2023, Component Project 2 – Construction of the Airport under the Investment Project for the Construction of Quang Tri Airport officially commenced. The airport is being built through a public-private partnership (PPP) with a total investment of over VND 5,800 billion, spanning over 265 hectares across three communes: Gio Quang, Gio Hai, and Gio Mai in Gio Linh district.
Mr. Vo Van Hung, Chairman of the Quang Tri People’s Committee, affirmed that the Quang Tri Airport is a crucial driving force to achieve the province’s socio-economic development and national defense goals and fulfill the aspirations of the people of Quang Tri and tourists from across the country and abroad. “Moreover, it presents an opportunity for Quang Tri to develop on par with other provinces,” emphasized the Chairman of the People’s Committee.
Notably, Quang Tri, occupying a strategic position as the country’s “transit point,” currently lacks a dedicated airport. Therefore, many experts deem the construction of an airport in this province necessary. The project is expected to be located near National Highway 1, National Highway 9, and the North-South railway. Additionally, the province has planned a parallel route connecting National Highway 1 to the Quang Tri Airport’s entrance and extending to the sea. Furthermore, as the North-South Expressway passes through National Highway 9, the project can easily access this vital transportation artery.
“Notably, in terms of infrastructure, Quang Tri is situated on the East-West transport corridor and the Southeast Economic Zone. Building the Quang Tri Airport will synchronize and create a logistics system comprising aviation, seaports, and border gates,” shared Prof. Dr. Nguyen Ngoc Long, Rector of the University of Transport.
With a scale of VND 5,800 billion, the Quang Tri Airport project is expected to address economic and cultural issues and boost tourism.
Firstly, Quang Tri is experiencing rapid and sustainable development, with the Southeast Economic Zone, two international border gates, and its location on the East-West Economic Corridor, identified as the backbone connecting closely with the North-South economic corridors.
“Therefore, the airport will not only transport passengers but also handle cargo and logistics, serving the development of industrial parks, economic zones, commercial services, and airport towns. This will attract large investors with high intellectual value, promote green and clean industries, ensure national defense and security, facilitate search and rescue operations, and foster international cooperation,” shared Mr. Le Quang Tung, Secretary of the Quang Tri Provincial Party Committee.
The Quang Tri Airport is designed to meet the standards of a grade 4C airport (according to the classification of the International Civil Aviation Organization – ICAO) and can be upgraded to accommodate Code E aircraft. It is expected to serve up to 5 million passengers and 25,500 tons of cargo annually.
As the unit that will take over the air traffic control functions at Quang Tri Airport after the project becomes operational, the Vietnam Air Traffic Management Corporation (VATM) shared that, in addition to promoting economic and social development and facilitating passenger and cargo transportation, the Quang Tri Airport will also serve as a backup airport for neighboring airports when aircraft cannot land due to adverse weather conditions or other reasons.
Therefore, the operation of Quang Tri Airport will provide a strong impetus for regional economic growth by expanding investment and trade and boosting tourism, thereby facilitating the exchange of people and goods among localities along the East-West Economic Corridor.
Secondly, the Quang Tri Airport is expected to be a powerful driver for the province’s tourism industry. In 2023, Quang Tri welcomed over 2 million visitors, mainly to spiritual tourism sites such as the National Martyrs’ Cemeteries of Truong Son and Road 9, the Quang Tri Ancient Citadel, and La Vang Holy Land.
Beyond its economic objectives, the construction of the airport holds a more profound significance: serving the people of the entire country who come to pay tribute to the martyrs of Quang Tri. This project embodies the long-cherished aspiration of the people of Quang Tri, aiming to shorten the North-South journey and provide the most convenient means for local residents and families of those who fought and sacrificed their lives in this “coordinate of fire,” as well as international friends, to visit this heroic land.
This project also presents an opportunity to attract domestic and foreign investors to Quang Tri, particularly in economic zones and urban areas, leveraging the province’s advantages as the midpoint of the country and the gateway to the East-West Economic Corridor. Simultaneously, it fulfills the travel needs of people from all over the nation wishing to visit this heroic land.
“The Quang Tri Airport is not just an important transportation project; it also embodies the deep sentiments of the people and the attention of the Party and State leaders and central ministries and sectors towards Quang Tri. It is also an opportunity for us to introduce Quang Tri to international friends and promote integration and development, investment promotion, and attraction,” emphasized Mr. Vo Van Hung, Chairman of the Quang Tri People’s Committee.
At the seminar “Mobilizing Social Capital Investment in Airports: Lessons Learned,” Mr. Le Do Muoi, Director of the Institute for Transport Strategy and Development, shared that there are various airport investment models globally, and the socialization of airports is also a new model worldwide. Vietnam’s socialization of aviation, especially with the Van Don Airport, has been recognized by regional peers as a breakthrough. “We have achieved certain results and now have a complete airport model,” Mr. Muoi stated.
Following the Van Don Airport, the Quang Tri Airport is the next project to be invested in through the PPP model. Attracting social resources to invest in airports in key locations is essential for stimulating economic development.
Mr. Vo Van Hung, Chairman of the Quang Tri People’s Committee, once affirmed that the new airport would boost economic development and ensure national defense and security for the locality.
“The people in the project area are very supportive. This is the determination of the province, with the key being the PPP investment mechanism,” Mr. Hung shared.
According to Dr. Nguyen Bach Tung, an expert in airport design and construction consulting: “The State has consistently promoted the mobilization of external resources for transport infrastructure development, in addition to public investment. According to the master plan approved by the Prime Minister, the investment demand for developing the airport system by 2030 is about VND 420,000 billion. However, only Van Don Airport has been completed and put into operation through PPP investment. The Quang Tri Airport project, with the participation of investors, is a positive signal for continuing PPP investment in aviation projects in the future.”
At the project launch event in December 2023, the Quang Tri Province handed over the Decision approving the selection of investors and the Business Registration Certificate of the PPP project enterprise to the investor consortium of T&T Group Traffic Infrastructure Investment and Development JSC (a member of T&T Group) and CIENCO4 Joint Stock Corporation. This marked a significant milestone in the official implementation of the project, completing another piece in the province’s transportation network puzzle and contributing to unleashing Quang Tri’s potential, propelling its socio-economic development to new heights.
Mr. Do Quang Hien, Founder and Chairman of the Strategy Committee of T&T Group, shared that the Group has a strong attachment to Quang Tri. T&T Group is committed to mobilizing its utmost resources to complete the Quang Tri Airport, turning it into a driving force for local economic development and a bridge connecting the people of the whole country to the sacred land of Quang Tri. Along with other large-scale
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