Racing to Connect with Long Thanh Airport

Long Thanh International Airport: ACV Targets Trial Runs by August 31, 2026

Mr. Lai Xuan Thanh, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV, the project investor), shared that the main packages of the Long Thanh International Airport project (Long Thanh Airport) are on schedule. The two most important structures of the project, the passenger terminal, and the runway, are ahead of schedule. “With the current progress, ACV expects to complete and conduct trial runs at Long Thanh Airport by August 31, 2026. On September 2, 2026, Long Thanh Airport will welcome its first commercial flight,” said Mr. Thanh.

A Series of Projects in Anticipation

Recognizing Long Thanh Airport as a new growth pole, Dong Nai Province has embarked on a series of preparatory projects since the airport’s construction commencement.

According to the plan, transportation infrastructure projects will be newly invested in, upgraded, and expanded to connect with Long Thanh Airport, including: The 770B provincial road project (running through Dinh Quan, Thong Nhat, Cam My, Long Thanh districts, and Long Khanh city); the project to upgrade and expand the 769 provincial road (running through Thong Nhat and Long Thanh districts); and the project to upgrade and expand the 773 provincial road (running through Xuan Loc, Cam My districts, and Long Khanh city).

However, these projects are currently facing delays. Mr. Ngo The An, Director of the Dong Nai Province Project Management Board for Transport Construction (PMB), attributed the primary challenge affecting the projects’ progress to planning-related issues. The lack of synchronization in relevant planning has hindered the approval process for the projects. Additionally, land compensation and resettlement procedures, as well as land auction procedures in advantageous areas to generate capital for the projects, have not been initiated.

According to the PMB, the 770B provincial road project involves the construction of a new road exceeding 42 km in length. The starting point of the road will intersect with the 763 provincial road in Suoi Nho commune, Dinh Quan district, and the endpoint will connect with National Highway 51 in Phuoc Thai commune, Long Thanh district. The road will have a width of 60 m with 4-8 lanes. The total investment for this project is over VND 8,000 billion, and the implementation period is from 2022 to 2027.

This route will connect the eastern and northeastern districts of the province with Long Thanh Airport and the Xuan Que – Song Nhạn and Bau Can – Tan Hiep industrial parks. It will also provide a link to the Bien Hoa – Vung Tau expressway, National Highway 51, and the Cai Mep – Thi Vai seaport area in Ba Ria – Vung Tau province.

Regarding land compensation and resettlement progress, the Dong Nai Land Development Center is finalizing the feasibility report for the project on compensation, support, resettlement, and site clearance to submit for approval as per regulations.

“This project faces planning-related challenges. The PMB has requested the People’s Committee of Dinh Quan district to complete the adjustment of land use planning by the third quarter of 2024 and the People’s Committee of Long Khanh city to finalize the adjustment of the master plan for construction by the third quarter of 2024. The Dong Nai Land Development Center is urged to expedite land compensation and resettlement procedures and complete the necessary land auction procedures in advantageous areas along the route to ensure the availability of capital for project approval,” said Mr. Ngo The An.

Addressing Challenges

Meanwhile, the 769 provincial road project, stretching nearly 30 km and traversing Thong Nhat and Long Thanh districts, has a total investment of over VND 6,200 billion. The road will start at the intersection of National Highway 1 at Dau Giay junction in Thong Nhat district and end at the intersection of National Highway 51 at Loc An junction in Long Thanh district. This project will ensure smooth transportation between the Southern Key Economic Region and the Central Highlands provinces, providing a vital connection to Long Thanh Airport.

In July, the PMB submitted a dossier to the Department of Planning and Investment for appraisal of the pre-feasibility study report for this project. Relevant units are in the process of preparing the necessary documents and procedures.

Similarly, to address challenges in the 773 provincial road project, the PMB has requested the People’s Committee of Cam My district to expedite the submission of the adjustment of the master plan for the construction of Long Giao town. The Dong Nai Land Development Center is responsible for implementing the procedure for converting rice land use for projects larger than 10 ha as per the Prime Minister’s competence. They are also urged to expedite land compensation and resettlement procedures and complete the necessary land auction procedures in advantageous areas along the route to ensure the availability of capital for project approval.

Mr. Vo Tan Duc, Acting Chairman of the People’s Committee of Dong Nai province, stated that the total investment for these three road projects connecting to Long Thanh Airport is approximately VND 18,000 billion from the provincial budget. However, the province is facing challenges in land auctions due to the stagnant real estate market.

According to Mr. Vo Tan Duc, to address the issue of investment capital, the Provincial Party Committee of Dong Nai has proposed to the National Assembly to provide partial financial support from the savings achieved by reducing the total investment in land revocation, compensation, and resettlement for the Long Thanh Airport project, amounting to approximately VND 3,730 billion.

Regarding the progress of these projects, Mr. Nguyen Hong Linh, Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee of Dong Nai, requested the Party Committee of the People’s Committee of Dong Nai to identify the public investment projects and social investment projects that must be completed before the airport becomes operational. Clear accountability for these projects and their components should be established.