The Prime Minister: Remove the Naysayers and Hold Accountable Those Lacking Responsibility in the Long Thanh Airport Project

The conference was held at the Government Office headquarters, with online connections to the southern province of Dong Nai. Also in attendance were Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha, Vice Chairman of the Steering Committee; leaders of ministries, sectors, and localities; and representatives from management boards, investors, and domestic and foreign contractors.

Earlier, in December 2024, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh conducted his fifth inspection of the progress of the Long Thanh Airport project.

The Long Thanh International Airport project consists of four main components: Component 1 (headquarters of government agencies); Component 2 (air traffic control facilities); Component 3 (essential infrastructure); and Component 4 (ground-handling services).

During the meeting, ministries, agencies, investors, and contractors reported on ensuring the project’s progress and quality as directed by the Prime Minister.

The reports and opinions presented at the meeting evaluated that, with the resolute and close direction of the Prime Minister, the active implementation of tasks and packages by ministries, sectors, localities, and related agencies, up to now, the site clearance and land handover for the entire project have been basically completed. The construction items have also been deployed simultaneously.

Along with the achievements, there are still some tasks that are slow, stagnant, or incomplete, mainly related to site clearance. Many difficulties and obstacles need to be removed.

In Component 1, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has not arranged capital and completed the approval procedures for the investment policy of the headquarters of the animal/plant quarantine agency.

In Component 3, the most important component, the total value of completed works has reached 36%. However, the construction package of the runway, taxiway, and aircraft apron has not seen much progress compared to the previous report. After the National Assembly’s approval, the construction of the second runway has not been implemented.

Especially for the package of constructing and installing equipment for the passenger terminal – the heart of the project, many specialized equipment must be custom-designed and imported from abroad. Therefore, the progress depends heavily on the production of specialized equipment from other countries.

In Component 4, some packages have not selected investors, causing delays and potentially affecting the entire airport’s operation.

Speaking at the meeting, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh emphasized that the Long Thanh International Airport project is a crucial national project and the country’s largest airport project. It carries great significance and must be expedited because, for the economy to achieve double-digit growth in the coming years, transportation must be smooth.

The Prime Minister requested that the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and relevant agencies inspect, clarify responsibilities, and handle officials responsible for the slow arrangement of capital for the animal/plant quarantine station headquarters in Component 1.

The Prime Minister pointed out that the Ministry of Transport has disciplined some officials, but it must continue to clarify and immediately handle those with higher responsibilities for the delayed tasks. The Ministry should promptly report to the Prime Minister.

The Prime Minister stated that the goal remains unchanged from previous directions, which is to basically complete the Long Thanh Airport by the end of 2025. This is the Government’s directive and was also concluded by the Central Committee recently.

To achieve this goal, the Prime Minister requested that relevant agencies and individuals demonstrate the highest sense of responsibility, “only discuss how to do, not how not to do,” and “don’t say no, don’t say difficult, and don’t say yes but don’t do.” It is necessary to mobilize the total strength of agencies and forces; anyone who hesitates or cannot do it should step aside and not hinder those with a sense of responsibility. Time, intelligence, and decisiveness are the decisive factors for success. If there are difficulties and obstacles, and if there is a need for people, money, mechanisms, or anything else, report to the Government and the Prime Minister.

Regarding specific tasks, the Prime Minister requested that the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development urgently and vigorously implement the project of the animal/plant quarantine station headquarters in Component 1 (other agencies have completed their tasks).

For Component 2, which is currently on track, the Vietnam Airports Corporation (ACV) and relevant agencies must complete it before April 30, 2025.

The Prime Minister pointed out that Component 3 is currently the most challenging, especially for equipment like X-ray machines and conveyor belts that must be ordered from abroad. Therefore, for the construction part, it is necessary to review the work, make more specific assignments, conduct more rigorous inspections, reorganize the construction, and deploy it simultaneously to accelerate progress further. Work in three shifts and four teams, work through holidays and Tet, and “eat quickly and sleep promptly.” “Overcome the sun, win over the rain, and don’t lose to storms” to make up for lost time. Finish the rough work and immediately start on the interior. The Prime Minister also suggested drawing on the experience of implementing the 500 kV power line project, increasing subcontractors, including those who performed well at Noi Bai and Tan Son Nhat airports, and supplementing the workforce if necessary, even mobilizing the public security and military forces for tasks that can be done manually. For equipment facing difficulties, ACV and the contractor should go directly to the factories of foreign suppliers to work and promote production.

For Component 4, the Ministry of Transport is responsible for all related tasks and must complete the remaining procedures before February 15.

Similarly, the Prime Minister requested that the agencies complete the procedures for constructing the second runway before February 15; regarding capital for this runway, ACV will implement it within its authority.

Regarding connecting transport infrastructure, which must be basically completed in 2025, the Prime Minister directed the Ministry of Transport and relevant agencies to urgently implement the procedures. The Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Planning and Investment should promptly balance and allocate capital.

On raw materials, the Prime Minister requested that Dong Nai Province comply with the Law on Minerals and the resolutions of the National Assembly and the Government. Directly assign mineral mines to contractors without intermediaries, review the whole process, and if any irregularities are found, revoke the mines and strictly handle them according to the law. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment will coordinate with Dong Nai Province to handle this issue.

The Prime Minister praised Dong Nai Province for its efforts in site clearance for the Long Thanh Airport project and also asked the province to draw lessons and quickly implement other transport infrastructure projects.

The Prime Minister assigned the Government Office to continue monitoring and urging, and Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha to continue directly directing and regularly inspecting the project. Deputy Prime Minister Ho Duc Phoc will continue to directly direct tasks related to capital for the project.