The Mega-Project Worth Over $16 Billion: A Historic Day as the Prime Minister Approves a Proposal on-site.

On August 2, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh visited the construction site, encouraging officials, workers, and laborers, and chaired a meeting to review the progress of the Long Thanh International Airport project (in Dong Nai province). This is one of the key national projects of Vietnam.

This is the eighth time the Prime Minister has inspected the project, with the most recent visit being on March 20, 2025.

Since then, ministries and agencies have completed several important tasks. The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, for instance, has implemented the construction of the headquarters for animal and plant quarantine stations and completed the review of responsibilities for the delayed construction.

The Ministry also submitted to the Government a resolution on the application of special mechanisms in licensing mineral exploitation for construction materials. Additionally, the People’s Committee of Dong Nai province has directed the supply of about 1.73 million cubic meters of sand and soil for the project.

According to the report from the Ministry of Construction, they have selected investors for four aircraft maintenance zones (hangars), and submitted for approval the adjustment of the project. Together with the Vietnam Airports Corporation (ACV), the Ministry reviewed and reported on shortening the project implementation period, developing a detailed schedule, and determining the completion time in December 2025, with the first technical flight.

In terms of progress, all packages of the Component 3 project (essential works) are being implemented simultaneously by ACV across the entire site with hundreds of construction sites, nearly 13,000 experts, engineers, workers, and laborers, and about 3,000 construction equipment to accelerate the progress.

There are a total of 14 packages in the Component 3 project. Three packages have been completed, and the remaining 11 are under implementation. As of now, the total value of the construction volume is about 40,316/79,468 billion VND, reaching 50.73% compared to the signed contract value.

For the airport terminal, the contractor is arranging 4,700 personnel and more than 1,000 machinery and equipment for construction. They have completed 99% of the steel structure of the roof and are expected to finish the entire central roof structure before August 15, 2025.

Additionally, the first runway is basically completed. ACV has completed the selection of contractors in special cases and commenced the construction of the second runway on May 30, 2025. The contractor consortium has mobilized more than 283 engineers and workers, along with 127 vehicles and equipment for construction.

However, there are still many unfinished tasks, including some very important ones that directly affect the operation of the airport.

Setting the Completion Date for the Key National Project

After directly inspecting the progress of two important packages of the Component 3 project: the construction package of the second runway and the airport terminal package, and listening to the reports at the construction site, the Prime Minister concluded with some key directives.

According to the Prime Minister, the completion and early operation of the Long Thanh Airport hold significant meanings. It proves that “nothing is impossible” as long as there is determination and the right approach to executing tasks.

With the goal of substantially completing the project by December 19, 2025, and officially putting it into operation according to regulations, aiming for commercial operation in early 2026, the head of the government requested that the ministries, sectors, the People’s Committees of Ho Chi Minh City and Dong Nai province, investors, contractors, consulting units, engineers, workers, and laborers should make greater efforts, stronger determination, and higher commitment. The Prime Minister instructed them to focus on fully and seriously implementing the conclusions and directives, completing all tasks thoroughly.

The Prime Minister directed the construction agencies to complete the four component projects, ensure smooth connectivity, especially with highways, roads, and railways, and finish the technical inspection of air traffic control, along with telecommunications, electricity, and water infrastructure. Other aspects like the environment, landscaping, and accompanying services such as fuel supply also need attention.

Particularly, the Prime Minister emphasized the importance of meeting deadlines while ensuring quality, technical and artistic requirements, safety, and environmental sanitation. He also mentioned the need to pay attention to greening the area, preventing corruption and negativity, and preparing well for the implementation of airport operation projects. Completing the planning of the airport city and promptly implementing the logistics center and the free trade area are also crucial.

Prime Minister’s Approved Proposals

Regarding specific tasks, the Prime Minister instructed the Ministry of Construction to review and direct relevant agencies to urgently implement connectivity projects, prioritizing the use of all available tools to expedite construction. He assigned the People’s Committee of Ho Chi Minh City to promptly research and implement the railway connection between Tan Son Nhat and Long Thanh airports, and ACV to immediately construct the third runway.

Notably, the Prime Minister agreed in principle with the proposal to select contractors in special cases, preventing corruption, negativity, and wastefulness. He directed the Ministry of Construction to prepare for the acceptance process in accordance with regulations.

Additionally, the Prime Minister requested that the investors establish dining and service areas to take care of the engineers, workers, and units involved in the construction site, with a focus on providing services.