The Vietnamese aviation authority has proposed a two-phase plan to divide operations between Tan Son Nhat and Long Thanh airports, following an evaluation of two scenarios presented by the Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV). The first scenario suggests Long Thanh handles international flights while Tan Son Nhat serves domestic routes. The second scenario maintains parallel international operations at both airports.
According to the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV), the proposed plan will be implemented in two stages, ensuring a gradual transition that aligns with infrastructure development and market demands.
Phase 1 (2025-2030): Both airports will handle international flights, with Long Thanh progressively taking the lead. During this period, new international routes or increased frequencies to Ho Chi Minh City will be directed to Long Thanh instead of Tan Son Nhat. Airlines wishing to relocate to Long Thanh will be accommodated.
The transition will be executed in line with Long Thanh’s construction progress, operational infrastructure, and transportation connectivity. Adjustments will also consider seasonal flight schedules, international aviation practices, and Vietnam’s aviation market growth.
Long Thanh International Airport is accelerating construction to complete Phase 1 by late 2025. (Photo: ACV)
Starting in mid-2026, airlines will be encouraged to relocate flights to and from Europe, the Americas, and Oceania from Tan Son Nhat to Long Thanh. Subsequently, the new international airport will expand its network to Africa, the Middle East, Northeast Asia, and Southeast Asia.
During this phase, Tan Son Nhat will continue operating short-haul routes under 1,000 km for Vietnamese airlines, primarily serving domestic flights, while Long Thanh will handle a portion of international traffic.
After 2030, all international flights will shift to Long Thanh once its transportation network is fully developed. The airport will evolve into a comprehensive aviation hub, integrating an airport city, free trade zone, and high-speed rail and metro connections, similar to models in Singapore and Amsterdam.
Tan Son Nhat will then focus on domestic flights and non-scheduled international charter services for organizations and individuals.
The CAAV collaborated with ACV and consulted domestic and international airlines and experts to develop this proposal. The authority emphasized that consolidating all international flights at Long Thanh from the outset would inconvenience most passengers, who reside in central Ho Chi Minh City, by requiring a 40 km journey, increasing costs and travel time. In contrast, Tan Son Nhat is only 6-7 km from the city center.
The CAAV will continue refining the plan based on infrastructure progress and the integrated development of Long Thanh Airport, including urban expansion, logistics hubs, and free trade zones. Additionally, the authority has urged the Ministry of Construction to expedite road and rail projects connecting Long Thanh Airport to Ho Chi Minh City and other regions, and to implement pricing policies supporting airlines during the transition.
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