New Developments in Lam Dong: Phan Thiet Airport Project Takes a Fresh Turn

The People’s Committee of Lam Dong Province has recently submitted a document to the Ministries of National Defense, Public Security, Construction, and Culture, Sports, and Tourism, seeking their opinions on the appraisal dossier for the Phan Thiet Airport project’s civilian aviation component, located in Mui Ne Ward, Lam Dong Province. This move is considered a crucial step in advancing the project after nearly a decade of stagnation, preparing for the finalization of the dossier to be submitted to the Provincial People’s Council for investment approval in October 2025.

Local authorities are in the process of preparing a dossier to request investment approval through a land-use investor selection tender, replacing the previous BOT (Build-Operate-Transfer) model, which had caused the project’s prolonged delay.

According to the plan, the Lam Dong Provincial People’s Committee has requested the Ministry of National Defense to provide opinions on the conditions and requirements related to Decision 159/QD-TTg dated July 15, 2025, issued by the Prime Minister, approving the list of dual-use defense works at the Phan Thiet military airport. The Ministry of National Defense, in collaboration with the Ministry of Public Security, is invited to review defense and security aspects, ensuring the project meets shared infrastructure standards.

The Ministry of Construction is requested to assess the project’s scale, location, and functionality in alignment with approved national sectoral plans and regional plans. This assessment is vital for the South Central region’s key aviation project to complete its legal dossier and prepare for a new phase of development.

The Lam Dong Provincial People’s Committee stated that the shift in investment format was implemented following Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha’s directive. In Document No. 9014/VPCP-CN dated September 23, 2025, the Government mandated the termination of the BOT model for the civilian aviation component of Phan Thiet Airport, transitioning to investment under the Law on Investment to ensure transparency, efficiency, and compliance with legal regulations.

Currently, local authorities are finalizing the dossier for submission to the Provincial People’s Council for investment approval, while also initiating the tender process to select investors for the land-use project, in accordance with the 2020 Law on Investment.

The Phan Thiet Airport project is estimated to cost nearly VND 3.8 trillion (excluding land clearance and compensation expenses). The airport is designed to meet 4E standards, capable of serving 2 million passengers annually by 2030. The investor will be granted a 50-year management right over approximately 15 hectares of land in the civilian aviation area for construction and operation.

The project will utilize the existing runway and airspace infrastructure previously invested by the military, while also constructing several new modern facilities. Specifically, the aircraft parking apron will measure 170.5 x 455 meters, accommodating 6 parking positions (2 Code E and 4 Code C positions); 2 taxiways connecting to the apron; and a passenger terminal with an area of 16,000 – 18,000 m², sufficient to serve 2 million passengers annually.

Upon completion, Phan Thiet Airport will not only cater to domestic and international travel, tourism, and investment needs but also serve as a backup airport for Tan Son Nhat and Cam Ranh in emergency situations. The airport will also handle humanitarian and social welfare flights.

The project is expected to be completed within 28 months from the date of investment approval, with a 50-year operation period.

Alongside the Dau Giay – Phan Thiet Expressway and the Vinh Hao – Phan Thiet coastal road, Phan Thiet Airport is anticipated to significantly boost regional infrastructure development. Once operational, the project will become a vital link in the transportation network of the South Central, Central Highlands, and Southeast regions, reducing travel time to major tourist destinations such as Mui Ne, Da Lat, and Nha Trang.