Vietnam’s Aviation Triumph: Surpassing Japan and the U.S. to Claim the World’s Best Regional Airport Title

Vietnam has made a remarkable mark on the global aviation map with one of its airports earning prestigious accolades from the World Travel Awards, often hailed as the Oscars of the global tourism and aviation industry. Amidst fierce competition among Asian airports in terms of scale, technology, and services, the recognition of a Vietnamese airport as a leader stands as a proud milestone, reflecting the nation’s significant strides in aviation.

For two consecutive years, Van Don International Airport was honored as the World’s Leading Regional Airport in 2020 and 2021, surpassing renowned contenders such as Chubu Centrair International Airport in Japan, Denver International Airport in the United States, and Gimpo International Airport in South Korea. In 2020, Van Don Airport also secured two additional prestigious awards from the World Travel Awards: Asia’s Leading Regional Airport and Asia’s Leading Airport Lounge for its VIP and CIP lounges. These accolades underscore the airport’s exceptional service quality, operational efficiency, and long-term vision, achieved in a remarkably short period since its inception.

The World Travel Awards are awarded based on stringent criteria, including overall design, environmental friendliness, service quality, passenger experience, and actual satisfaction levels. The evaluation process involves industry experts, airlines, travel agencies, and global passengers, ensuring objectivity and credibility. Thus, Van Don Airport’s triumph over many established international airports is a clear testament to its global competitiveness.

Located in Quang Ninh Province, approximately 50km from Ha Long Bay, Van Don International Airport officially opened in late 2018 as Vietnam’s first private airport. Designed with a focus on modern eco-friendly principles, the airport draws inspiration from natural heritage landscapes, blending local cultural elements with international standards to transform the waiting experience into an exploratory journey.

Currently, Van Don International Airport is preparing for a major expansion under its 2030 master plan, with a vision extending to 2050. The upgrade aims to increase capacity to millions of passengers annually, add new terminals, enhance cargo infrastructure, and construct a second runway, positioning the airport as a key aviation and logistics hub in the Northeast region. From a globally recognized achievement, Van Don continues its journey of ambitious growth.