Vietnam's Long Thanh Airport to Open in 2026: Set to Become the Region's Largest Hub with an Annual Capacity of 100 Million Passengers

Vietnam is nearing completion on the Long Thanh International Airport project, which is slated to open for commercial flights in December 2026 and is set to become the region's largest airport. The mega-project, under construction approximately 40 kilometers east of Ho Chi Minh City in Dong Nai province, is being realized with a massive budget of 12.8 billion dollars (approximately 336.63 million Vietnam dong). Carried out by the state-owned Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV), this initiative aims to fundamentally transform not only Vietnam's but the entire Asian continent's air transportation infrastructure. Once completed, the airport is planned to reach an annual capacity of 100 million passengers and is poised to become Southeast Asia's new global hub. The project stands out as a strategic solution to alleviate the massive burden on the currently operating Tan Son Nhat Airport, which is serving well beyond its capacity.

The Tan Son Nhat Airport, which currently serves the Ho Chi Minh City area, has been operating with passenger traffic far exceeding its designed capacity for years, creating a severe bottleneck. Long Thanh Airport was planned specifically to absorb this excess load and relieve air traffic in the region. Additionally, the new airport aims to draw long-haul flights, currently operated through established regional hubs such as Singapore, Bangkok, and Kuala Lumpur, to Vietnam. Initially set to operate with an annual capacity of 25 million passengers and 1.2 million tons of cargo, the facility will reach a massive volume with future expansion phases. Once it achieves its ultimate goal of a 100 million passenger capacity, it is expected to be recognized as one of the most important mega-airports globally.

The current stage of the construction process also indicates rapid progress in line with the project's end-of-2026 target. Following the energization of the electrical system, ACV initiated an intensive 180-day work schedule to complete the facility on time. A total of 76 percent of the project's overall value has already been completed. The most critical elements—the aircraft parking area (apron) near the terminal, fuel systems, and the access roads connecting to the airport—are 88 percent, 92 percent, and 90 percent complete, respectively. The main structural framework of the central terminal building is finished, and approximately two-thirds progress has been made in interior and fixture works. Additionally, the runway, completed in 2025, is already fully operational.

The physical infrastructure of the airport has also successfully passed crucial testing phases in 2025. The Long Thanh runway proved its technical capability by hosting its first calibration flight in September 2025. The systems were further tested with an official technical landing conducted by a Boeing 787 aircraft from Vietnam Airlines in December. In the coming months, three separate operational trial runs are planned to take place in September, October, and November. These comprehensive tests will meticulously evaluate terminal operations, baggage handling systems, and ground services prior to the commercial opening in December 2026. This meticulous schedule was specially designed to ensure the massive mega-project enters service without any disruptions.

The added value that Long Thanh Airport will bring to the region will not be limited to its runways; it will also trigger a large-scale economic transformation. Built on a giant area of approximately 5,000 hectares, the project also facilitates the creation of a comprehensive road network integrated with the main terminal. This revolution in logistics infrastructure has already sparked a significant revival in the real estate and business sectors surrounding the airport. Many national and international companies have begun building new centers within its sphere of influence to take advantage of the superior connectivity opportunities offered by the airport. The new airport is also attracting immense interest from international airlines and is becoming an indispensable hub for firms seeking a new operational base in the Southeast Asian market.