Property developer Sun Group has been selected to build Quang Ninh International Airport in Van Don Island district in northern Quang Ninh province.

In a meeting early this week, Deputy Chairman of the provincial People's Committee Nguyen Van Thanh said the construction work of the project will commence on March 27.

Earlier, a collaborative venture of the Korea Airport Corporation, Joinus Vietnam Joint Stock Company and Posco E&C Joint Stock Company were considered as the potential investor of the project.

The airport will be built on 248.6ha in Van Don District's Economic Zone, with an estimated investment capital of 7.49 trillion VND (351.8 million USD), including the costs for site clearance.

Upon its completion, the airport will be able to handle more than six million passengers annually, and have a 3.8km-long runway to accommodate large aircraft such as Boeing 747s. By 2026, the second runway will be built to allow the operation of the Airbus A380.

Thanh said the airport project will be a key one for the development of the Van Don Economic Zone, helping attract investors to the island.

The zone has been given priority in the country's development agenda. It includes a casino project with an estimated investment of between 4 billion USD and 5 billion USD that is scheduled to open in 2019.

As one of the key projects in Van Don Economic Zone, Van Don International Airport is expected to help boost tourism in Ha Long Bay and Van Don Island.-VNA