HCM City (VNA) – Aviation experts gathered at an international symposium in Ho Chi Minh City on September 11 to discuss strategies for optimising operations at Tan Son Nhat and Long Thanh International Airports, aiming to build a dual-gateway system that can position Vietnam as a leading regional aviation hub.
The talks focused on defining the roles and coordinating operations of the two airports to maximise resources and markets, outlining smart operations to ensure safety, security, and flexibility, enhancing multimodal logistics connectivity, and developing an aviation, urban and logistics ecosystem based on advanced technology and high-quality human resources.
Director of the Vietnam Aviation Academy Nguyen Thi Hai Hang said that the two airports would form a “twin port” system serving as Vietnam’s national aviation gateway and a driver for trade, investment, tourism, and logistics development. However, she clarified the challenges to operating Long Thanh International Airport in Dong Nai province.
Incheon Airport Consortium - the Airports Corporation of Vietnam’s partner emphasised Long Thanh’s key role in the development of the socio-economy and aviation system in Southeast Asia. Designed as a major aviation transit hub, the airport will have a capacity of 100 million passengers annually. The consortium proposed either transferring all international flights to Long Thanh or allocating traffic between the two airports. The first option would streamline operations and reduce duplication, while the second risks confusing passengers and weakening competitiveness.
International traffic at Long Thanh is forecast to reach 2 million passengers in 2029, 5 million in 2043, and nearly 92 million in 2060, with annual growth of 4.52%.
Connectivity between the two airports is a major challenge. Director of the Academy of Construction Strategy and Cadres Training Pham Minh Hai said congestion is frequent on National Highway No.51 and the HCM City – Long Thanh expressway, while there is no direct rail connection. Against this backdrop, he urged prioritised investments in such projects as the Bien Hoa – Vung Tau expressway and expansion of the HCM City – Long Thanh expressway.
Architect Ngo Viet Nam Son proposed a phased approach, initially assigning Long Thanh to handle cargo to ease congestion at Tan Son Nhat airport. Once the transport infrastructure at Long Thanh is improved, integrated with free trade zones, ring roads, and metro lines, Long Thanh could serve as a major Southeast Asian hub.
Director of the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam Uong Viet Dung underscored the need for a clear transition roadmap to ensure parallel operations with Tan Son Nhat, attract passengers and businesses, and guarantee safety.
With Tan Son Nhat over capacity, Long Thanh is expected to become a new growth engine, helping strengthen regional connectivity and elevate Ho Chi Minh City as a financial and economic hub in the region./.
VNA
