Vietnam- emerging as a bucketlist destination, has something in store for every traveller. No matter whether you're someone who loves to hop around beaches & gorge on sea food, or feel like exploring the historical sites, digging into the past - the traveller in you won't ever be dissappointed.
As part of the country's effort to promote and boost the aviation industry, Vietnam strives to have a total of 30 airports by 2030 including 14 international airports, according to a draft plan that the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam has submitted to the Ministry of Transport recently.
Where are the new airports planned?
International airports will be inaugurated in Van Don, Cat Bi, Noi Bai, Tho Xuan, Vinh, Phu Bai, Da Nang, Chu Lai, Cam Ranh, Lien Khuong, Long Thanh, Tan Son Nhat, Can Tho, and Phu Quoc.
Domestic Airports will be in Lai Chau, Dien Bien, Sa Pa, Na San, Dong Hoi, Quang Tri, Phu Cat, Tuy Hoa, Pleiku, Buon Ma Thuot, Phan Thiet, Rach Gia, Ca Mau, and Con Dao.
Two military airports – Thanh Son and Bien Hoa – will be converted to use for both military and civil purposes.
With 10 international airports currently operational in the country, Vietnam's Hanoi International Airport can handle 25 million passengers a year- while Ho Chi Minh City has a capacity of 28 million passengers every year.
The Long Thanh International Airport outside Ho Chi Minh City, which has been under construction since 2021, is the country's latest airport infrastructure investment with more than US$1 billion. The airport would be able to serve 100 million a year once fully operational and become a key transit hub for international passengers.
The country also plans to expand the domestic market by using the Bien Hoa Airport in southern Dong Nai province and the Thanh Son Airport in central Ninh Thuan province for both military and civilian purposes. CAAV is also looking into the possibility of converting some other military airports for civilians, including Yen Bai airport and Gia Lam Airport near the capital Hanoi.
The draft plan of the Aviation Ministry also keeps the Hai Phong International Airport project that was approved in the Prime Minister’s decision dated April 28, 2011.
Vietnam’s aviation industry is expected to fully recover by the end of 2023, with an estimated 80 million passengers and 1.44 million tons of cargo to be transported by air, as per reports.
To conclude, flying to Vietnam is going to get easier in the coming years.
Planning to visit Vietnam soon? Do not miss out on our Vietnam Guide to help you explore the best of the country.
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