Long Thanh Airport: Vietnam’s $16 Billion Gateway to the Future (2026) | Indochine Chic

Long Thanh Airport

vietnam’s $16 billion gateway to the future · updated march 2026

phase 1 opening late 2026 · 25 million passengers · 40km east of ho chi minh city

travelers investors aviation enthusiasts

Project scale

5,000 hectares · $16 billion

Approved by the National Assembly in 2015, Long Thanh International Airport represents Vietnam’s most ambitious infrastructure project to date, with a total investment of $16 billion across three phases. When fully completed in 2050, it will be among the top 20 busiest airports globally, handling 100 million passengers annually. Phase 1 opens late 2026 with a 4,000m runway, 373,000 m² terminal, and capacity for 25 million passengers per year. The airport is designed to 4F standard, accommodating the world’s largest aircraft including A380 and B777-9.

Tan Son Nhat crisis

45 million passengers vs 25M design capacity

Tan Son Nhat International Airport was designed for 25 million passengers/year when the international terminal opened in 2007. In 2025, it handled over 45 million passengers—nearly double its design capacity. The consequences are severe: chronic overcrowding, flight delays averaging 45 minutes, rejection of 30+ airline requests for new routes, and no room for cargo expansion despite 15% annual growth. Long Thanh will absorb this overflow and provide room for Vietnam’s aviation growth, projected at 8‑10% annually through 2035.

Phasing & timeline

Phase 1 (2026) · Phase 2 (2035) · Full build (2050)

Phase 1: 25 million passengers, 1 runway, 44 aircraft stands, operational November 2026. Phase 2 (2035): capacity increases to 50 million, second runway added. Full build-out (2050): 100 million passengers, 4 runways, 4 terminals, dedicated cargo city. Total area of 5,000 hectares makes it larger than Singapore’s Changi Airport. Construction progress reached 78% as of March 2026, with 15,000 workers and 3,000 machines operating around the clock to meet the deadline.

4F classification

Basalt soil challenge

engineering feat

The site was once characterized by red basalt soil and rubber plantations, presenting critical engineering challenges due to high soil moisture and limited load-bearing capacity. Hundreds of millions of cubic meters of soil were excavated, leveled, and reinforced. An underground drainage system ensures stable foundations. To control red dust spreading over kilometers, contractors excavated ten water retention ponds and maintain continuous moisture spraying across the entire construction site. This massive landfilling process laid the foundation for the lotus‑inspired terminal.

Expressway (fastest)

35‑50 minutes · $20‑35

HCMC – Long Thanh – Dau Giay Expressway expanded to 8‑10 lanes (completed 2025). Travel time: 35‑45 minutes non‑peak, 50‑60 minutes rush hour. Taxi (Mai Linh, Vinasun): $25‑35. Ride‑hailing (Grab): $20‑30. Private car with driver: $30‑40. The expressway connects directly to District 2 (Thu Duc City) and continues to District 1 via Mai Chi Tho Boulevard and the upcoming Thu Thiem Tunnel 2 (completion 2027).

Express bus

$5‑7 · 50‑60 minutes

Seven new bus routes from June 2026 connect Long Thanh with HCMC. Key terminals: Tan Son Nhat Airport, new Mien Dong Bus Station, Sai Gon Bus Station. Route: Long Thanh Airport ↔ Pham Ngu Lao Street (Backpacker Area) / 23/9 Park (District 1). Frequency every 20‑30 minutes (5:00‑24:00). Undercarriage storage for suitcases. Stops: Suoi Tien Theme Park, Thu Duc Market, Eastern Bus Station, Ben Thanh Market.

budget option

Metro link (future)

2030 completion · $3‑5

HCMC Metro Line 1 extension (Ben Thanh – Suoi Tien – Long Thanh). Feasibility completed, funding approved ($1.2 billion), construction 2027‑2030. Travel time 30‑35 minutes projected. Interchange with existing Metro Line 1 at Suoi Tien station. Until metro completion, a dedicated express bus rapid transit (BRT) lane with signal priority operates along the expressway corridor (2026 interim solution).

Private transfers & premium

limousine $45‑70 · helicopter $800‑1,200

Luxury limousine (Toyota Alphard, Lexus LX) with meet‑and‑greet: $45‑60. Hotel shuttles from upscale properties (Reverie Saigon, Park Hyatt) $50‑70. Motorbike taxi (Xe Om) via Grab: $15‑20 (light luggage only). VIP helicopter transfer under development: 15 minutes, estimated $800‑1,200.

Comparison table

all modes

Taxi: 35‑50 min / $20‑35 / on‑demand. Express bus: 50‑60 min / $5‑7 / every 20‑30 min. Private limo: 35‑45 min / $45‑70 / pre‑booked. Metro (2030+): 30‑35 min / $3‑5 / every 6‑8 min. Motorbike: 40‑55 min / $15‑20 / on‑demand. Pro tip: pre‑book hotel transfer or reputable taxi (Mai Linh, Vinasun). Avoid unlicensed touts. Download Grab app for transparent pricing.

New direct long‑haul routes

US, Europe, Australia

With its 4,000m runway (longest in Vietnam) and Category III landing system, Long Thanh can handle A380, B777‑9, B747‑8 without restriction. Confirmed/planned routes: North America – Los Angeles (United, Vietnam Airlines), San Francisco, New York JFK (2027), Vancouver (Air Canada 2027). Europe – London Heathrow (British Airways), Paris CDG (Air France), Frankfurt (Lufthansa), Munich, Amsterdam (KLM). Middle East – Dubai (Emirates A380), Doha (Qatar Airways), Abu Dhabi (Etihad). Australia – Sydney, Melbourne (Qantas, Jetstar), Brisbane, Perth, Auckland (2028).

Tourism corridors

eastern coastal · Mekong · highlands

The airport’s location east of HCMC creates natural circuits: Eastern Coastal Circuit (3‑5 days): Long Thanh → Vung Tau (beach, 1.5h) → Phan Thiet/Mui Ne (sand dunes, 3h) → Nha Trang. Western Mekong Circuit (2‑3 days): Long Thanh → Can Tho (Mekong capital, 3h) → Cai Rang floating market → Phu Quoc. Highlands Circuit (3‑4 days): Long Thanh → Bao Loc (tea plantations) → Da Lat (hill station, 4h). Historic Circuit: Long Thanh → Bien Hoa → Cu Chi Tunnels.

disperses visitor flow

Tourism infrastructure

28 new hotels · 6,500+ rooms

International hotel brands (Marriott, Hilton, Accor, IHG) planning 28 properties within 15km of airport. Tourist information centers with multilingual staff (English, Chinese, Korean, Japanese, French) at arrivals hall. Car rental counters: Avis, Hertz, Budget from $45/day. One‑stop tour booking counters for Southern Vietnam itineraries. Dedicated tourist police team. By 2035, an estimated 35‑40% of international visitors to Southern Vietnam will arrive via Long Thanh (25‑28 million annually).

Economic impact

120,000+ jobs · 3.5‑4.5% of GDP by 2050

Phase 1 employment: 12,000 direct (airlines, retail, security), 35,000 construction‑related, 18,000 logistics, 25,000 hospitality, 15,000 retail, 15,000+ indirect supply chain. By 2050 total jobs exceed 350,000. GDP contribution breakdown: direct airport operations $2.5‑3bn, tourism spending $8‑10bn, logistics/trade $4‑5bn, industrial development $6‑8bn annually. The Long Thanh – Nhon Trach Special Economic Zone (5,300ha) attracted 42 investors with $3.8bn committed capital as of Q1 2026.

Land value appreciation

2020‑2026 increases

Long Thanh district (airport zone): +180‑220% ($800‑1,200/m²). Nhon Trach district: +90‑130% ($450‑700/m²). Bien Hoa City: +45‑65% ($1,200‑1,800/m²). HCMC – Dong Nai corridor (District 9, Thu Duc): +65‑95% ($2,500‑4,000/m²). Vung Tau (coastal city): +40‑55% ($1,800‑3,000/m²). Data sources: Savills Vietnam, CBRE.

land rush

Infrastructure driving values

metro · expressways · ring roads

Ben Thanh – Suoi Tien Metro Line (opened 2024) provides direct connection to HCMC center. HCMC – Long Thanh – Dau Giay Expressway expanded to 8‑10 lanes (2025). Ring Road 3 & 4 connecting to Binh Duong, Long An, and Western provinces (partial opening 2026, full 2028). Bien Hoa – Vung Tau Expressway under construction (70% complete, due 2027). Thu Thiem Tunnel 2 connecting District 1 to Thu Duc (2027).

Investment outlook

industrial land rents +12‑15% annually

According to CBRE Vietnam, industrial land rents in Dong Nai have increased 12‑15% annually since 2022 and are projected to continue at 8‑10% through 2030 due to airport‑driven demand. The airport will shift economic gravity eastward; districts like Nhon Trach, Long Thanh, and Nhon Trach are poised for industrial and commercial boom. Land values in these areas have already appreciated 80‑200% since 2020.

New economic zones

Long Thanh – Nhon Trach SEZ

5,300‑hectare special economic zone being developed to attract: logistics parks and free trade zones (3 zones planned), high‑tech manufacturing (electronics, aerospace components), export processing zones, international distribution centers, aviation services and MRO facilities. 42 investors have registered interest with total committed capital exceeding $3.8 billion.

frequently asked questions

Long Thanh International Airport Phase 1 is scheduled to open in late 2026 (target November), with an initial capacity of 25 million passengers per year. The first ceremonial flight landed on December 19, 2025, and final construction is in its sprint with 15,000 workers on site.

Long Thanh Airport is located approximately 40 kilometers east of Ho Chi Minh City’s District 1 center, about 35‑45 minutes via the expanded HCMC – Long Thanh – Dau Giay Expressway. By express bus, travel time is 50‑60 minutes.

Options include taxi ($25‑35, 35‑50 min), express bus ($5‑7, 50‑60 min), private limousine ($45‑70), and future metro link (post‑2030). The expressway connects directly to District 2 and District 1. Seven bus routes will operate from opening day.

Confirmed and planned airlines include Vietnam Airlines, United (LAX), British Airways (LHR), Air France (CDG), Lufthansa (FRA), Emirates (DXB A380), Qatar Airways (DOH), Qantas (SYD/MEL), and many more. Long Thanh will handle 80% of international flights for Southern Vietnam.

Phase 1 alone will create 120,000+ direct and indirect jobs. By 2050, the airport is projected to contribute 3.5‑4.5% of Vietnam’s GDP through direct operations, tourism, logistics, and industrial development. Land values in surrounding districts have already appreciated 80‑220% since 2020.

No, Tan Son Nhat will continue serving domestic routes and some regional flights after 2026, while Long Thanh handles long‑haul international and a growing share of regional traffic. The dual‑airport system will improve overall capacity and efficiency for Southern Vietnam.

recommended hotels near long thanh & HCMC

Pullman Saigon Centre

Ho Chi Minh City

5‑star, kid‑friendly buffet, babysitting, central location, 40 min to Long Thanh.

Mai House Saigon

District 3, HCMC

Boutique luxury, colonial style, pool, fine dining, airport transfers available.

Vinpearl Long Thanh

Dong Nai

Conveniently located 10 min from airport, pool, conference facilities, modern rooms.

The Reverie Saigon

District 1, HCMC

Ultra‑luxury, Italian design, rooftop bar, limousine transfers, 40 min to airport.

Landmark Residence

Thu Duc City (near expressway)

Serviced apartments, ideal for families, direct expressway access, 25 min to Long Thanh.

Melissa Villas & Spa

Nhon Trach, Dong Nai

Boutique villas near airport, garden setting, free shuttle upon request.

Long Thanh Airport

key facts

travel times to HCMC

transport costs (USD)

project timeline