Hanoi, October 4, 2025 – The Europe Today: The under-construction Long Thành International Airport is set to become Vietnam’s primary hub for international travel when it opens in the first half of 2026, taking over most overseas flights and a portion of domestic routes to Ho Chi Minh City and nearby regions, the Ministry of Construction (MoC) has announced.
According to the tentative operational framework for Long Thành and Tân Sơn Nhất airports, 80 per cent of international flights will be routed through Long Thành, while the remaining 20 per cent will continue to land at Tân Sơn Nhất International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City. Tân Sơn Nhất will continue to handle the majority of domestic flights, accounting for 90 per cent, and manage around 10 per cent of international arrivals.
The government plans to review and adjust air traffic allocations every five years, based on actual operating conditions.
In addition to international flights exceeding 1,000 km, Long Thành is expected to serve 10–12 per cent of passengers on major domestic routes, including the busy Hà Nội–Ho Chi Minh City and Đà Nẵng–Ho Chi Minh City corridors. The operational plan for domestic flights will also take into account the preferences of Vietnamese carriers.
A dedicated task force will oversee preparations for Long Thành’s launch. The Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV) has been collaborating with international advisor Incheon Airport Consortium (IAC) to develop a detailed management and operations strategy aimed at maximising investment efficiency.
IAC has formulated a concept of operations (CONOPS) and a master plan for the airport’s opening, including a comprehensive assessment of traffic distribution between Tân Sơn Nhất and Long Thành. Following its recommendations, regular international flights currently operating at Tân Sơn Nhất will gradually be shifted to Long Thành to streamline management and optimise resources, supporting the goal of establishing Long Thành as a regional transit hub of international standards.
The MoC emphasized that the Long Thành project is a national priority with multiple complex components. Investors are accelerating construction to meet the opening deadline, focusing on ensuring a smooth transition from construction to operations and effective coordination between the two airports.
Further evaluations will be conducted to refine the balance of international and domestic services at both airports, ensuring efficient operation of Vietnam’s twin air hubs, the ministry added.
