Long Thanh Airport: The beating heart of Vietnam’s new aviation era
October 11, 2025
Construction of Long Thanh International Airport (LTH), Vietnam’s largest and most ambitious airport project, is nearing completion, with the airport on track to open by the end of 2025. Groundwork on the greenfield airport site began in 2021.
With technical flights due to commence in December 2025, LTH’s full operational launch is expected to take place in June 2026. On September 26, 2025, LTH marked a significant milestone by conducting its first official calibration flight on a Beechcraft KingAir 300.
ACV currently operates 22 airports nationwide, including nine international hubs and 13 domestic airports. Across its airport portfolio, ACV connects Vietnam to over 200 destinations across five continents. In 2024 alone, ACV served more than 100 million passengers, including 40 million international travellers, marking a 10% increase from 2023.
“We are about more than just managing airports — we are connecting Vietnam to the world,” said Huyen Dieu Do, Senior Specialist, Airport Operations Department, Airports Corporation of Vietnam, at this year’s inter airport Europe in Munich.
“Our mission is to deliver world-class service quality while creating long-term value for both the aviation industry and the nation’s development.
Long Thanh: A new gateway to Southeast Asia
Designed to become a premier aviation hub in the Asia-Pacific region, Long Thanh International Airport will play a pivotal role in alleviating congestion at Ho Chi Minh City’s Tan Son Nhat International Airport.
Phase One of the project, expected to be completed by late 2025, includes a single passenger terminal and one runway capable of handling 25 million passengers annually. Ultimately, when all three phases are completed, Long Thanh will have four terminals and multiple runways to accommodate up to 100 million passengers per year.
The airport’s architectural design, inspired by the lotus as Vietnam’s national flower, reflects both elegance and innovation. The 376,000 sqm terminal, designed by Heerim Architects and Planners, features ten entrances and a central skylight reminiscent of the lotus bloom. Eight check-in islands each feature 28 kiosks equipped with state-of-the-art self-service check-in and bag drop equipment, as well as biometric identification systems.
From its grand central skylight and cascading indoor waterfalls to its lush green squares and commercial zones, Long Thanh will redefine the passenger experience while embodying Vietnamese culture and charm.
Long Thanh International Airport Will Become The New Gateway To Vietnam And A Global Hub-Airport.https://t.co/RoZsTq9vWC pic.twitter.com/XMEr9YyZ6K
— ParametricArchitecture (@parametricarch) August 3, 2023
Nationwide infrastructure expansion
In addition to Long Thanh, ACV is spearheading several major infrastructure upgrades across Vietnam. These include the expansion of Terminal 3 at Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City, increasing capacity by 20 million passengers annually.
Meanwhile, Terminal 2 at Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi will be upgraded to accommodate 15 million passengers per year, addressing northern Vietnam’s growing air travel demand.
Smart airport initiatives are also being rolled out at airports across Vietnam. These include the wider adoption of contactless check-in, facial recognition and automated border control systems to streamline the passenger journey.
Leading the way with green and smart airport solutions
ACV is also positioning itself as a pioneer in sustainable aviation. Under its 2030 sustainability roadmap, ACV aims to achieve net-zero certification by 2030. The corporation is also in the process of converting all airport operations to renewable and electric-powered systems, which it aims to achieve by 2050.
To enhance operational efficiency and environmental performance, ACV is implementing advanced technologies such as an Airport Collaborative Decision-Making (A-CDM) system, which reduces taxi time and carbon emissions. It is the ACV Data Lake, a comprehensive data management system supporting real-time analysis and forecasting.
ACV’s vision for 2050
Looking ahead, ACV, which describes itself as the “heart of dynamic Vietnam,” plans to expand its network to over 30 airports by 2033 and 33 airports by 2050, serving more than 200 million passengers and handling 4 million tonnes of cargo annually. By mid-century, over 90% of Vietnam’s population will have direct access to aviation services.
To realise this vision, Do revealed the Vietnamese government has earmarked $16.4 billion in aviation investments, drawing from state funds, public-private partnerships, and international collaborations.
“Through digital transformation, sustainable growth, and global partnerships, we aim to make Vietnam a leading aviation hub in Asia,” said Do. However, she also stated that this transformation is underpinned by human resources. “Our foundation is our people,” she added.
Why Long Thanh is a symbol of national progress
As Long Thanh nears completion, ACV stands at the heart of Vietnam’s modernisation journey. The project is not merely an infrastructure milestone—it embodies Vietnam’s ambition to soar alongside global aviation leaders like Changi and Incheon.
“We want to sit alongside the key players in the industry,” concluded Do. Long Thanh is our gateway to achieving that goal. It will become the hub for Southeast Asia and the most advanced airport system in the region, providing an unforgettable experience for passengers.”
