Traffic Caution Urged as Vietnam Prepares to Launch Long Thanh Airport

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Photo courtesy of Toui Tre

 

As Vietnam eagerly anticipates the opening of Long Thanh International Airport, a project that epitomises the nation's lofty aviation ambitions, experts are cautioning against a hurried transition. The new airport, located in Dong Nai Province, is set to begin operations in 2026, yet the potential pitfalls of transferring all international flights from the bustling Tan Son Nhat Airport in Ho Chi Minh City have led to calls for a more measured approach.

 

The Long Thanh International Airport is poised to reshape Vietnam’s aviation footprint. With completion on the horizon by 2025, it promises a state-of-the-art facility designed to meet international travel demands. However, the challenge lies not in its construction but in transitioning operations smoothly. At a seminar hosted by Tuoi Tre newspaper titled ‘Promoting Connectivity between Long Thanh and Ho Chi Minh City’, transport experts emphasised a gradual shift of flights over several years to mitigate potential disruptions.

 

Effective connectivity to Ho Chi Minh City's centre is critical for Long Thanh's success. Without convenient transport links, passengers could face significant inconvenience, leading to increased travel costs and economic losses. Learning from successful transport models in place at mega airports like Incheon in South Korea and Schiphol in the Netherlands, Vietnam aims to establish a robust, multimodal transportation network. This encompasses metro lines, high-speed rails, rapid buses, and potentially waterway links, with an integrated management system to streamline transit.

 

Yet, experts caution against spreading resources too thin. Instead, they advocate for prioritising the most viable infrastructure projects. Senior transport planner Nguyen Dinh Nen suggests a high-speed metro directly linking Tan Son Nhat and Long Thanh, a solution that could effectively handle passenger traffic and transit requirements. Meanwhile, urban planner Hoang Minh Tri proposes an elevated road and monorail along the Nhieu Loc - Thi Nghe Canal, though he acknowledges that a comprehensive metro system may offer more significant economic benefits.

 

Increased capacity at Tan Son Nhat, thanks to the recent opening of Terminal T3, has expanded its passenger handling capabilities to 50 million annually. In 2024, the airport serviced 40 million passengers, indicating that the congestion relief afforded by Long Thanh might not be urgently required until around 2027. Thus, during its initial operations, Long Thanh is expected to act as a supplementary facility, managing overflow from Tan Son Nhat while incorporating itself gradually into the aviation ecosystem.

 

This transition period provides a unique opportunity to refine operational processes at Long Thanh. By avoiding a rush, Vietnam can focus on developing and testing efficient transport connections, ensuring that the integration of Long Thanh into the wider network happens smoothly and without undue stress on passengers. Such meticulous planning is necessary to avoid confusion and safeguard Long Thanh’s reputation as an international hub.

 

The ramifications of an abrupt shift are significant. Transferring flights too quickly, especially in the absence of robust public transport solutions, can drastically increase travel times and costs for millions. A scenario where even 20 million passengers encounter difficulties could translate to annual economic losses amounting to billions of dollars, or trillions of Thai Baht. Such a situation would not only impact individual travellers but could also deter airlines from choosing Long Thanh as a favourable hub.

 

While Tan Son Nhat primarily serves a point-to-point international passenger base, the number of travellers transiting through it to connect to other international destinations is minimal. Concentrating international flights at Long Thanh may not immediately enhance its transit capacity or competitiveness compared to other regional airports. The focus, therefore, should be on developing Long Thanh as a leading destination airport while steadily increasing its capability to handle transiting passengers.

 

The challenge lies in ensuring that Long Thanh effectively serves as a bridge connecting Vietnam to the world, carving out a niche that makes it competitive against established airports in the region.

 

Vietnam’s vision for Long Thanh goes beyond relieving congestion at Tan Son Nhat. It aims to create a world-class travel hub, attracting passengers from across the globe. This involves not just investing in physical infrastructure but also establishing efficient operational practices, ensuring seamless connectivity, and providing superior passenger experiences.

 

Central to this vision is leveraging technology to enhance airport operations, from smart check-ins and baggage handling systems to advanced air traffic management. Additionally, partnerships with international airlines and strategic marketing efforts can position Long Thanh as an attractive gateway to Southeast Asia.

 

Ultimately, the successful integration of Long Thanh International Airport into Vietnam's air transport network hinges on a balanced approach. Patience and careful planning are crucial, ensuring that the airport opens progressively with systems in place to handle its growing role efficiently.

 

By approaching the transition with caution and strategic foresight, Vietnam can build Long Thanh into a prestigious and efficient international hub. Such an approach will not only align with the nation’s aviation aspirations but also contribute significantly to its economic growth and integration into the global travel network. As Vietnam stands on the brink of this aviation milestone, the message from experts is clear: prosperity lies in patience and precision.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Tuoi Tre 2025-08-18