Vietnam fast-tracks second phase of Long Thanh International Airport expansion

Vietnam is accelerating the second phase of the Long Thanh International Airport project in Dong Nai province, moving up the construction of a third runway and a second passenger terminal.

The Ministry of Construction has directed the Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV) to begin preparations for the expansion, which features a design capacity of 25 million passengers per year. The government submitted a proposal to the National Assembly Standing Committee in December 2025 to adjust the investment policy and fast-track the project ahead of its original 2028–2032 schedule.

Officials said the early start will allow the project to leverage existing personnel and machinery from Phase 1, reducing overall costs and shortening construction time. The decision also responds to forecasts showing that air passenger traffic is growing faster than previously anticipated.

The Ministry of Construction has tasked the ACV with ensuring sufficient capital is available for the expansion.

Commercial operations for Phase 1 of the airport are expected to begin in June 2026. Several components of the first phase were completed and inaugurated last month.

Vietnam is doubling down on its aviation ambitions, signaling a strategic pivot to fast-track the second phase of the Long Thanh International Airport project before the initial phase has even reached full operational capacity. This aggressive acceleration reflects Hanoi’s high-stakes gamble on a robust post-2026 economic recovery and its desire to secure a competitive foothold against regional incumbents in Singapore and Bangkok.

By pulling forward the development timeline from the original 2028 target, the government is effectively betting on a high-growth trajectory. The move to overlap construction phases is framed as a matter of economic efficiency; by leveraging the machinery, labor, and logistics already deployed for Phase 1, authorities aim to drive down marginal costs and mitigate the environmental impact of a prolonged, fragmented construction cycle.

However, the strategy introduces substantial execution risks. Large-scale infrastructure projects in Vietnam have historically been plagued by bureaucratic bottlenecks, chronic delays, and significant cost overruns. Entrusting the Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV) with the simultaneous management of two massive, overlapping development phases will test the limits of the country’s project coordination and administrative capacity.

Securing the necessary liquidity remains the most immediate hurdle. While the Ministry of Construction has mandated that the ACV "arrange sufficient capital," the feasibility of mobilizing such vast sums remains uncertain amid volatile global financial conditions. Ultimately, the success of this early expansion will hinge on two critical variables: the state’s ability to maintain fiscal discipline and the ACV’s capacity to navigate an increasingly complex management landscape. If successful, Long Thanh could redefine Southeast Asian logistics; if not, it risks becoming a cautionary tale of overextension.

The expansion of Long Thành International Airport is set to transform the travel experience for Vietnamese Americans returning home, especially those with family in the southeastern provinces. As a modern alternative to the chronic congestion at Tân Sơn Nhất, this new hub will significantly cut down on transit times and likely pave the way for more direct flights from the United States. These infrastructure improvements will make it easier than ever for the overseas community to maintain their vital connections to Vietnam.