ACV reports Long Thành airport progress as workforce declines due to transfers to other projects offering more stable incomes

ACV (the Vietnam Airports Corporation) reported that progress on the Long Thành airport project is being affected by labor shortages and volatile fuel prices, as workforce transfers to other projects with more stable incomes intensify competition for workers.

Construction status and contract value

Long Thành airport’s Component 3 includes 15 main construction packages. As of April, only three packages have been completed: the fence system, drainage groundwork, and the passenger-terminal pile foundation. The remaining 12 packages are still under construction.

ACV said the accumulated value of completed work is about 64.313 trillion dong out of 86.357 trillion dong in contract value, equivalent to approximately 74.47%.

Workforce decline and payment delays

Labor in most packages has declined. The report highlights reduced staffing in packages 4.8 (technical infrastructure and internal port traffic) and 5.10 (passenger-terminal construction).

According to Phap Luat, the main reason is delays in payment for completed work. Cash-flow delays make it difficult for contractors to pay wages and retain labor. In parallel, large infrastructure projects nationwide have increased labor demand, encouraging workers to move to other sites offering steadier incomes, which has intensified labor competition and reduced contractors’ ability to keep staff.

Recruitment pressure across the sector

Since early 2026, VinCons has announced recruitment of 100,000 workers across various positions. Reported monthly pay ranges include: team-leader roles at 32–41 million dong; skilled trades in Group 2 (masonry, drywall, tiling) at 19–33 million dong; Group 1 (rebar, formwork, concrete, construction) at 16–27 million dong; and general workers at a fixed 14 million dong per month.

Leading contractors, including Coteccons and Hoa Binh Construction (HBC), have also begun active recruitment to support 2026 workloads.

Rising input costs: fuel and materials

Beyond manpower constraints, input costs are increasing. Fuel prices have surged amid tensions in the Middle East, raising equipment operating costs. The site currently mobilizes about 2,500 construction equipment units, most of which depend on fuel.

The report estimates that diesel price increases from around 18,000 to 45,000 dong per liter add roughly 2 billion dong in fuel costs per shift. Transport costs for materials have also risen by 15–25%, as rock, sand, and steel are moved from Dong Nai and Ba Ria–Vung Tau to the site.

Other materials are also becoming more expensive. Asphalt concrete prices are now 40–50% higher per ton than before, continuing to pressure total project costs.

Local government actions and outlook for completion

In response, ACV has urged the Dong Nai Provincial People’s Committee to support stable fuel and material supplies to maintain construction progress, while the investor coordinates with relevant authorities to address issues as they arise.

On April 11, the Dong Nai government directed the Department of Industry and Trade and related units to ensure adequate fuel supply for contractors working on the Long Thành airport project and other key works in the area.

Given the current situation, the government’s target completion timeline set for late 2026 remains challenging, with multiple obstacles ahead.

Related update

A related article also references further updates from the Ministry of Public Security about an ACV case.