Addressing outstanding issues to ensure the progress of the Long Thanh International Airport project

The Government Office issued Announcement No. 166/TB-VPCP dated 02 April 2026, summarizing Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s conclusions following an inspection of the progress of the Long Thanh International Airport project (Phase 1) and the connecting transport routes.

The Long Thanh International Airport project is a national key project with broad socio-economic significance for Vietnam’s aviation sector, Ho Chi Minh City, and the Southeast region. The Prime Minister noted that the project was studied and prepared carefully before implementation, taking just over two years from the groundbreaking in August 2023 to the inauguration and the first technical flight on 19 December 2025.

Prime Minister’s assessment and review requirements

On behalf of the Government, the Prime Minister praised the efforts, responsibility, and creativity of ministries, localities, the investor, the contractor consortium, consulting and supervision units, and engineers and workers on site who overcame difficulties and worked around the clock to achieve recent results.

The Prime Minister ordered a review and assessment of the project’s effectiveness, with a focus on clarifying benefits from non-aeronautical services and the aviation services ecosystem, including services-tourism-urban-logistics, the aviation economy, security and national defense, and the country’s position. Based on the review, relevant solutions should be proposed to maximize the project’s efficiency.

Accelerating major works for early operations

Based on reports and on-site inspections, the Prime Minister directed ministries and relevant agencies to accelerate major works. The air traffic control tower and the Air Traffic Management Center (ATMC), which have basically been completed, are intended to serve the first technical flight on 19 December 2025.

Remaining works to be completed include infrastructure connections, fire protection, environmental hygiene, and the surrounding landscape to ensure a bright, green, clean, modern, and civilized site.

The runway and taxiways, along with the aircraft parking system, were completed by 19 December 2025 to support the first technical flight. The next priority is finishing the second runway in line with the project and accelerating completion to meet the committed schedule, with current progress reported at over 65%.

Utilities, handover procedures, and component milestones

For fuel supply, electricity, and telecommunications systems, the Prime Minister asked Dong Nai Province and ACV to review and direct investors and contractors to mobilize resources and speed up progress to complete before 30 June 2025, ensuring no impact on the project’s commercial operation.

Completion of connecting infrastructure and fire protection systems is targeted for April 2026. The DATP1 works are largely completed; ministries and agencies are required to review and finalize connecting infrastructure and firefighting handover procedures for use by April 2026.

For other auxiliary components under Component 4 (hangar, cargo terminal, ground service facilities, catering facilities), the Ministry of Construction (MoX) was tasked with directing investors and contractors to accelerate execution to complete according to plan. Priority should be given to elements essential for commercial operation to be completed by August 2026.

The passenger terminal component and some packages under Component 3 are currently reported at over 84% completion. The Prime Minister described this as a critical milestone for achieving commercial operation in Q4 2026.

Payment bottlenecks, compliance, and accountability

The Prime Minister also directed speeding up investigations and handling of violations in project implementation. The Ministry of Public Security was asked to push relevant agencies to accelerate investigations and ensure accountability.

In parallel, the Ministries of Finance and Construction, ACV, and related agencies were directed to address payment bottlenecks to contractors for completed work. The Prime Minister emphasized strict enforcement of the law in cases of violations, embezzlement, and corruption, while ensuring timely payments for completed volumes.

The Ministry of Finance and MoX are to set up task forces to resolve payment bottlenecks and material supply price issues.

Transport connectivity and metro schedule

On transport connectivity, the Prime Minister urged accelerating road links connecting Ho Chi Minh City with Long Thanh International Airport to ensure synchronous operation with the airport. He directed MoX, Ho Chi Minh City authorities, and VEC to focus resources and speed up construction.

The Prime Minister also directed starting the Thủ Thiêm–Long Thành metro line by June 2026. He further requested accelerating Metro Line 2 (Tham Lương–Bến Thành) with a new start in early 2026, and Đồng Nai authorities to expedite Metro Line 1 (Bến Thành–Suối Tiên) extending through Đồng Nai, with a 2026 start. The two provinces are required to coordinate to ensure alignment and connectivity.

Regional hub and “Long Thanh Airport City” plan

The Prime Minister assigned Đồng Nai provincial authorities to lead, in collaboration with MoX, MoF, and other related agencies, to study the creation of a regional passenger and logistics transfer hub within the airport area in 2026.

He also directed development of a modern and synchronized aviation services ecosystem, including lodging, hotels, convention centers, commerce, healthcare, training, maintenance, logistics, duty-free zones, and financial services, aiming to form the “Long Thanh Airport City” as directed in Announcement 420-TB/VPTW dated 17 November 2025.

ACV restructuring deadline

The Prime Minister directed the Ministry of Finance to promptly complete the restructuring of ACV’s apparatus by 15 April 2026.

Source: Government reports and site visits at the Long Thanh airport project site.