Phase 1 of Long Thanh International Airport set for commercial operation in late 2026

The Standing Committee of the Government has set a new deadline for the commercial operation of phase 1 of Long Thanh International Airport, targeting the fourth quarter of 2026. Construction is required to be completed no later than the third quarter of the same year.

Construction of the passenger terminal at Long Thanh Airport Phase 1. Photo: Pham Tung

Many bidding packages nearing completion

The Long Thanh Airport project comprises 4 component projects, with Component Project 1 regarding the construction of headquarters of state management agencies; Component Project 2 on air traffic control; Component Project 3 on essential airport facilities; and Component Project 4 on ground service facilities.

According to the Ministry of Construction, as of late March 2026, Component Projects 1, 2, and 4 were largely on schedule and expected to meet planned deadlines. For Component Project 3 — the most important one of the airport project — three packages have been completed, while 12 others remain under construction.

Among the 12 bidding packages currently under construction, according to Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV) - the investor, some bidding packages have a large volume of completed work and can be completed from now until June 2026. Specifically, package 4.6 (covering the construction and installation of runway, taxiway, aircraft apron) and package 4.11 (wastewater treatment plant) are expected to complete the remaining construction in April 2026. For package 4.11, the plant is expected to begin trial operation in early May 2026. Meanwhile, package 4.7 (aircraft aprons, passenger terminals); and package 4.9 (fuel supply system) and package 4.12 (second runway) are also expected to be completed before June 2026.

According to ACV, for Component Project 3, the total value of completed construction work has reached over 64 trillion VND, achieving 74% of the contracted value.

Meanwhile, package 5.11 (installation and supply of airport management system equipment); package 7.8 (construction and installation of equipment for cargo terminal 1 and remaining auxiliary facilities); and package 11.5 (parking garage) are also planned for completion between July and October 2026.

Increasing workforce to complete important bidding packages

For Component Project 3, package 4.8 (internal airport traffic and technical infrastructure); package 5.10 (construction of passenger terminal) are large-volume bidding packages that determine the overall progress of the entire project. These are also the two bidding packages at risk of being delayed compared to the plan.

Construction of the access road to the passenger terminal of Long Thanh Airport Phase 1. Photo: Pham Tung

Currently, for bidding package 4.8, the contractor consortium has mobilized over 2,000 construction workers. The total value of completed work has reached over 6.1 trillion VND. Of this, the value of construction items reached nearly 5 trillion VND; for MEPF items (electrical cabinets, transformers, pumps, lights, air conditioners, cameras, electrical cables, various pipes) to be installed for the bidding package, the value of equipment already delivered to the site is nearly 1.2 trillion VND, and 556 billion VND currently on order and being delivered.

According to ACV, immediately after the Lunar New Year 2026, the unit worked with the contractor consortium to accelerate the progress of the remaining work.

For bidding package 5.10, the contractor consortium has mobilized over 3,600 personnel and more than 1,000 machines and equipment for construction. The package has basically completed reinforced concrete structures, roof steel structures, glass curtain walls, etc. The total value of completed work has reached over 28.4 trillion VND. ACV is continuing to coordinate with relevant parties to address outstanding issues (reviewing legal documents, design documents, etc.) to find solutions to overcome difficulties for the contractor and accelerate progress.

Deputy Minister of Construction Pham Minh Ha stated: The difficulty in accelerating the progress of packages for Component Project 3, especially packages 4.8 and 5.10, is the shortage of construction workforce. In addition, acceptance and payment efforts have been delayed. On the other hand, due to the impact of the Middle East conflict, fuel prices have increased, leading to higher prices for supplies, materials, equipment, fuel, as well as construction costs for the project's packages.

According to calculations, the human resources currently needed for the construction of Long Thanh Airport are approximately 14,000 people. However, to date, only about 9,000 officials and workers have been mobilized to work at the construction site.

In Notice No. 166/TB-VPCP, dated April 2, 2026, from the Government Office regarding the conclusions of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh at the inspection of the progress of Long Thanh Airport Project Phase 1 and connecting transport routes at the end of March 2026, the Prime Minister also assigned the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Construction to immediately establish working groups to thoroughly resolve issues related to the payment for completed work of the project and the supply and prices of raw materials, fuel, and construction materials for Long Thanh Airport Project.

By Pham Tung -- Translated by Mai Nga, Thu Ha