Metro extension to Long Thanh airport receives approval

The Ministry of Construction (MoC) has given in-principle approval to a proposal to extend the Ben Thanh–Suoi Tien metro line to Dong Nai City's administrative center and Long Thanh International Airport, further strengthening rail connectivity between the airport and Ho Chi Minh City.

Dong Nai City has proposed a staggered layout for railway and metro stations in front of Terminal 1 at Long Thanh International Airport.

Under approved master plans, rail links between HCM City and Long Thanh International Airport include the North-South high-speed railway and the Thu Thiem–Long Thanh metro line. To further strengthen regional connectivity, however, Dong Nai City has proposed extending the Ben Thanh–Suoi Tien metro line to the city's administrative center and Long Thanh International Airport, strengthening rail connectivity between Long Thanh International Airport and HCM City

Additional Thu Thiem–Long Thanh metro station under consideration

In an official document signed by Deputy Minister of Construction Bui Xuan Dung, the MoC agreed in principle with the proposal to extend the Ben Thanh–Suoi Tien metro line to Dong Nai City's administrative center and Long Thanh International Airport, saying the plan is consistent with the airport's long-term transport development strategy.

Regarding the connection scheme, Dong Nai People’s Committee had earlier proposed a staggered station arrangement. Under the proposal, the North-South high-speed railway station would be located Northeast of the central axis of Terminal 1 of Long Thanh International Airport, serving as the main transport hub connecting the high-speed railway with Long Thanh International Airport and regional urban metro lines.

Meanwhile, the two metro stations would be located Southwest of the Terminal T1 axis, positioned parallel to each other on either side of the North-South high-speed railway.

The MoC said the proposal generally complies with the principle that stations for different railway lines should be planned independently so they can be built, operated and maintained under separate projects. Nevertheless, the approved plan for the Thu Thiem–Long Thanh metro line includes two stations serving Terminal T1 and Terminal T2, whereas Dong Nai City's proposal currently includes only one metro station on the line.

The ministry therefore requested the municipal People’s Committee to review and update the proposal to ensure consistency with the approved scale of related projects. During the next phase of study, it also urged the Dong Nai City People’s Committee to work closely with the Ho Chi Minh City counterpart and relevant agencies, while coordinating with the Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV) and the Thang Long Project Management Board to ensure compliance with railway technical standards, seamless integration between airport terminals and railway stations, and ensure construction activities do not affect existing operational facilities.

The MoC also asked Dong Nai People’s Committee to update the relevant planning for appraisal and approval in accordance with current regulations should all parties reach agreement on the proposed connection plan.

Railway and metro stations to be linked by pedestrian bridges and underground passages

As part of its proposal for the arrangement of stations within Long Thanh International Airport, the Dong Nai People’s Committee also outlined plans to connect airport passengers with the railway and metro stations.

Under the proposal, passengers using Terminal T1 would access the railway and metro stations via a pedestrian transfer system on the first floor. Connections between Terminal T1 and the Thu Thiem–Long Thanh metro line, the extended Ben Thanh–Suoi Tien metro line and the North-South high-speed railway station would be connected by pedestrian bridges, underground passages or a combination of both. According to the Dong Nai City People's Committee, the specific connection solution for each railway line will be determined during the next design stage, taking into account the spatial layout of Terminal T1, road elevations, parking areas, passenger pick-up and drop-off zones, and airport operational requirements.

In a separate document signed by Ho Van Ha, Vice Chairman of the Dong Nai People's Committee, and sent to the MoC, the municipal People's Committee said the proposed layout would increase the transfer distance by about 400 meters compared with an arrangement in which the stations are aligned directly with Terminal T1.

However, the city said the additional distance could be addressed through transfer corridors, pedestrian bridges, escalators, elevators, moving walkways, covered walkways and clear wayfinding systems during the next design stage, similar to passenger transfer models adopted at many international airports worldwide.

By P. Tung – Translated by M.Nguyet, Thu Ha