Long Thanh Airport accelerates toward completion

Phase 1 of the Long Thanh International Airport project is entering a critical final stretch to meet its target of commencing commercial operations in December 2026.

According to the project schedule, less than two months remain to complete construction and installation works, conduct operational trials and prepare the airport for official operations.

Accelerating work on four key contract packages

According to Nguyen Duc Hung, Acting General Director of Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV), the investor responsible for Component Project 3, which covers essential airport facilities, the component comprises 16 main construction packages. Of these, 12 are generally on track to meet the schedule requirements for bringing the project into operation in December 2026. Commercial operations are expected to begin on December 24, 2026.

Workers carry out construction work on the passenger terminal at Long Thanh Airport. Photo: Pham Tung.

According to ACV, as of mid-October 2026, the value of work completed under Component Project 3 had reached nearly VND74 trillion, equivalent to more than 85% of the total contract value. Of the 16 main construction packages, four had been fully completed, while several key packages had achieved more than 90% completion.

In particular, four important packages remain on the project's critical path, including Package 5.10, covering the passenger terminal; Package 4.8, covering the airport's internal road network  and technical infrastructure; Package 7.8, covering Cargo Terminal No. 1; and Package 11.5, covering the parking facility. Efforts must focus on resolving difficulties, mobilizing additional resources and accelerating construction to meet the target of bringing the project into operation in December 2026.

To keep these packages on schedule, ACV is working with the Long Thanh Airport Project Management Board and relevant units to review each work item, adjust the scope of work and transfer certain tasks to other contractors with sufficient capacity to carry them out. ACV is also strengthening schedule monitoring and coordinating with contractors on technical acceptance inspections, the completion of documentation and licensing procedures, ensuring that all facilities brought into operation fully meet safety and quality requirements.

A representative of the Vietur consortium, the contractor responsible for Package 5.10, said that consortium members were concentrating their manpower on completing the remaining work under the package. Vietur has pledged to accelerate construction and bring the project into operation in December 2026, in line with the target.

Meanwhile, Truong Son Construction Corporation, the lead member of the contractor consortium for Package 4.8, said that work under the package remained generally on schedule. The consortium has proposed that the city's People's Committee direct stone producers to extend their operating hours to ensure an adequate supply of construction stone for the works. It has also called on the relevant authorities to take measures to address the supply of asphalt needed for cold-mix asphalt works under the package. According to Truong Son Construction Corporation, approximately 200,000 tonnes of cold-mix asphalt will be required for Package 4.8 during October, November and early December 2026 to complete the remaining works.

Ready for the first day of operations

Alongside construction and equipment installation across the contract packages, ACV and relevant units are making preparations for Long Thanh Airport to begin operations.

Equipment installation work at the Long Thanh Airport passenger terminal.

ACV is working with consultants from Incheon Airport in South Korea to develop 55 operational scenarios. In September 2026, two of these scenarios were tested with the participation of relevant units. The aim is to complete inspections of the systems supporting the passenger journey before the airport opens, ensuring safety, quality and continuity throughout operations.

Under the plan for Long Thanh Airport's passenger terminal, the Western wing and central area will be prioritized for completion during the initial phase of operations. These areas will be equipped with four check-in islands to serve both domestic and international flights. The remaining systems and operational areas will then be brought into service according to a phased plan for expanding the airport's operations.

From September to December 2026, ACV is organizing three rounds of integrated operational readiness and airport trials (ORAT), drawing on international experience and recommendations from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). The trials focus on four main areas such as passenger services and connecting transport; baggage handling; airfield operations; and aviation security and safety, together with information technology.

According to ACV, with thorough and detailed preparations covering operational procedures, system testing and the completion of legal procedures, Long Thanh Airport will be ready from its first day of operation to serve as a modern, safe gateway for trade and travel that meets international standards.

ACV is also urgently completing operational documentation and related materials for submission to the competent authorities for approval. In November 2026, key documents are expected to be reviewed and approved by the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam and relevant state management agencies. These include the airport operating certificate, licences for service provision, the airport operations manual, the T1 terminal operations manual and the aviation security programme. These approvals are expected to help achieve the target of bringing Long Thanh Airport into operation in December 2026.

By Pham Tung - Translated by Mai Nga, Thu Ha