Transport connectivity projects race for coordinated operations with Long Thanh Airport

Long Thanh International Airport is scheduled to officially begin operations in December 2026. Against this backdrop, transport infrastructure projects connecting to the airport are entering a critical final stage, with construction being accelerated to ensure they are completed in time for coordinated operations.

The main route of the Bien Hoa–Vung Tau Expressway has been open to traffic since May 2026, and work is being accelerated to complete the remaining sections and bring the entire route into coordinated operation.

Transport connectivity is crucial to ensuring the effective operation and exploitation of Long Thanh International Airport.

Major transport arteries race toward completion

Under the transport connectivity plan for the initial operational phase of Long Thanh International Airport, the road network will play the leading role. Expressways and ring roads will serve as major transport arteries linking the airport with neighboring localities, particularly Ho Chi Minh City.

All four major expressways serving as transport links to Long Thanh International Airport, including the Ho Chi Minh City–Long Thanh–Dau Giay, Ben Luc–Long Thanh, Phan Thiet–Dau Giay and Bien Hoa–Vung Tau—are now open to traffic.

The Ho Chi Minh City–Long Thanh–Dau Giay Expressway is being widened along the section between Ho Chi Minh City and Long Thanh, while the main route of the Bien Hoa–Vung Tau Expressway is operating on a temporary basis.

For the Tan Hiep Interchange, which connects the Ben Luc–Long Thanh Expressway with the Bien Hoa–Vung Tau Expressway, the Department for Roads of Viet Nam has instructed Project Management Board 85 to take the lead and coordinate with the Vietnam Expressway Corporation (VEC) and relevant agencies to urgently complete the interchange. It has also requested the prompt submission for approval of a supplementary traffic organization plan for the interchange. The aim is to ensure safe, uninterrupted traffic connectivity between the component projects and Long Thanh International Airport, allowing all road vehicles eligible to use expressways.

Pham Hong Quang, General Director of the VEC, said contractors were stepping up construction of the Ho Chi Minh City–Long Thanh Expressway Expansion Project. Overall construction progress has reached nearly 73%, and contractors are working to complete the project on schedule to ensure connectivity and serve the airport's operational phase. The project is targeted for substantial completion by the end of 2026, while the Long Thanh Bridge section is scheduled for completion in the first quarter of 2027.

For the Bien Hoa–Vung Tau Expressway Project, construction of component projects 2 and 3 has been substantially completed. Meanwhile, component project 1, developed by Dong Nai City, has reached approximately 98% completion, according to Nguyen Linh, Deputy Director of the Dong Nai City Transport Construction Investment Project Management Board. The investor is directing contractors to accelerate work on the remaining items so the project can officially open to traffic.

Similarly, for component project 3 of Ho Chi Minh City’s Ring Road 3, Dong Nai City is directing contractors to accelerate construction, with completion targeted for the fourth quarter of 2026.

In addition to the expressways and ring roads, Road 25C plays a particularly important role in the road network connecting to Long Thanh International Airport. This major interregional route will connect with Ho Chi Minh City’s Ring Road 3, Cat Lai Bridge and Phu My 2 Bridge, providing a direct link from Ho Chi Minh City to the airport. According to the Dong Nai City People's Committee, construction progress on the Road 25C project section from National Highway 51 to Huong Lo 19 has exceeded 77%. The project is being expedited for completion in November 2026 so it can be put into operation in sync with Long Thanh International Airport.

Ensuring newly completed expressways operate as an integrated network

During an inspection tour of transport connectivity projects and the Long Thanh Airport project in early October 2026, Politburo Member, Standing Deputy Prime Minister Pham Gia Tuc assessed that construction progress on road links between Ho Chi Minh City and Long Thanh International Airport was generally meeting requirements, making it possible for the roads to enter service in sync with the airport. He instructed the Ministry of Construction, the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee, the Dong Nai City People's Committee and VEC to direct contractors to mobilize resources, increase work shifts and accelerate construction while ensuring the committed schedule and quality standards.

Standing Deputy Prime Minister Pham Gia Tuc also called on the relevant agencies to promptly review and finalize traffic organization plans for newly completed expressways opening to traffic in the area. The plans must ensure coordinated and seamless connections, reduce congestion and traffic accidents, and maximize the effectiveness of investment in the projects.

Following the Standing Deputy Prime Minister's directive, the Department for Roads of Viet Nam issued a document in mid-October 2026 requesting that expressway management units in Ho Chi Minh City and Dong Nai City assess their approved traffic organization plans. The agencies were asked to propose timely adjustments to improve connectivity with Long Thanh International Airport, ease congestion and ensure traffic safety. The units are required to implement the existing approved plans while proactively coordinating with traffic police on duty along the routes to monitor and evaluate actual traffic conditions. If adjustments or additions are needed to facilitate connectivity with Long Thanh International Airport or meet other objectives, the management units must make decisions within their authority or submit recommendations to the competent authorities for consideration and approval.

For the Bien Hoa–Vung Tau Expressway Project, the relevant units must urgently complete the remaining items under the component projects.

By Pham Tung - Translated by Mai Nga, Thu Ha