127 hectares of sea to be reclaimed for central Vietnam island airport

The central province of Quang Ngai plans to reclaim over 127 hectares of sea area to develop Ly Son Airport on the island district of Ly Son.

Located about 17 nautical miles off the mainland, Ly Son is one of the top island attractions to visit in Vietnam. It covers approximately 10 square kilometers and has a population of about 22,000.

The district consists of two islands: Dao Lon (Large Island) and Dao Be (Small Island). It is geologically notable for 10 ancient volcanic craters, three of which are submerged.

According to the 1:2000 subdivision plan for the Ly Son Urban Area, announced by the provincial Department of Construction on Wednesday, the airport will span 161 hectares in An Hai commune.

The sea reclamation is considered essential due to the island’s limited land area and relatively high population density. To meet technical requirements and ensure aviation safety for takeoff and landing, along with providing adequate space for critical airport infrastructure, land expansion through sea reclamation has been deemed necessary.

This solution aligns with the province’s overall planning strategy and has been incorporated into both the general and detailed subdivision plans for the Ly Son Urban Area, which have already received approvals.

According to the Department of Construction, the province’s 2021-2030 development plan with a vision to 2050, and the master plan for the Dung Quat Economic Zone through 2045, both approved by the Prime Minister, designate Ly Son Airport as a dual-use (military and civilian) facility, classified as 4C under the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) standards.

The airport is expected to handle three to 3.5 million passengers annually, capable of accommodating aircraft types such as Airbus A320, A321, and equivalents.

The province plans the construction of airport infrastructure and associated facilities including a logistics hub, an integrated road network, and an electric tram line connecting the terminal to other functional zones across the island.

During a recent meeting with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, Quang Ngai province proposed that the government provide maximum financial support to invest in the Ly Son Airport project under the BOT (build-operate-transfer) model.

The Prime Minister assigned the Quang Ngai People’s Committee to prepare an investment policy draft for the project under a public-private partnership (PPP) model.

The provincial Urban Development Program Evaluation Council recently submitted its assessment report to the Quang Ngai People’s Committee regarding the Ly Son Urban Development Program to 2030, with a vision to 2050.

Under the program, between 2026 and 2030, Ly Son is expected to meet the criteria for a tier-4 urban area, with phase 1 of the airport development prioritized and allocated a central budget of VND1 trillion ($40 million). The second phase, scheduled for 2031-2035, will require an additional VND1 trillion.