Khanh Hoa province to build $288 mln Van Phong airport

Van Phong Airport in the south-central province of Khanh Hoa will be built at a cost of nearly VND7 trillion ($288.4 million), with an annual capacity of 2.5 million passengers and nine aprons by 2030.

Under the Van Phong Airport plan for 2021-2030, with a vision to 2050, the airport will have a length of 3,050 meters and be classified as 4E under International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards. An aerodrome with a reference code 4E will accommodate aircraft with a “Reference Field Length” of 1800 meters and above and a wingspan of up to 65 m.

If volumes of passengers and cargo increase, the airport will be expanded to a capacity of 10 million passengers per year with 27 aprons.

To be located in Van Thang commune, Van Ninh district, the project will be implemented under the public-private partnership (PPP) model with a build-operate-transfer (BOT) contract.

According to the consulting unit, the construction of Van Phong Airport is in line with the national airport development master plan for the 2021-2030 period, with a vision to 2050; the master plan of Khanh Hoa province; and the adjusted general plan for Van Phong Economic Zone approved by the Prime Minister.

Nguyen Tan Tuan, Chairman of the Khanh Hoa provincial People's Committee, assigned the provincial Department of Transport to coordinate with the consulting unit to complete a project report on its investment plan to be approved by the PM.

He also requested the consulting unit to add airplane fuel storage tanks to the master plan, along with cargo warehouses and aircraft repair areas; and evaluate and clarify project investment efficiency.

In late March, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha signed a decision approving the adjusted general plan for Van Phong Economic Zone until 2040, with a vision to 2050. Under which, it will be developed into a sea-based economic hub with seaports, urban areas, an airport, and casinos. It will have 19 subdivisions covering a total of 75,166 hectares with zones designated for the development of seaports, logistics services, urban areas, and resorts.

The area designated for the airport covers about 500 hectares in the north of Van Phong (Van Thang commune, Van Ninh district).

Van Phong is one of three key economic zones in Khanh Hoa province. According to the master plan of Khanh Hoa province, the 150,000-hectare zone plays a leading role in attracting investment and is a driving force for the economic development of neighboring regions and the whole country.

Khanh Hoa plans to attract billions of U.S. dollars into 27 major projects at Van Phong EZ during the 2023-2024 period.

So far this year, the province has attracted 17 non-state budget investment projects worth nearly VND101 trillion ($4.16 billion), with the bulk of it coming from four mega projects.

According to the provincial People's Committee, the mega projects are the VND85.29 trillion ($3.64 billion) "Urban Area by Cam Ranh Bay"; the VND7.45 trillion ($307.25 million) Vinpearl Phu Quy residential area; a VND3.76 trillion ($155.07 million) social housing area in Cam Nghia ward, Cam Ranh town; and a VND3.25 trillion ($134 million) plant to treat and recycle household waste in Cam Lam district.