Vietnam aims to expand airport network from 22 to 30 by 2030

Vietnam plans to expand its network of airports from 22 to 30 by 2030, and 33 by 2050, the Ministry of Transport (MoT) announced on Friday.

Eight more airports by 2030 would enhance national defense and security, as well as local economic development, MoT Deputy Minister Le Anh Tuan told the announcement ceremony in Hanoi.

“The Ministry of Transport has worked with the Ministry of Defense and localities to review each operational airport, and completed a set of criteria to assess the demand for passenger and cargo transport,” he said.

Tuan asked the Civil Aviation Administration of Vietnam (CAAV) to work closely with localities, the Ministry of National Defense, and relevant government agencies in implementing the plan. The CAAV should alo give advice on adjustments to the plan, he noted.

"If a locality needs an airport to advance its development, the transport ministry will propose the government adjust the plan.”

He added his ministry would finalize a scheme for mobilizing capital resources to build new airports for the Prime Minister's approval.

Under the plan, Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City will remain the country’s two major aviation hubs. In addition, a new domestic airport will be built in the Hanoi region to support the existing Noi Bai International Airport.

On the list of the 30 airports until 2030, the 14 international gateways are Van Don (in Quang Ninh province), Cat Bi (Hai Phong city), Noi Bai (Hanoi), Tho Xuan (Thanh Hoa province), Vinh (Nghe An province), Phu Bai (Thua Thien-Hue province), Danang (Danang city), Chu Lai (Quang Nam province), Cam Ranh (Khanh Hoa province), Lien Khuong (Lam Dong province), Long Thanh (in Dong Nai near HCMC), Tan Son Nhat (HCMC), Can Tho (Can Tho city), and Phu Quoc (Phu Quoc island).

The 16 domestic airports on the list are Lai Chau (Lai Chau province), Dien Bien (Lai Chau province), Sapa (Lao Cai province), Na San (Son La province), Dong Hoi (Quang Binh province), Quang Tri (Quang Tri province), Phu Cat (Binh Dinh province), Tuy Hoa (Phu Yen province), Pleiku (Gia Lai province), Buon Ma Thuot (Dak Lak province), Phan Thiet (Binh Thuan province), Rach Gia (Kien Giang province), Ca Mau (Ca Mau province), Con Dao (Con Dao island), Thanh Son (Ninh Thuan province), and Bien Hoa (Dong Nai province).

For a vision to 2050, the total is 33 (14 international airports and 19 domestic terminals). This means there will be three more domestic ones, namely Cao Bang, Cat Bi, and South of Hanoi. Notably, among the 14 international airports, Hai Phong Airport will replace the existing Cat Bi Airport.

According to the MoT, the airports outlined in the plan will ensure that by 2030, and with a vision to 2050, over 95% of the Vietnamese population will have access to an airport within 100 km, equal to the ratios in regional countries and higher than the global current ratio of 75%.

The plan remains open, and there is a list of 12 domestic airports on standby, according to the ministry.

They are Ha Giang (Ha Giang province), Yen Bai (Yen Bai province), Tuyen Quang (Tuyen Quang province), Gia Lam military airport (Hanoi), Bac Ninh (Bac Ninh province), Ha Tinh (Ha Tinh province), Kon Tum (Kon Tum province), Quang Ngai (Ly Son Iiland, Quang Ngai province), Binh Thuan (Phu Quy island, Binh Thuan province), Khanh Hoa (Khanh Hoa province), Dak Nong (Dak Nong province), and Tay Ninh (Tay Ninh province).