Vietnam launches airport network expansion plan

Vietnam plans to expand its current airport network from 22 to 30 by 2030, and to 33 by 2050, according to a newly-approved national airport plan for 2021-2030, with a vision to 2050.

Under the plan, signed by Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha on Wednesday, Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City will remain the two aviation hubs in the country, while the target is for 97% of the population to have access to airports within 100 kilometers.

Thanh Son airport in Ninh Thuan province and Bien Hoa airport in Dong Nai province, two domestic ones, are the latest additions to the Ministry of Transport's draft plan from 2021.

By 2030, Vietnam will have 30 airports, including 14 international ones, namely Van Don (Quang Ninh province), Cat Bi (Hai Phong city), Noi Bai (Hanoi) in the northern region; 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) in the central region; and Long Thanh (Dong Nai province), Tan Son Nhat (HCMC), Can Tho (Can Tho city), and Phu Quoc (Kien Giang province) in the southern region.

The 16 domestic airports will include Lai Chau (Lai Chau province), Dien Bien (Dien Bien province), Sa Pa (Lao Cai province), Na San (Son La province) in the north; Dong Hoi (Quang Binh province), Quang Tri (Quang Tri province), Phu Cat (Binh Dinh province), Tuy Hoa (Phu Yen province), Pleiku (Gia Lai province of the Central Highlands), Buon Ma Thuot (Dak Lak province of the Central Highlands), Phan Thiet (Binh Thuan province) in central Vietnam; and Rach Gia (Kien Giang province), Ca Mau (Ca Mau province), Con Dao (Ba Ria-Vung Tau province), Thanh Son (Ninh Thuan province), and Bien Hoa (Dong Nai province) in the south.

By 2050, new airports will be built in Hai Phong, Cao Bang, and a second for the Hanoi capital region. Cat Bi international airport in the northern coastal city of Hai Phong will be converted to a domestic one, while there will be a new international airport named Hai Phong.

The plan also includes converting some military airports into civilian ones, and constructing airports in locations with tourism and service potential. Twelve locations have been earmarked for these moves, namely Ha Giang, Yen Bai, Tuyen Quang, Hanoi (Long Bien district), Bac Ninh, Ha Tinh, Kon Tum, Quang Ngai, Binh Thuan, Khanh Hoa (Van Ninh district), Dak Nong, and Tay Ninh.

$17.9 billion investment to meet targets

The plan noted an estimated investment of VND420 trillion ($17.88 billion) to meet the targets. For new airports, the public-private partnership (PPP) model will be prioritized. Regarding operating airports, expansions and upgrades could follow the PPP or other models. Airports of national importance, military airports and airports in border areas and islands will receive priority in terms of state resources.

The plan highlights the priority is to build new or expand airports that are important such as Long Thanh in Dong Nai province, Tan Son Nhat in HCMC, Noi Bai in Hanoi, Danang in Danang city, Cam Ranh in Khanh Hoa province, and Phu Quoc in Kien Giang province, facilities in remote areas and islands, and others that serve socioeconomic growth.

Up to 2030, airports are set to serve 275.9 million passengers, or 1.5-2% of the total travellers in Vietnam, and 4.1 million tons of cargo, or 0.05-0.1% of the total.

The nation is working to build major aircraft maintenance and repair facilities to serve major airports such as Noi Bai, Danang, Tan Son Nhat, Chu Lai, Cam Ranh, Can Tho, Long Thanh, and Chu Lai.

Vietnam is also looking to build logistics centers capable of handling 250,000 tons of cargo a year to serve Noi Bai, Tan Son Nhat, Van Don, Cat Bi, Danang, Chu Lai, Long Thanh, and Can Tho.