Vietnam plans two new airports for central region 

Vietnam’s central region is set to build new airports in Binh Thuan, Quang Tri and Quang Tri provinces, according to the Ministry of Transport’s newly-released plan for developing air transport in the region until 2030 with a vision to 2045.

The ministry issued the plan a few days after the national airport plan for 2021-2030 with a vision to 2050 was signed by Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha on June 7. The ministry targets to develop the airport network along with the national logistics system, seaports, border gates, and trade corridors in the region.

The ministry also plans to upgrade the current network of nine airports in the region, build logistics centers for Danang and Chu Lai airports in Danang city and the neighboring province of Quang Nam, and logistics centers for other airports with an annual capacity of over 250,000 tons.

To fulfill these goals, the ministry is looking to complete a legal framework related to investment under the public-private partnership (PPP) model and policies for private investment in infrastructure.

The ministry is also encouraging businesses to invest in container vehicles for railways and inner waterways, and the establishment of large logistics firms capable of running both domestic and international routes.

Phan Thiet is currently a civil-military airport in Binh Thuan province. Major industry and construction corporation Rang Dong Group was appointed as the investor of the initial build-operate-transfer (BOT) project to upgrade Phan Thiet airport to a 4C level in 2013.

Later, a further upgrade to level 4E at the civil-military airport was approved to expand its capacity to two million passengers a year. After the plan was updated, a review was needed to establish whether Rang Dong Group could continue or if another investor was needed.

Binh Thuan province's search for a new investor in the project under the BOT format is ongoing as the province struggles to find suitable candidates with experience in building airports, said Binh Thuan Vice Chairman Nguyen Minh at a press conference in January.

Quang Tri province currently has no airport. The nearest ones are Dong Hoi and Phu Bai in the neighboring provinces of Quang Tri and Thua Thien-Hue, both about 100 kilometers away. Quang Tri province is hoping to kick off the construction of the airport this year, Quang Tri Vice Chairman Le Duc Tien said in January.

Quang Tri airport received in-principle approval from the Prime Minister in December 2021. The 265.3-hectare project in Gio Linh district is set to follow the PPP format with an investment of VND5.82 trillion ($247.5 million). The project will be handed over by the private investor after 50 years.