The Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV) has submitted a proposal to accelerate the construction of the third runway at Long Thanh International Airport in Dong Nai Province, part of the airport’s phase 2 development. Phase 2 plans include three runways and two passenger terminals, targeting an annual capacity of 50 million passengers and 1.5 million tonnes of cargo. The third runway, 4,000 meters long and 60 meters wide, will accommodate large aircraft such as the Airbus A380.
ACV emphasised that starting the third runway immediately after the second runway’s completion in the 2025–26 dry season would save costs, reduce mobilisation time, and minimise disruptions once phase 1 becomes operational in early 2026. Phase 1, featuring the first runway, will begin commercial operations in the first half of 2026, with an initial capacity of 25 million passengers and 1.2 million tonnes of cargo.
The total estimated cost for the third runway is VND12 trillion (USD455 million), to be fully funded through ACV’s legal capital without government guarantees. ACV has also requested approval to act as the investor for the entire phase 2, including hiring an international consultant to prepare and verify the project’s feasibility report, which will be submitted to the government and National Assembly for approval. Once fully completed, Long Thanh Airport is expected to handle up to 100 million passengers and five million tonnes of cargo annually, significantly relieving congestion at Tan Son Nhat International Airport and strengthening Vietnam’s position as a regional aviation hub.
