Long Thanh airport project must be successful, avoid not knowing what to do after construction is finished

The Long Thanh airport project must be accelerated to be able to welcome the first commercial flight in 2026. However, it is necessary to promote the 'airport city' model, linking regions and internationally, creating momentum for breakthrough development.

Long Thanh Airport is taking shape, with expectations of welcoming its first commercial flight in 2026 - Photo: VAN TRUNG

The Long Thanh airport project must succeed.

"We are facing a critical issue regarding development, and we need to approach it with a more systematic attitude, not with a haphazard mindset," emphasized Associate Professor Tran Dinh Thien, former Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Institute of Economics , at the thematic workshop "Promoting Long Thanh - Ho Chi Minh City Connectivity" organized by Tuoi Tre newspaper on the afternoon of June 27.

According to Dr. Thien, in the current global economic context, Vietnam cannot afford to lag behind, otherwise it will be left behind. But feasibility also needs to be considered. Of course, "large projects like Long Thanh airport must be successful."

For Long Thanh, on the one hand, it is necessary to clearly define its identity and spatial context. On the other hand, attention must be paid to its appropriate development value; this is a national project, not just for a single locality or region.

Dr. Tran Dinh Thien stated that Dong Nai has an advantage in possessing an international transshipment port and Long Thanh International Airport - something that Hanoi , Hai Phong, and many other localities do not have. - Photo: QUANG DINH

Positioned as an "airport city," Long Thanh needs to consider the demand for international transit and attracting global tourists, similar to the Singapore model. Vietnam's current approach is to lag behind but strive to catch up, and Long Thanh is no exception.

He argued that the driving force behind Vietnam's current development is the private sector. Once opened up, its growth potential seems boundless and immense. Previously, many projects were difficult to approve, but now they have been streamlined. For example, a project that used to take 5 years now only needs 7 months.

The Long Thanh airport project must prioritize human resources, funding, speed, etc., to avoid the risk of completing it without knowing its purpose or failing to utilize its strengths. Close coordination between the private and public sectors is necessary for the development of the airport city.

Develop a comprehensive rail, road, and waterway network to provide convenient access to the airport for the public.

Mr. Huynh Tan Loc, deputy director of the Department of Construction of Dong Nai province, shared that Long Thanh ward is expected to have good infrastructure for electricity, social infrastructure, and population size… to serve the airport city - Photo: QUANG DINH

Mr. Huynh Tan Loc, deputy director of the Department of Construction of Dong Nai province, said that the Long Thanh International Airport project is currently planned to cover approximately 5,000 hectares, with plans for further expansion to about 20,000 hectares.

Dong Nai province is implementing a development plan for supporting areas, with the combined efforts of Long Thanh, Nhon Trach, Cam My, Trang Bom, and Bien Hoa districts.

Currently, the process of merging communes and wards is underway. The goal is for the first commercial flight to land in 2026, specifically in the Long Thanh ward area.

For this project, transportation connectivity remains a practical issue. Those with sufficient financial means can easily travel to Long Thanh Airport by car, especially via expressways.

But frankly, those who use motorbikes still spend a lot of time getting to the airport – this is a demographic group that needs better service.

Therefore, Dong Nai province is leading the implementation of the Cat Lai bridge construction project. The goal is to comprehensively address the transportation connectivity issue, facilitating travel to the airport by motorbike for people from various locations, while simultaneously developing other modes of transportation.

Dr. Trinh Hong Viet, Deputy Director of the National Institute of Architecture (Ministry of Construction), shared that the Long Thanh airport project has been directed by the Prime Minister to ensure it does not fall behind schedule, with the goal of putting it into operation in 2026. Therefore, one of the top priorities is to complete the infrastructure serving the airport, as well as the expressways connecting the airport with supporting areas.

In that spirit, the focus is on developing a comprehensive transportation infrastructure, including railways, roads, and waterways, to effectively serve the development of Long Thanh Airport.

Dr. Trinh Hong Viet, Deputy Director of the National Institute of Architecture (Ministry of Construction), affirmed the determination of the units implementing the Long Thanh airport project to boost the economy - Photo: QUANG DINH

With the feasible plan proposed by the National Institute of Architecture, the Ministry of Construction leadership approved the orientation focusing on ensuring connectivity between cities and airports. Priority will be given to investing in the Bien Hoa - Vung Tau expressway, reducing traffic pressure on the center of Ho Chi Minh City.

In the medium term (2025-2030), the plan is to develop a railway and urban rail system with multimodal connectivity between Long Thanh Airport (Dong Nai) and Tan Son Nhat Airport (Ho Chi Minh City).

In terms of urban development, Long Thanh will be transformed into a breakthrough economic engine, applying airport development models like those of Singapore, Dubai, and other developed countries. Airport logistics will be at the center of this. The scope of development will not be limited to the Long Thanh area but will also extend to a "twin city" relationship with Ho Chi Minh City.

The project's development vision is globally interconnected, while also strengthening regional connectivity along key axes including Bien Hoa (Northwest), Long Khanh (Northeast), Nhon Trach (Southwest), and expanding links with Thu Duc City, Ho Chi Minh City. The goal is to create an innovative urban center, attracting investment and promoting socio-economic development in the Long Thanh area.

The Ministry of Construction has directed a focus on urgently completing key items in the 2025-2026 period, demonstrating a strong determination to promote regional connectivity in the Southeast region and elevate Long Thanh Airport to become an airport city and a transit hub for Southeast Asia.

Acting as a bridge and driving force, the ministry affirmed its commitment to further improving institutions and solutions to promote synchronized development.

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Source: https://tuoitre.vn/du-an-san-bay-long-thanh-phai-thanh-cong-tranh-xay-xong-khong-biet-lam-gi-20250627181545616.htm