Recorded at Long Thanh 10 days before the first technical flight

On the way to the passenger terminal, the sense of time seems to be erased. There is no longer a clear boundary between morning, noon or late night, because the construction site operates in a frantic pace of the relentless sound of machinery, of high-pressure lights, of consecutive shifts without a break. According to the plan, on December 19, Long Thanh airport must be basically completed to be ready to receive the first technical flight.

From afar, the Long Thanh airport passenger terminal stands out in the middle of the large construction site with its stylized lotus shape in full bloom. After more than two years of construction (from 2023), the lotus canopy has been completed, and the massive structural frame system has fully appeared.

The station consists of a central block and three wings, organized in separate arrival and departure lanes, over 45m high, with a total floor area of about 376,000m² with complex architecture and high technical requirements, and is in the final stages of completion. Stepping inside the station, one can immediately feel the "heat" of the construction site in the final stages. The sound of machinery is non-stop, drilling, welding, and walkie-talkies are heard everywhere. From the ground floor to the upper floors, thousands of workers in reflective protective clothing move continuously, each team has a task, no one stands still.

Ten days before the first technical flight, the Long Thanh construction site was operating non-stop day and night.

At the construction site, engineers and workers of major contractors such as Vinaconex, Ricons, Newtecons, ATAD, Construction Corporation No. 1… are racing to bring the project to the finish line as committed.

On both sides of the lotus petals, passenger tubes have been installed, extending like long arms from the terminal to the plane. Construction teams are adjusting and completing the connection to the steel structure. Every detail is carefully measured and checked before being fixed.

Inside, a series of items are being deployed simultaneously: Rough finishing, equipment installation, technical system testing... Floor tiles are being meticulously constructed. Escalators and elevators are gradually completing their vertical and horizontal lines. Staircases and passenger walkways clearly show the shape of a modern international terminal.

In the deep areas, the fire prevention, fire fighting, ventilation, electricity, water, and air conditioning systems are all being deployed in parallel. The finishing work is taking place simultaneously: the ceiling is installed above, the floor is finished below, and groups of engineers are reviewing drawings and technical specifications. All of this takes place in a "3-shift, 4-shift" state, regardless of day or night.

Mr. Hoang Minh Huan, an equipment installer, said the pressure to meet the deadline was huge. “Everyone is racing to meet shifts, but we all understand that this is the most important time. The work is urgent, but we must be careful with every detail, and absolutely not do it carelessly. Safety is always the top priority,” Mr. Huan emphasized.

Fuel storage tanks in the technical area. (Photo in article: D. Khương)

The hustle and bustle outside the terminal is similar. The signage system on Runway 1 has been installed, and workers are putting the finishing touches on the runway to prepare for the first technical flight.

Although the second runway has been under construction for less than half a year, the speed is being accelerated, expected to be completed synchronously with the terminal and many other items to serve exploitation in the first half of 2026.

In the technical area, the aviation fuel tank system is under construction. The internal port traffic system is also being urgently completed. The traffic route connecting T1 - T2 has been completed, creating a continuous axis from the terminal to the external traffic network. From above, the synchronous structure is clearly visible: Terminal, runway, technical area, connecting infrastructure.

According to the current plan, on December 19, Long Thanh airport can receive a maximum of 4 aircraft at 4 parking positions. Preparations and scenarios for the first flight are ready to be activated when conditions are met.

Long Thanh Airport is built on an area of 5,000 hectares in Long Thanh commune, Dong Nai province. Phase 1 includes 1 passenger terminal, 2 runways and auxiliary items, with a capacity of 25 million passengers/year and 1.2 million tons of cargo/year. When put into operation in the first half of 2026, this place will become the country's strategic aviation gateway.

Source: https://baophapluat.vn/ghi-nhan-tai-long-thanh-10-ngay-truc-chuyen-bay-ky-thuat-dau-tien.html