Vietnam’s Long Thanh Airport and Business Travel Boom Put Hotel Demand in Focus

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With its Long Thanh International Airport approaching commercial service, Vietnam gears up for a significant shift in international travel access, which would be further aided by manufacturing investment and MICE activities in the accommodation of the key business centres. This airport in Dong Nai Province, close to Ho Chi Minh City, is scheduled to start commercial operations in December 2026, conditional on preparation and approval. In addition, Da Nang, Hai Phong and Ho Chi Minh City draw in business travellers, whose visits may be longer than just regular holidays. These events link two aspects of Vietnam’s tourism industry – international gateway facilities and accommodation demand from corporate travel. The statistics agency in the country stated that Vietnam hosted 15.9 million international tourists in the first eight months of 2026, a year-on-year increase of 14.4%. Accommodation and food service revenues went up as well.

Long Thanh Airport Prepares to Change Southern Vietnam Access

Long Thanh International Airport is being developed to ease pressure on Tan Son Nhat International Airport and provide additional capacity for Vietnam’s growing aviation market. Located in Dong Nai province, the project is intended to serve Ho Chi Minh City and surrounding industrial and commercial centres. Vietnamese authorities have scheduled trial operations for September to November 2026, ahead of a targeted commercial launch on 1 December. The timetable remains dependent on completion, testing, operational preparation and the necessary approvals. Travellers should therefore check airline announcements before assuming that their flights will move to the new airport. The airport’s location has implications for visitors heading to southern Vietnam’s business districts, industrial parks and coastal destinations. Improved airport capacity could support future international connections and make the wider region more accessible, although the benefits will depend on airline route decisions and the development of transport links. For tourists, the transition will require attention to airport details. Visitors travelling to Ho Chi Minh City should confirm whether their flight uses Tan Son Nhat or Long Thanh, then check road-transfer arrangements and journey times before booking hotels or onward transport.

Manufacturing Investment Supports Corporate Accommodation

Vietnam’s manufacturing sector has attracted investment across industrial centres, creating travel requirements for executives, engineers, suppliers, project teams and international business partners. Ho Chi Minh City remains a major commercial centre, while Hai Phong supports industrial and port-related activity in the north. Corporate visitors may require accommodation for several nights or weeks rather than the shorter stays associated with leisure breaks. Hotels provide meeting facilities, dining and business services, while serviced apartments can suit longer assignments that require kitchens, laundry facilities and more residential space. The precise claim that executive hotel stays and long-term serviced-apartment leases have recorded double-digit growth across Da Nang, Hai Phong and Ho Chi Minh City could not be independently verified from the available public data. However, national figures point to strong momentum in tourism and accommodation-related spending. In the first eight months of 2026, accommodation and food-service revenue rose 16.4% year on year nationally. Hai Phong recorded 16.8% growth in accommodation and food-service revenue, while Ho Chi Minh City recorded 13.9%. These figures cover broader service activity and should not be interpreted as direct measurements of corporate hotel bookings.

Da Nang Expands Its MICE Tourism Offer

Da Nang is developing its profile as a destination for business events alongside its established coastal tourism market. Its beaches, hotels, restaurants and regional attractions allow organisers to combine meetings with leisure activities, a format that can extend visitor stays and distribute spending across local businesses. The city’s 2026 MICE promotion programme targets approximately 92,960 visitors attending meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions, including nearly 44,000 international participants. The programme builds on activity recorded in 2025, when Da Nang hosted 250 MICE delegations with more than 82,000 guests. For business travellers, the city offers access to beachfront accommodation, event venues and cultural excursions. Visitors can combine conferences with trips to the Marble Mountains, the Son Tra Peninsula or nearby Hoi An, depending on available time and transport. This business-and-leisure combination gives hotels opportunities to serve corporate groups and individual visitors. However, demand varies by season, event calendar and property category, making local market figures more useful than assuming uniform growth across Vietnam.

Hai Phong and Ho Chi Minh City Serve Different Travel Needs

Hai Phong’s industrial and port activity brings visitors involved in manufacturing, logistics, engineering and international trade. Corporate accommodation needs may include convenient access to industrial zones, reliable transport, meeting rooms and flexible booking periods. Ho Chi Minh City combines corporate travel with shopping, dining, cultural attractions and international connections. Business visitors can explore landmarks such as the Central Post Office and the city’s museums outside working hours, while longer stays may support excursions into the Mekong Delta. Hotels and serviced apartments serve different requirements in both markets. Companies arranging extended assignments should compare location, transport access, workspace, laundry facilities and cancellation terms rather than selecting accommodation on nightly rates alone.

What Travellers Should Check Before Booking

Those making travel plans to Vietnam need to verify all airport and hotel locations prior to finalising their itinerary. The expected opening of Long Thanh is likely to affect flight operations serving southern Vietnam, although verification is needed from the airlines themselves. Those attending business conferences should likewise verify the date and location of the event, especially in Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City, where hotels are expected to experience varying demand depending on the nature of the event. For leisure travellers who may extend their work trip to include vacationing, they may have to plan their transportation and attractions separately. Vietnam’s airport development, industrialisation, and MICE strategy influence travel demands in their own way.