Long Thanh Airport In Vietnam Readies For First Commercial Arrivals By Vietnam Airlines, Vietjet, And Bamboo Airways On December 19, With Critical Test Flight Today

Published on December 15, 2025

Long Thanh International Airport is set to reach a significant milestone on December 19, marking the first official flights to the new airport. This momentous event will be celebrated with the arrivals of three aircraft, operated by Vietnam Airlines, Vietjet Air, and Bamboo Airways. These flights will be the culmination of years of preparation and months of extensive technical test flights, signaling a major step forward for both the airport and Vietnam’s aviation industry.

This historic event was confirmed by senior officials from the Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV), during a recent meeting held at the construction site. The official landing of the three flights represents a key milestone in the airport’s development. The airport’s first official flight will be operated by Vietnam Airlines, which will arrive from Hanoi. This will be closely followed by aircraft from Vietjet Air and Bamboo Airways, both of which are expected to land just five minutes apart from one another. The flight from Vietnam Airlines will be the first to arrive at Long Thanh, setting the tone for the next phase of the airport’s journey.

Before the ceremonial arrivals take place, Long Thanh International Airport will undergo a final full-system test on December 15, 2025. This crucial test will ensure that the airport’s systems, including navigation and runway operations, are fully operational and ready for the first flights. As part of the full-system test, a Boeing 787 aircraft, carrying only flight crew and technical staff, will depart from Tan Son Nhat Airport in Ho Chi Minh City. Located around 40 km away from the new airport, this aircraft will be used to test the runway and navigation systems at Long Thanh. Upon completing its test, the aircraft will return to Tan Son Nhat, signaling that the site is prepared for official arrivals.

Officials who visited the site and inspected the infrastructure, including the runway, passenger terminal, apron, and air traffic control tower, were impressed by the progress made. They offered their praise for the engineers, construction workers, and personnel who have worked tirelessly to ensure the project stays on track. The inspection also highlighted the dedication and hard work of the workforce involved, particularly those from Military Region 7, who have been instrumental in preparing the site for the arrival of aircraft.

While the runway is fully operational and ready to handle aircraft landings, the passenger terminal is still in the final stages of construction. Officials noted that the terminal’s installation of equipment is nearing completion, with all critical systems being integrated to ensure the facility will be fully operational when it officially opens for commercial flights. Although the full-scale commercial operations of Long Thanh International Airport will not begin until mid-2026, these initial steps represent an important leap forward in the development of the airport.

The first phase of Long Thanh International Airport covers a sprawling 1,810 hectares and is expected to be completed in stages. Construction began in January 2021 and has been progressing steadily since then. The Phase 1 development is designed with a capacity to handle up to 25 million passengers annually, along with the ability to manage 1.2 million tons of cargo each year. This capacity will be a significant boost to Vietnam’s transportation infrastructure, catering to the growing demand for air travel both domestically and internationally.

The opening of Long Thanh International Airport is expected to transform the region’s air transport landscape. It will ease congestion at Tan Son Nhat Airport in Ho Chi Minh City, which currently serves as the primary gateway for both domestic and international flights to southern Vietnam. Long Thanh is strategically located in Dong Nai Province, approximately 40 kilometers from Ho Chi Minh City, making it an ideal hub for regional air travel. Once fully operational, the airport will significantly enhance Vietnam’s connectivity with the rest of the world and provide additional capacity to support the country’s growing tourism and trade sectors.

In addition to its role as a transportation hub, Long Thanh International Airport is expected to serve as a catalyst for regional economic growth. The airport’s location in Dong Nai Province is expected to attract a significant amount of investment, creating jobs and stimulating economic development in the surrounding areas. The airport will also help improve the overall tourism infrastructure in Vietnam, making the country more accessible to international visitors while providing a more efficient travel experience for both business and leisure travelers.

The airport’s construction is a major part of Vietnam’s broader strategy to modernize its infrastructure and boost the aviation industry. With increased air traffic expected in the coming years, the airport is positioned to play a key role in the region’s aviation sector. In addition to the initial capacity, further expansion plans will increase the airport’s ability to serve even more passengers and cargo in the future.

Once commercial operations begin in mid-2026, Long Thanh International Airport will be a vital hub for both domestic and international flights, supporting the rapid growth of Vietnam’s aviation industry. The successful arrival of the first three flights is just the beginning of a new chapter for the airport and the aviation sector as a whole. With its modern infrastructure and strategic location, Long Thanh International Airport is poised to become one of Vietnam’s leading aviation gateways, driving both economic growth and tourism in the years to come.

In the meantime, as construction continues and the final testing phases are completed, the anticipation around Long Thanh International Airport’s opening builds. The efforts of the engineers, planners, and construction workers are set to bear fruit as the airport takes its place as a key player in Vietnam’s future development. With its projected capacity and international connections, Long Thanh will be ready to meet the demands of the next generation of travelers, creating a new standard for air travel in Vietnam.