Vietnam’s Long Thanh International Airport Kicks Off Commercial Operations With The Arrival Of Its First Flight, Ushering In A New Era For Air Travel And Economic Development In The Region

Published on December 22, 2025

Vietnam’s Long Thanh International Airport officially kicks off its commercial operations with the successful arrival of its first flight, marking a historic moment for the country’s aviation industry. This milestone not only symbolizes the airport’s readiness to handle international and domestic flights but also ushers in a new era for air travel and regional economic development. By easing congestion at Tan Son Nhat International Airport and offering advanced infrastructure, Long Thanh is poised to become a key aviation hub, fostering greater connectivity, boosting tourism, and stimulating economic growth in southern Vietnam.

Long Thanh International Airport, located in Dong Nai Province, marked a major milestone on December 19, 2025, as a Vietnam Airlines Boeing 787 carrying high-ranking officials became the first official flight to land at the newly constructed airport. This historic event is part of a broader series of ceremonies celebrating key infrastructure projects around the country, including the launch, inauguration, and technical opening of 234 significant projects, which are all part of the celebrations for the 14th National Party Congress.

The first official flight to land at Long Thanh International Airport was operated by the national carrier, Vietnam Airlines. It touched down at precisely 8:20 AM on Runway No. 1, signaling the commencement of Phase 1 of the airport’s operations. This milestone marks a crucial step forward for the airport and the aviation sector in Vietnam, with the country’s leaders and central ministries aboard the flight, emphasizing the importance of this moment in Vietnam’s development.

Following the arrival of the first official flight, two narrow-body aircraft operated by Vietjet Air and Bamboo Airways took off from Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City, making their way to Long Thanh. These flights carried flight crews and technical personnel who were crucial in ensuring the smooth transition from Tan Son Nhat to the new airport. By midday, the aircraft had returned to their points of origin, completing the first technical and operational flights to the airport.

The arrival of these flights is significant because it marks the beginning of commercial aviation activities at Long Thanh International Airport, which is expected to play a crucial role in easing the capacity constraints at Tan Son Nhat International Airport. Tan Son Nhat has been overwhelmed for years with growing passenger traffic, and Long Thanh’s development aims to provide much-needed relief for both international and domestic travelers.

The airport, once fully operational, will serve as an aviation hub for southern Vietnam and will play a key role in the country’s future aviation strategy. Designed to meet the growing demands of the region, the airport will help accommodate the expanding travel needs of both international and domestic passengers. It is expected to support long-term economic growth in the region by enhancing connectivity and providing the infrastructure needed to cater to increased demand for air travel.

The construction of key airside components has been completed, including the runway, taxiways, and apron. These essential elements of the airport’s infrastructure were completed in time for the first technical flight to land at the airport on December 15, 2025, using a wide-body Boeing 787. This marked a significant achievement for the project, as it demonstrated that the airport is capable of handling large aircraft and is ready for the next steps in its development.

While the airside infrastructure has been completed, the construction of the passenger terminal and supporting transport facilities is still in its final stages. Once completed, the terminal will be equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, including an advanced Airport Operations Control Centre (Smart APOC) and one of the most modern automated baggage handling systems (BHS) in the world. The BHS system will be directly linked to the national population database, allowing for greater efficiency and improved security for passengers traveling through Long Thanh International Airport.

The completion of Phase 1 is a significant achievement, and the airport is expected to be fully operational by the first half of 2026. Once complete, the airport will have the capacity to handle up to 100 million passengers and 25 million tonnes of cargo annually, making it the largest airport in Vietnam. This will not only help meet the increasing demand for air travel in the region but will also contribute significantly to the development of southern Vietnam’s economy, providing new opportunities for businesses and tourism.

The Long Thanh International Airport project has been a monumental undertaking, covering an expansive 5,000-hectare site. The total investment for Phase 1 exceeds 109 trillion VND (approximately 4 billion USD), reflecting the scale of the project and the commitment to its long-term success. The construction process was carefully planned, with the site undergoing a thorough unexploded ordnance clearance process before any building could begin. This important safety step was necessary due to the site’s history and ensured the readiness of the location for the construction of one of the most ambitious infrastructure projects in Vietnam’s history.

In addition to its vast capacity for passenger and cargo handling, the airport is expected to play a key role in the region’s development by attracting investment and stimulating economic activity. As the airport grows, it will help reduce congestion at Tan Son Nhat International Airport, which has struggled to keep up with increasing passenger numbers in recent years. This will provide a much-needed solution to the ongoing challenges faced by the country’s aviation sector.

Vietnam’s rapid economic growth and the growing demand for air travel have driven the need for a modern, high-capacity airport that can handle both current and future requirements. Long Thanh International Airport is poised to meet these demands, providing an essential link in the country’s transportation network and supporting Vietnam’s ambitions as a global business and tourism hub.

Vietnam’s Long Thanh International Airport officially begins commercial operations with the arrival of its first flight, marking a significant step toward boosting air travel and regional economic growth by alleviating congestion at Tan Son Nhat and enhancing connectivity in southern Vietnam.

Once completed, Long Thanh International Airport will not only ease pressure on existing airports but will also contribute to the development of the aviation sector in Vietnam. As the airport enters its operational phase, it is expected to become a key player in Southeast Asia’s aviation landscape, offering a world-class travel experience for both passengers and airlines.