Vietnam Tourism Prepares Historic Travel Shift as 36 Airport Network Opens New Destinations Beyond Major Cities

Written By: Angana Dutta

Angana Dutta

Angana Dutta is a writer, journalist, and SEO content specialist with experience spanning travel, education, and digital media. She is a contributor to Travel And Tour World (TTW), where she produces engaging, search-driven travel stories for a global audience. She has also worked as a reporter with The Times of India and Pratidin Time, covering regional news and human-interest stories. Combining journalistic integrity with creative storytelling, Angana is passionate about culture, literature, and showcasing the unique heritage and destinations of Northeast India through impactful content.

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September 4, 2026 11:40 AM

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Vietnam will modernize its domestic and international flight networks as it develops a network of 36 airports. In this plan, approved by the Vietnamese government in 2025, Vietnam expects to have better domestic and international flight networks by 2030. The planned flights will serve destinations that are currently relatively undeveloped. Vietnam is focused on improving global tourist growth and hopes that better flight access will allow them to distribute travelers to other places that are currently untapped. It is expected that better flight access will stimulate new tourism opportunities to other regions of Vietnam and improve its current economic growth outside of its main urban centers of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

Vietnam’s airport expansion plan could redraw the country’s tourism map

Vietnam has built one of Southeast Asia’s fastest-growing tourism sectors over the past decade. The country has attracted international travellers through its beaches, cultural heritage, food experiences and natural landscapes.

However, tourism growth has historically concentrated around a limited number of gateways.

Major airports such as Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi, Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang International Airport, and Phu Quoc International Airport have carried much of the international visitor traffic.

The Vietnamese Government now wants aviation infrastructure to support a broader tourism economy.

The revised National Airport System Development Plan for 2021–2030, with a vision to 2050, approved by the Prime Minister, outlines a future network of 33 airports by 2030 and 41 airports by 2050 in its original planning framework. Later adjustments and proposals have increased attention on expanding the national aviation network, with the Government moving towards a system of around 36 airports as development projects progress.

The strategy is designed to improve connectivity between major cities and emerging tourism regions.

Official planning documents from the Vietnamese Government identify aviation infrastructure as a key driver for economic development, regional connectivity and international integration.

Source: Vietnam Government Portal
https://en.baochinhphu.vn/

Vietnam tourism moves beyond traditional visitor hubs

For many international travellers, Vietnam has been defined by a small group of famous destinations.

Hanoi attracts visitors seeking history, food and cultural experiences.

Ho Chi Minh City remains the country’s largest business and urban tourism centre.

Da Nang and Hoi An continue to attract beach and heritage travellers.

Phu Quoc has developed into a major island destination.

The airport expansion strategy aims to create opportunities for other regions.

New and upgraded aviation links could support destinations such as:

The objective is not only to bring more visitors into Vietnam.

It is also to encourage travellers to explore more parts of the country.

This approach supports the Government’s goal of spreading tourism income to local communities.

New airport gateways could support lesser-known destinations

A major challenge for Vietnam has been balancing tourism growth between popular destinations and developing regions.

Many provinces have strong tourism resources but limited international accessibility.

Better airport connections could change this situation.

The Government has highlighted several airport projects linked with regional development.

Among the important projects are:

• Long Thanh International Airport in Dong Nai Province
• expansion of existing airports
• development of airports serving island and border regions
• improvements to regional aviation infrastructure

Long Thanh International Airport is one of Vietnam’s largest aviation projects.

The airport is designed to reduce pressure on Tan Son Nhat International Airport and become a major international gateway.

According to Vietnam’s Ministry of Transport, Long Thanh is planned to handle around 100 million passengers annually when fully developed.

The first phase is designed for approximately 25 million passengers per year.

Source: Ministry of Construction / former Ministry of Transport information
https://mt.gov.vn/

The project is expected to improve Vietnam’s ability to handle rising international demand while creating additional aviation capacity for tourism growth.

Vietnam’s visitor numbers show why aviation capacity matters

Vietnam’s tourism sector has recovered strongly after the pandemic.

According to the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism, the country welcomed more than 17.5 million international visitors in 2024, exceeding its annual target.

International arrivals came mainly from Asian markets, including:

• South Korea
• China
• Taiwan
• Japan
• Southeast Asian countries

South Korea remained one of Vietnam’s largest visitor markets.

The growth of short-haul Asian travel has increased demand for more frequent flights and better airport connections.

The Government has set ambitious future tourism targets.

Vietnam aims to welcome around 25 million international visitors in 2025, according to national tourism plans.

Source: Vietnam National Authority of Tourism
https://vietnamtourism.gov.vn/

The expansion of airport infrastructure is closely connected with these goals.

More airports mean more opportunities for airlines to operate new routes and for destinations outside major cities to attract international travellers.

Aviation development could create new opportunities for airlines and airports

The expansion of Vietnam’s airport network will have a direct impact on the aviation industry.

Airlines depend on airport capacity when deciding where to launch new routes.

A wider airport network could support:

• more regional flights
• stronger domestic connections
• improved international access
• increased competition among carriers

For airports, tourism growth creates opportunities through:

• passenger services
• retail operations
• hospitality facilities
• ground transportation
• local partnerships

Regional airports may become important entry points for international visitors seeking different experiences.

A traveller interested in mountain landscapes, cultural villages or coastal areas may no longer need to travel through Vietnam’s biggest cities first.

Regional economies could gain from new tourism flows

Tourism is one of Vietnam’s important economic sectors.

The industry supports employment across:

• hotels
• restaurants
• transport companies
• tour operators
• attractions
• local businesses

The Vietnamese Government has repeatedly highlighted tourism as a contributor to economic growth and rural development.

Airport expansion can create wider economic benefits because improved access encourages investment.

Potential beneficiaries include:

• accommodation providers
• local food producers
• cultural tourism operators
• transport companies
• small businesses

A new airport connection can reduce travel barriers for visitors and businesses.

For provinces outside major tourism centres, better connectivity can help attract investment and create new tourism products.

Government strategy focuses on sustainable and balanced tourism growth

Vietnam’s tourism development strategy is not only focused on visitor numbers.

The country has also placed greater attention on:

• sustainable tourism
• digital transformation
• environmental protection
• community-based tourism
• improving visitor experiences

The Government’s tourism strategy through 2030 highlights the importance of developing tourism across different regions.

The aim is to avoid excessive concentration in popular destinations and create more balanced growth.

This is especially important as some famous destinations face challenges from rising visitor numbers, including pressure on infrastructure and local environments.

A wider airport network could support better visitor distribution.

What the airport expansion means for international travellers

For travellers, Vietnam’s aviation development could create several changes.

Visitors may gain:

• easier access to new destinations
• shorter travel times
• more flight choices
• greater opportunities for multi-destination trips

Future travellers could combine different experiences in one journey.

Examples may include:

• coastal holidays combined with mountain tourism
• heritage trips connected with rural experiences
• island visits linked with mainland attractions

However, travellers should continue checking official airline and airport updates before planning trips because new airport facilities and routes will become available gradually.

Key airport development overview

FAQ

1. How will Vietnam’s airport expansion affect international tourists?

Vietnam’s expanded airport network is expected to provide travellers with more access options beyond major cities. Visitors may find it easier to reach coastal, cultural and nature destinations directly.

2. Which Vietnamese airport project is the most important for future tourism?

Long Thanh International Airport is one of the country’s largest aviation projects. It is designed to increase international passenger capacity and reduce pressure on existing airports.

3. Will new airports immediately create new international flight routes?

Not necessarily. Airport development creates the infrastructure needed for future connectivity, but airlines make independent decisions based on demand, aircraft availability and commercial conditions.

Conclusion

Expanding networks of air transport and new gateway airport construction beyond the established travel centers is changing the face of Vietnam’s tourism. Expanding airport systems connects more and more provinces to the global market, improves existing regional infrastructure and offers new tourism opportunities. The government’s aviation and tourism policies show a continuing focus on infrastructure, and suggest that in the coming years, Vietnam’s airports will expand and international connectivity will improve. This connectivity will enable travel to Vietnam’s coastal regions, highland hinterlands and cultural destinations. Infrastructure improvements will allow travel to new and previously inaccessible areas.

Official Sources

Vietnam Government Portal
https://en.baochinhphu.vn/

Vietnam National Authority of Tourism
https://vietnamtourism.gov.vn/

Vietnam Ministry of Transport / Ministry of Construction
https://mt.gov.vn/