Vietnam’s Long Thanh airport faces uphill battle to open on time

Vietnam's newly constructed Long Thanh International Airport confronts numerous hurdles in its quest to open by December, according to a government statement. The ambitious project aims to alleviate congestion at the congested Ho Chi Minh City Tan Son Nhat Airport and boost regional connectivity. However, the airport is grappling with labor shortages, material delays, cost overruns, and payment disputes, making it highly challenging to meet its strict deadline.

Deputy Prime Minister Pham Gia Tuc acknowledged the immense workload and slim timeline, noting that some contractors are progressing sluggishly. The airport's significance lies in its potential to propel Vietnam's double-digit growth and enhance regional connectivity. Nevertheless, transport links to the commercial hub remain unfinished, with rail connections to Ho Chi Minh City anticipated only a few years away.

The project, already plagued by delays and a recent procurement scandal resulting in detained executives, has missed several crucial deadlines. To expedite construction, soldiers were deployed in June to bolster the workforce. Spanning over 5,000 hectares in Dong Nai province, near Ho Chi Minh City, the airport is designed in three phases to accommodate four runways and handle 100 million passengers and 5 million tonnes of cargo annually annually.

Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV), the primary investor, faces orders to resolve payment issues by the end of the month. Contractors failing to meet labor, equipment, or financing requirements will face penalties. ACV has yet to comment on the situation. Both Ho Chi Minh City and Dong Nai authorities must quickly address land clearance and technical infrastructure issues by the end of the month, as stipulated in the government statement.