Construction of Long Thanh International Airport should begin next year with private funding prioritized, Deputy PM Trinh Dinh Dung has said. It has reached the highest level of priority since Saigon’s Tan Son Nhat has become overloaded, he said at a recent meeting. The deputy prime minister wanted the giant new airport in Dong Nai Province near HCMC to become an aviation hub for Southeast Asia.
If we get companies with deep pockets into the project, costs would surely be lower than using public funds or loans.” The Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV) recently proposed it should be the main investor.
The ACV, which operates 21 airports in the country, said it could bring in the $1-1.5 billion needed for the first phase of the airport. It is currently working with the Ministry of Transport and Dong Nai authorities to acquire 1,800 hectares of land for the first phase.
The ministry reported at the meeting that the consultancy consortium of the airport is now completing the preliminary design, which would be submitted next April. The ministry has instructed the consortium, JFV, to complete an environmental impact report by next month.
