Under the plan, Quang Tri, Binh Thuan’s Phan Thiet, Dien Bien, Lai Chau and Sapa will have new airports.

Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi (Photo by Tien Tuan)

According to the ministry, Vietnam would need VND400 trillion (USD17.68) billion for airport development until 2030. The investment will focus on upgrading 22 existing airports and new airport construction.

The prime minister has approved the Haiphong International Airport project which will replace Cat Bi International Airport by 2030.

By 2030, 28 airports in Vietnam will have a combined capacity of 278 million passengers to ensure that more than 95 percent of the population can access an airport within a distance of 100 kilometres.

The plan also mentions the construction of an airport to the southeast of Hanoi by 2050. It also prioritises key national projects, including the first phase of Long Thanh International Airport with a yearly capacity of 25 million passengers and the construction of Terminal 3 at Tan Son Nhat International Airport and Terminal 2 at Noi Bai International Airport.

The Ministry of Transport said the public-private partnership model will be used to mobilise the investment capital for airport projects in addition to the state budget.