HANOI: Vietnam has announced an ambitious project to significantly enhance its airport infrastructure, aiming to establish a total of 30 airports by 2030.
Among these, 14 airports will cater to international flights, while the remaining 16 will be dedicated to domestic travel.
The estimated investment required for this comprehensive expansion is approximately 420 trillion Vietnamese Dong (US$18 billion), to be sourced from the State budget, non-budget capital, and various legal capital channels.
According to a report by Vietnam News Agency (VNA), Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha signed Decision No 648/QD-TTg on June 7, which outlines the national airport system planning for the period 2021-2030, with a vision extending until 2050.
The designated international airports include Van Don, Cat Bi, Noi Bai, Tho Xuan, Vinh, Phu Bai, Da Nang, Chu Lai, Cam Ranh, Lien Khuong, Long Thanh, Tan Son Nhat, Can Tho and Phu Quoc.
On the other hand, the 16 airports solely serving domestic flights are Lai Chau, Dien Bien, Sa Pa, Na San, Dong Hoi, Quang Tri, Phu Cat, Tuy Hoa, Pleiku, Buon Ma Thuot, Phan Thiet, Rach Gia, Ca Mau, Con Dao, Bien Hoa and Thanh Son.
According to the newly approved planning, Vietnam envisions having 14 international airports and 19 domestic airports by 2050.
The list of international airports includes Van Don, Hai Phong, Noi Bai, Tho Xuan, Vinh, Phu Bai, Da Nang, Chu Lai, Cam Ranh, Lien Khuong, Long Thanh, Tan Son Nhat, Can Tho and Phu Quoc.
The domestic airports encompass Lai Chau, Dien Bien, Sa Pa, Cao Bang, Na San, Cat Bi, Dong Hoi, Quang Tri, Phu Cat, Tuy Hoa, Pleiku, Buon Ma Thuot, Phan Thiet, Rach Gia, Ca Mau, Con Dao, Bien Hoa, Thanh Son and the second airport in the southern region of Hanoi.
The decision emphasises the country's commitment to develop the airport system in a synchronised and modern direction, ensuring it caters to transportation demands and facilitates extensive international integration.
Furthermore, the plan prioritises environmental protection, resource conservation, national defence and security, as well as improving the economy's competitiveness. By accomplishing these objectives, Vietnam aims to transform itself into a developing country with a modern industry and a high middle-income status by 2030.
As per the approved planning, it is projected that the total number of passengers passing through airports will reach approximately 275.9 million by 2030, accounting for 1.5-2 per cent of the market share in traffic transport and 3-4 per cent of the total intercity passenger transport volume.
The anticipated cargo volume through airports is estimated to be around 4.1 million tonnes, comprising 0.05-0.1 per cent of the market share in transportation.
Regarding infrastructure development, the master plan prioritises investment in key airports, such as Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi and Tan Son Nhat and Long Thanh International Airports in Ho Chi Minh City.
The plan also includes the gradual upgrade and efficient utilisation of existing airports, along with continued research and investment in new airports, with the goal of increasing the total designed capacity of the airport system to accommodate approximately 294.5 million passengers. — Bernama