Vietnam Prepares to Open Long Thanh International Airport
The transition of international flights to the new Long Thanh airport will change transit times and logistics for travelers and expats based in or visiting Ho Chi Minh City.
Vietnam Prepares to Open Long Thanh International Airport
Vietnam is entering the final stretch of construction for Long Thanh International Airport, with commercial operations scheduled to begin in June 2026. Located about 40 km east of Ho Chi Minh City in Dong Nai province, this massive $4.2 billion project is designed to take the pressure off the aging Tan Son Nhat Airport. The first phase includes a smart passenger terminal equipped with biometrics and a 4,000-meter runway capable of handling 25 million passengers annually.
Technical test flights already successfully touched down in late 2025, and the government has fast-tracked the remaining infrastructure to ensure the June 11, 2026, effective date remains on track.
Who is affected
The shift will significantly change how digital nomads and expats access southern Vietnam. Most international flights, particularly long-haul routes over 1,000 km, will move to Long Thanh. Meanwhile, Tan Son Nhat will focus on domestic flights and short regional hops to places like Thailand or Cambodia.
While the new terminal promises faster biometric clearance and "five-star" amenities, the trade-off is a much longer commute. Travelers should prepare for a 45 to 90-minute journey to the city center, compared to the 15 to 20-minute trip from the current airport.
What you should do
If you are planning travel to or from Ho Chi Minh City after June 2026, keep these logistics in mind:
- Check your arrival airport: Confirm whether your airline has migrated to Long Thanh before booking airport transfers.
- Budget extra transit time: Account for the 40 km distance when planning departures; while new expressways are in progress, traffic in the region remains unpredictable.
- Monitor transport links: Look for updated shuttle and private car services that will connect the new terminal to District 1 and District 2.
Stay informed on the latest nomad news to see how these infrastructure changes impact your travel costs.
Read our full Vietnam guide for the complete picture.