Guests visit the construction site of Long Thanh International Airport on the morning of June 27 - Photo: QUANG DINH
Long Thanh is not only an international airport but is expected to become a modern airport city, the development nucleus of the Southern key economic region. How to effectively connect with Ho Chi Minh City, spread the development momentum and avoid the situation of "just an airport"?
Promoting efficiency when Long Thanh airport operates
The answer was dissected by experts, managers, and businesses at a workshop organized by Tuoi Tre newspaper on June 27. The workshop brought together leaders of central and local ministries, experts, associations, and businesses to discuss solutions for developing connecting infrastructure and urban planning for airports.
Long Thanh is oriented to become a modern airport city, integrating an international airport with surrounding urban, industrial, logistics, commercial and service areas. However, without synchronous and effective connections, Long Thanh is at risk of remaining only a simple transport airport.
Long Thanh airport items are gradually being completed - Photo: VAN TRUNG
In his opening speech, Mr. Tran Xuan Toan - Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Tuoi Tre Newspaper - said that with the strong direction of the Prime Minister , the Long Thanh International Airport project has clearly taken shape. Through actual surveys, most of the key items such as the air traffic control tower, passenger terminal, runway No. 1, etc. are being constructed on schedule.
The connecting routes and the Long Thanh - Dau Giay expressway system have also been basically completed. According to the plan, the project will be basically completed by the end of 2025 and put into operation in 2026.
"However, according to the organizers, the bigger issue than the construction progress is when the super project comes into operation, how will Long Thanh connect with other regions to maximize its role as a development driving force?", Mr. Toan emphasized.
Citing the example of the National Assembly approving the investment policy for the Ring Road 4 project connecting inter-regions and forming satellite urban areas expected to be accepted and exploited from 2026, at the same time as Long Thanh airport is put into operation, Mr. Toan said that the Organizing Committee has ordered scientists , traffic experts, and public policy experts to study successful airport development models in the world such as Narita (Japan) or airports in Shanghai and Beijing to become regional development centers.
"With Long Thanh, the question is how to take advantage of the connection with Ho Chi Minh City - the largest financial and commercial center in the country, the seaport system, logistics to spread development. We not only need to connect hard with transport infrastructure but also in logistics, finance, and industry to maximize investment efficiency, creating momentum for the key economic region in the South," Mr. Toan shared.
Long Thanh airport runway has taken shape - Photo: VAN TRUNG
Airport cities and the problem of regional institutions and policies
Emphasizing the importance of restructuring the Southeast region's space, according to Mr. Truong Minh Huy Vu - Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Institute for Development Studies - on July 1, after many discussions, the Southeast region will basically have 3 core localities: Ho Chi Minh City, Dong Nai, Tay Ninh. Restructuring the development space is very important.
"We already have Ring Road 3, this morning the National Assembly approved Ring Road 4, defining the connecting traffic system. The problem is how to rezone the development," Mr. Vu said.
According to him, the driving force for development is not only the airport but also the airport city, with an estimated investment capital of about 40 billion USD, connecting with Tan Son Nhat, Cai Mep - Thi Vai port, Can Gio and the logistics system, seaport.
The air traffic control tower at Long Thanh airport is under construction - Photo: VAN TRUNG
Raising the question of whether Long Thanh and the port cluster can become a strong driving force for development in industry, logistics, and processing, Mr. Vu also emphasized that this morning the National Assembly approved the policy of building the Ho Chi Minh City International Financial Center, thereby attracting capital and creating stronger investment attraction.
In particular, Mr. Vu noted the 8,300-hectare free trade zone project in Long Thanh. "Wherever there is a free trade zone associated with a seaport or airport, it will create a strong momentum. The problem is how to design traffic connections, develop a chain of industrial parks, industrial belts, logistics, digital data... in a synchronous manner," he said.
He also pointed out that the challenge of airport access infrastructure is a big problem. Ho Chi Minh City is reviewing the metro and railway networks connecting Long Thanh. It is necessary to consider the railway connecting Binh Duong, Thu Dau Mot or District 7 - Can Gio. We must focus on connecting traffic routes.
In addition, Mr. Vu said that it is necessary to pay special attention to institutional and procedural connections and reform procedures to avoid major projects being delayed or over budget. He proposed expanding the special mechanism of Resolution 98 of Ho Chi Minh City to the entire Southeast region to promote the rapid implementation of key infrastructure.
"Currently, we have two free trade projects, Cai Mep Ha and Long Thanh - Dong Nai, both of which are in the final stages. Our point of view is that we must consider this a unified combination of policies, transportation, and methods. It may be two proposals but they have the same goal, not competing but complementing each other," Mr. Vu emphasized.
Long Thanh Airport - the nucleus to promote regional connectivity
Speaking to Tuoi Tre Online before the conference, Mr. Le Hoang Chau - Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City Real Estate Association - commented that Long Thanh airport will play a key role in promoting strong regional connectivity.
He emphasized that the important highlight for this connection is the free trade zone project being built by Dong Nai province near Long Thanh airport, a project expected to carry many aspirations to contribute to the country's development.
According to the Dong Nai Provincial People's Committee, the project has been assigned to the Department of Finance to preside over its development. Currently, the Department of Finance has coordinated with the Vietnam Airports Corporation (ACV) to basically complete the content and is continuing to consult with experts before officially submitting it to the Government.
The total investment capital for this free trade zone is estimated at about 16 billion USD, with a total area of nearly 8,300 hectares. The area will be planned into four functional sub-zones.
Mr. Chau also said that it is necessary to continue research to expand the area and scale of this free trade zone, while promoting connections with the seaport system, thereby increasing the efficiency of the logistics chain and creating momentum for regional economic development.
Source: https://tuoitre.vn/ha-tang-giao-thong-dong-bo-de-long-thanh-khong-chi-la-san-bay-20250627134551956.htm
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