Collaboration and sustainability in Vietnam’s aviation ambitions

Vietnam is embarking on an ambitious master plan. 
 
By 2050, the Government of Vietnam wants to build an airport network that can be accessed within 100 kilometres of the residence for 97 per cent of its population. 
 
To achieve this, Vietnam will expand its airport network from 22 to 30 airports by 2030, and a further 33 by 2050. 

As a majority state-owned company operating under the Ministry of Transport of Vietnam, Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV) is the leading airport operator in Vietnam tasked with managing, investing, and operating 22 out of the 23 airports across the country. 

“Our master plan for the 2030 to 2050 period outlines ambitious goals to develop a robust and resilient airport network that aligns with international standards,” says ACV’s Deputy General Director, Nguyen Cao Cuong, to GovInsider. 
 

The master plan was officially approved in 2023 by the state’s authorities.  

Tagged at an estimated bill of VND 420,000 billion (S$21.52 billion), the master plan represents confidence in the nation’s aviation sector having demonstrated resilience and strong recovery from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, according to Nguyen. 

“ACV is dedicated to sustainable growth and operational efficiency, which is why we are continuously investing in upgrading and expanding airport infrastructure across the north, central, and south regions of Vietnam,” he adds. 

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Meeting ambition with collaboration 

In his capacity as the deputy CEO of ACV, Nguyen stresses the importance of strategic planning and collaboration to coordinate complex infrastructure developments and integrate new technologies in the aviation industry. 

Participating at the recent Inter Airport Southeast Asia (IASEA) 2025 conference in March, Nguyen led a senior executive delegation from ACV to Singapore to present its master plan with the wider aviation industry in the region. 

Moreover, ACV’s presence at IASEA underscored the crucial role in exploring solutions and partnerships to support the completion of its greenfield Long Thanh International Airport. 

“Our participation in inter airport Southeast Asia (IASEA) 2025 reflects our commitment to advancing Vietnam’s aviation infrastructure and building partnerships with global industry leaders,” says Nguyen, noting the Asia Pacific region’s growing position as a leading hub for aviation innovation and efficiency.  

Having introduced automated check-ins and self-service technology at various airports within ACV, Nguyen explains that these innovations have streamlined the check-in process and reduced long lines, making the experience more efficient for passengers. 

A challenge that remains for ACV is the implementation of green solutions to meet emission targets as sustainability increasingly becomes another central focus in aviation development. 

“One of the primary hurdles is that sustainable initiatives often require substantial investment, not only in technology but also in the necessary infrastructure to support them,” he says. 

He cites the example of battery-operated ground service equipment demanding the installation of more dedicated charging stations. 

Additionally, integrating sustainable solutions also means adjusting and adapting existing operational workflows to ensure minimal disruption to service quality, according to Nguyen. 

Upskilling the workforce is required to operate, maintain, and manage these new technologies and leveraging data analytics, he adds.  

As ACV rolls out its plan to achieve its aviation ambitions with the right partners and innovations, Nguyen notes the wider role of the industry in supporting the nation’s growing development. 

“With the rapid growth in passenger volume over the past 10 years, especially the recovery of the aviation industry after the Covid-19 pandemic, ACV has developed investment plans for improvement in infrastructure to ensure efficient operations in our airports in Vietnam. 

“These efforts aim to meet the increasing passenger demand and support economic growth,” he says. 

North to south 

Nguyen shares that ACV’s passenger numbers were 112.3 million in 2023 and 109 million in 2024, reaching similar benchmarks to that of pre-pandemic levels at 116.3 million in 2019. 
 
With the expected completion of eight airports by 2030, the combined capacity across 14 international and 16 airports is estimated to accommodate 275.9 million passengers and 4.1 million tonnes of cargo. 

Progressive terminal and cargo development throughout its existing networks and infrastructure will help ACV meet these increased capacities by 2030 and into 2050. 

For instance, Noi Bai International Airport located north of the city of Hanoi is currently undergoing expansion for Terminal 2 to increase capacity to 15 million passengers, while Terminal 3 is under construction. 

The new Terminal 3 will further increase capacity by another 10 million passengers. 
 
In the south, the Long Thanh International Airport that is located roughly 40 kilometres outside the nation’s capital of Ho Chi Minh City is viewed as the crown jewel of the master plan, serving as an alternative to Tan Son Nhat International Airport to relieve its increasing traffic and demand. 

Currently under construction in three phases until 2040, the Long Thanh International Airport will progressively build and roll out its facilities across four terminals, two runways, and a cargo terminal that can accommodate 175 million passengers in total when completed. 
 
The Government of Vietnam is prioritising development and expansion of six key international airports in Long Thanh, Tan Son Nhat, Noi Bai, Da Nang, Cam Ranh, and Phu Quoc. 

Nine of 22 current airports serve international passengers while the remaining 13 are for domestic markets. By 2030, the 30-airport lineup will consist of 14 international and 16 domestic airports.