Long Thanh’s First Passenger Arrival Signals Vietnam’s Next Aviation Gateway
A milestone landing at Long Thanh (LTH)
Long Thanh International Airport (LTH) reached a major operational milestone on December 19, 2025, when a Vietnam Airlines Boeing 787 Dreamliner became the first passenger flight to land on Runway 1. The arrival formally marked the start of civil aviation activity at the new airport in Dong Nai Province—positioned to become the primary future gateway for the Ho Chi Minh City (SGN) region.
The inaugural flight: Vietnam Airlines (HAN–LTH)
The first passenger service—operated as Vietnam Airlines flight VN1—flew from Hanoi Noi Bai (HAN) to Long Thanh (LTH) and carried senior government officials along with invited passengers as part of the launch ceremonies. After landing, officials and airport leaders held an on-site welcome event to mark the beginning of Phase 1 operations.
Follow-on movements from Ho Chi Minh City (SGN)
Shortly after the Vietnam Airlines (HAN–LTH) arrival, two additional narrowbody aircraft operated by Vietjet Air and Bamboo Airways flew from Ho Chi Minh City Tan Son Nhat (SGN) to Long Thanh (LTH). These flights were positioned as operational and technical movements supporting the opening sequence, and the aircraft later returned to SGN the same day.
Why Long Thanh (LTH) matters for the south
Tan Son Nhat (SGN) has long faced capacity pressure, and Long Thanh (LTH) is intended to absorb a substantial share of the region’s growth—especially international traffic—once fully operational. Located roughly 40 km from central Ho Chi Minh City, the airport is designed to shift the region toward a multi-airport system, with LTH eventually taking on the role of the main long-haul gateway.
A phased buildout with “Smart Green Airport” ambitions
Phase 1 has focused on core airside readiness (runway, taxiways, apron) while the passenger terminal and surface-transport links continue toward full public operations. The overall master plan targets 25 million passengers per year in Phase 1, with expansion to 100 million passengers annually at full buildout, alongside major cargo capability. Planned features include biometric passenger processing, a modern airport operations control center, and automated baggage handling integrated with national systems.
Bottom Line
Long Thanh International Airport (LTH) has now welcomed its first passenger flight—an important step toward shifting southern Vietnam’s aviation growth beyond Tan Son Nhat (SGN). With civil operations initiated and Phase 1 infrastructure in place, the next test will be the transition from ceremonial launches to sustained, high-volume commercial service in 2026 and beyond.
