Long Thanh International Airport and Its Growing Impact on Air Freight and Logistics

Vietnam’s logistics landscape is entering a decisive new phase. As manufacturing output rises, trade volumes expand, and supply chains become more time sensitive, air freight has moved from a niche transport mode to a strategic necessity. For exporters and importers operating in Southern Vietnam, capacity constraints at Tan Son Nhat Airport have long been a limiting factor. 

Long Thanh International Airport is designed to solve that problem and more. Planned as Vietnam’s largest aviation infrastructure project, Long Thanh goes far beyond serving as an overflow airport. It is designed to function as a regional aviation and logistics hub, built with the scale, efficiency, and connectivity needed to support Vietnam’s next phase of trade growth. 

This article explains what Long Thanh International Airport is, its development status, how its cargo infrastructure will work, and why it matters for logistics, exporters, and importers. It also outlines how you can prepare your air freight strategy with the right logistics partner as this transformation unfolds. 

2. Basic Information and Strategic Role 

Long Thanh International Airport is located in Long Thanh District, Dong Nai Province, approximately forty kilometres east of Ho Chi Minh City. Its position places it at the heart of Southern Vietnam’s industrial belt, with direct access to Ho Chi Minh City, Binh Duong, Dong Nai, Ba Ria Vung Tau, and key expressway networks. 

The airport is designed to serve as Vietnam’s primary international aviation gateway, gradually taking over long haul and high volume traffic from Tan Son Nhat Airport. At full completion, Long Thanh is expected to rank among the largest airports in Southeast Asia by passenger and cargo capacity. 

The strategic purpose of Long Thanh is threefold. First, to relieve congestion at Tan Son Nhat. Second, to support long term growth in international trade and manufacturing. Third, to position Vietnam as a regional logistics and aviation hub connecting Asia, Europe, and North America. 

For air freight logistics, this shift is critical. The airport is being designed from the ground up with modern cargo handling, integrated logistics zones, and room for expansion that Tan Son Nhat simply cannot provide due to urban constraints. 

3. Development Status and Timeline 

Long Thanh International Airport is being developed in multiple phases. 

Phase One includes one runway, one passenger terminal, and a dedicated cargo terminal with supporting logistics infrastructure. Construction officially began in early 2021, with major milestones achieved through 2023 and 2024 including ground works, runway foundations, terminal structures, and access road development. 

According to official project announcements from Airports Corporation of Vietnam and the Ministry of Transport, Phase One is targeted for completion and initial operation around 2026. Subsequent phases will expand runway capacity, terminal space, and cargo handling areas through the 2030s, ultimately reaching a design capacity of approximately one hundred million passengers and five million tonnes of cargo per year. 

This level of long term planning shows that Long Thanh is more than a temporary solution. It is a generational infrastructure investment built to strengthen Vietnam’s logistics competitiveness for decades to come. 

4. Infrastructure and Cargo Facilities 

From a logistics perspective, Long Thanh’s infrastructure is where its true value lies. 

Runways and airside capacity 
The airport is planned with up to four runways at full build out. Phase One includes a long runway capable of handling wide body aircraft such as Boeing 777, 787, and Airbus A350. This allows direct long haul cargo and passenger flights without payload restrictions, a key limitation at Tan Son Nhat. 

Cargo terminals and handling 
Long Thanh’s cargo facilities are being designed with modern air freight requirements in mind. Dedicated cargo terminals will support general cargo, express shipments, perishables, pharmaceuticals, and high value goods. Space has been allocated for cold chain handling, automated sorting systems, and secure storage zones. 

Unlike Tan Son Nhat, where cargo operations compete for space with passenger flows, Long Thanh separates these functions clearly. This reduces congestion, improves handling speed, and increases reliability for exporters and importers. 

Connectivity and logistics integration 
Long Thanh’s effectiveness depends on ground connectivity. The airport is linked to major infrastructure projects including the Long Thanh Dau Giay Expressway, Bien Hoa Vung Tau Expressway, and future ring roads connecting Ho Chi Minh City’s ports and industrial zones. 

Planned logistics parks and bonded warehouse zones around the airport will allow cargo to move seamlessly between air freight, road transport, and seaport operations. This integration is especially important for time sensitive supply chains and multimodal strategies. 

5. Impact on Air Freight and Logistics in Southern Vietnam 

The opening of Long Thanh International Airport is set to transform the landscape of air freight in Southern Vietnam. With greater capacity, airlines will gain the flexibility to increase both dedicated freighter services and belly cargo space, no longer constrained by limited flight slots. This expansion is particularly vital for sectors like electronics, garments, seafood, and high value manufacturing, where reliable outbound capacity is essential. 

Improved infrastructure and streamlined handling will also lead to faster processing times. Reduced congestion on the tarmac and better access via upgraded road networks will shorten door to door delivery schedules, supporting exporters with time sensitive shipments and importers who rely on lean inventory models. 

At the same time, the new airport's design and scale will help stabilise costs. Common issues at Tan Son Nhat—such as congestion related surcharges, unexpected storage fees, and last minute rerouting—can be mitigated through purpose built cargo zones and more efficient flows. 

For businesses involved in cross border trade and freight strategy, this shift presents a meaningful opportunity to rethink air cargo operations, consolidate shipments more effectively, and develop a logistics model that is both faster and more resilient. 

6. Comparison With Tan Son Nhat Airport 

Tan Son Nhat Airport has played a vital role in Vietnam’s trade growth, but it faces structural limitations. 

It is located within dense urban development, restricting runway expansion and cargo terminal growth. Traffic congestion around the airport often adds hours to trucking times. Cargo handling areas are limited, leading to bottlenecks during peak seasons. 

Long Thanh addresses these issues directly. It offers room to expand. It separates passenger and cargo flows more efficiently. It connects to purpose built expressways rather than inner city roads. 

Rather than replacing Tan Son Nhat entirely, the two airports will likely operate in parallel. Tan Son Nhat will continue serving domestic and regional flights, while Long Thanh handles long haul international routes and large scale cargo operations. 

For your business, this means more routing options and greater flexibility in choosing the right airport for each shipment. 

7. Practical Implications for Exporters and Importers 

For exporters, Long Thanh creates opportunities to reach global markets faster and more reliably. Electronics, garments, footwear, and high value manufacturing stand to benefit most from increased direct flight options and improved cargo handling. 

>> Logistics 101: The Complete Guide to Import Goods to Vietnam

For importers, especially those sourcing components from China, Korea, Japan, or Europe, the airport improves inbound reliability. Faster clearance and better logistics integration reduce production disruptions and inventory risk. 

Vietnam China trade in particular will benefit. Air freight plays a growing role in cross border supply chains where speed and flexibility matter. Long Thanh strengthens Vietnam’s position as a regional distribution and assembly hub within Asian manufacturing networks. 

However, these benefits are not automatic. Businesses need to plan early, understand new routing options, and work with logistics partners who can adapt operations as the airport comes online. 

8. How We Support Air Freight Around Long Thanh 

As Vietnam’s aviation infrastructure continues to expand, logistics strategies must adapt in tandem. Navigating this shift calls for proactive strategy, grounded in foresight, adaptability, and tightly aligned operations. 

To support this transition, VICO Logistics helps businesses build routing plans that balance the capabilities of both Tan Son Nhat and Long Thanh during the handover period. This dual-airport strategy ensures freight continuity and avoids disruption as capacity shifts. 

Customs clearance, documentation, and compliance are handled with precision, leveraging early insight into new terminal procedures and regulatory frameworks. This reduces risk and keeps shipments on schedule, even as new infrastructure comes online. 

Our operations also integrate trucking, warehousing, and consolidation across Southern Vietnam’s industrial zones, allowing cargo to move seamlessly between production sites, airports, and distribution points. 

Ultimately, our focus goes beyond moving goods. We work to position your supply chain to seize the full potential of Vietnam’s emerging logistics era. Long Thanh is a structural evolution in how Vietnam connects to global markets. 

9. Conclusion 

Long Thanh International Airport represents one of the most significant infrastructure investments in Vietnam’s modern history. Its scale, location, and design position it as a future anchor for air freight and logistics in Southern Vietnam. 

For exporters and importers, the airport offers more than additional capacity. It provides reliability, connectivity, and the ability to build more resilient supply chains in an increasingly competitive global environment. 

As Long Thanh moves toward operation, the businesses that benefit most will be those that plan early, understand the logistics implications, and work with partners who can navigate change with confidence. 

With the right strategy and support, Long Thanh can serve as a powerful logistical advantage in your broader supply chain. 

Learn more next article at Why Vietnam’s Industrial Parks Are Attracting Chinese Investors