Vietnam’s Mekong Delta steps up airport expansions to unlock regional growth

Several provinces in Vietnam’s Mekong Delta are accelerating airport upgrades to boost tourism and prepare for major events, in line with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s push for regional economic breakthroughs.

Airport upgrades for APEC 2027

In Kien Giang Province, authorities are actively working to upgrade Phu Quoc International Airport and Rach Gia Airport to accommodate growing tourist demand as well as to serve the 2027 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders’ Meeting, which Vietnam will host on Phu Quoc Island.

Tran Minh Khoa, chairman of the People’s Committee in Phu Quoc City, said that local authorities have begun preparations including geotechnical drilling and land surveys to extend the existing runway, construct a second runway, build new terminals and apron areas, and develop a VIP lounge for visiting heads of state.

The provincial Department of Agriculture and Environment and relevant agencies are advancing land clearance and resettlement efforts, aiming to allocate around 2,000 plots to support upcoming projects.

Elsewhere in Kien Giang, the Rach Gia Airport is also on the list for upgrades as part of the broader infrastructure plan.

Nguyen Thanh Nhan, chairman of the provincial administration, said that the provincial leadership has identified 18 public and 12 private projects in support of APEC 2027, urging relevant agencies to report weekly progress and promptly address obstacles.

In the southernmost province of Ca Mau, a VND2.4-trillion (US$92 million) expansion of its airport was approved by PM Chinh late last year to accommodate Airbus A320 and A321 aircraft.

The Ca Mau Airport expansion project includes constructing a new 2,400-meter runway; building a taxiway linking the runway with the apron area; expanding the existing terminal to handle up to one million passengers annually; and improving road connections to the wider Mekong region, according to Lam Van Bi, vice-chairman of the Ca Mau administration.

Authorities are ramping up the clearance and handover involving over 105 hectares of land to serve the airport expansion project.

Up to now, more than 40 hectares of land has already been cleared and handed over for development, involving compensation to over 460 households and three organizations.

Phu Quoc’s infrastructure lags behind

Despite the rapid growth, tourism experts warned that infrastructure in Phu Quoc still lags behind.

In the first quarter of 2025, the island city welcomed approximately two million visitors, with more expected following a surge in international tour operator interest.

Industry leaders stressed the need to widen roads and accelerate airport upgrades to meet global tourism standards.

Under a master plan approved by the Ministry of Construction in mid-April, Phu Quoc International Airport will have its capacity expanded from four million to 10 million passengers annually by 2030 and up to 18 million by 2050.

Cargo handling is also set to rise dramatically, from 25,000 metric tons by 2030 to 500,000 metric tons by 2050.

The plan includes 30 aircraft parking positions by 2030, expanding to 45 by 2050.

Leaders of real estate and tourism associations in Vietnam believed that these developments would be key to positioning Phu Quoc as a premier destination in Southeast Asia.

The upgraded airports are expected to play a pivotal role in transforming the Mekong Delta into a gateway for international trade, investment, and tourism.

Tuoi Tre News

(2025/05/14-18:06)