British newspaper calls Long Thanh one of the largest airports in the world

Long Thanh will become one of the largest airports in the world - competing with airports in Dubai and Dallas.

"Inside the £9.5 billion super airport that is set to become one of the world's biggest" is the title of a recent article in the British newspaper Daily Mail .

Often considered one of the world's most budget-friendly travel destinations, Vietnam has seen a surge in popularity in recent years.

Vietnam's tourism industry has grown strongly in 2025. According to Market Research Vietnam, by mid-year, the number of visitors to Vietnam reached 10.7 million, an increase of 21% over the same period in 2024. In the past 9 months, Vietnam attracted 15.4 million international visitors, an increase of 21.5%, among the top tourist growth groups in the world.

Image of Long Thanh airport in British newspaper

Therefore, the new airport is expected to attract more tourists and will become the largest airport in the country, scheduled to open in 2026, after many years of construction.

With a total investment of more than 336,000 billion VND (9.5 billion GBP, equivalent to 16 billion USD), the airport will have three terminals along with four runways. The main waiting hall will have an 82m high glass roof shaped like a lotus flower.

The airport, located on a 5,000-hectare site in Long Thanh, is expected to replace the current Tan Son Nhat International Airport, with international flights being moved there. Tan Son Nhat International Airport will then only be able to serve domestic and short-haul international flights.

Long Thanh Airport, when completed, could handle up to 100 million passengers a year – with the first phase being about 25 million. This would make it one of the largest airports in the world – competing with airports in Dubai and Dallas, USA.

The fourth terminal and fourth runway are also expected to be built and completed by 2035. Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV) is the main developer of the project.

The new airport is located further away, about 40 km from the center of Ho Chi Minh City. Part of the plan to build the airport is to expand the highway connecting to the city, as well as a new metro line and high-speed train.

The airport is being developed in three phases, with the first phase expected to be completed in 2026. Subsequent phases will continue the expansion, with completion expected in 2035.

Top 10 largest airports in the world:

Long Thanh Airport is considered one of the largest airports in the world, ranking 6th in area when completed (50 km ² ). Top 10 largest airports in the world by existing area:

1. King Fahd (DMM) - Dammam, Saudi Arabia (776 km ² )

2. Denver (DEN) - USA (135.7 km ² )

3. Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) - Dallas, USA (69.6 km ² )

4. Orlando (MCO) - USA (69 km ² )

5. Washington Dulles (IAD) - Washington DC, USA (52.6 km ² )

6. Beijing Daxing (PKX) - Beijing, China (47 km ² )

7. George Bush (IAH) - Houston, USA (44.5 km ² )

8. Shanghai Pudong (PVG) - China (40 km ² )

9. Cairo (CAI) - Egypt (37 km ² )

10. Suvarnabhumi (BKK) - Bangkok, Thailand (32.4 km ² )

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/bao-anh-goi-long-thanh-la-mot-trong-nhung-san-bay-lon-nhat-the-gioi-185251021135135917.htm