Construction has formally begun on the civil aviation component of Phan Thiet Airport, a project valued at more than 3,900 billion VND (148,000 USD)
This announcement follows a groundbreaking ceremony held on 27 April in Lam Dong province. The event was organised by the Lam Dong Provincial People’s Committee in partnership with Sun Group, marking a step towards expanding air transport links in the Mui Ne–Phan Thiet area and the wider South Central Coast region.
Speaking at the event, Minister of Construction Tran Hong Minh said:I highly appreciate the efforts of the leaders, departments and agencies of Lam Dong province, the decisive and professional involvement of Sun Group Corporation - a business that has proven its capabilities through the practice of investing in, building, and operating Van Don International Airport and investing in expanding and operating Phu Quoc International Airport to serve APEC. This is evidence that Vietnamese private enterprises have sufficient vision and strength to participate in strategic national infrastructure projects - not only participating but also doing it well, quickly, and responsibly.
The Phan Thiet Airport is located in Mui Ne and will cover an area of nearly 75 hectares. It is planned to meet 4E airport standards, allowing for the operation of wide-body aircraft. In its first phase, the airport is expected to handle around 2 million passengers annually. The construction timeline is projected at two years.
The airport’s passenger terminal will have a floor area of approximately 18,000 square metres. Its design draws on elements associated with Champa cultural heritage, including architectural references to the Poshanu Towers. The design incorporates a multi-level dome structure and features intended to reflect symbolic and historical themes.
Infrastructure at the site will include an aircraft apron with six parking positions capable of accommodating both wide-body and narrow-body aircraft. A 45-metre air traffic control tower and associated navigation and weather monitoring systems are also planned. Supporting infrastructure such as utilities, internal transport routes and security systems will be developed in line with international aviation standards.
The airport is expected to initially serve domestic routes, with the capacity to handle non-scheduled international flights. Local authorities state that the project may contribute to reduced travel times between Phan Thiet and major cities such as Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang.
