Huge £9,500,000,000 airport rivalling Dubai to open in an affordable holiday destination

It’s in the shape of Vietnam’s national flower (Picture: Heerim Design Architects)

A brand new airport is set to open in 2026, and it’ll become one of the largest travel hubs in the world.

Serving Vietnam, one of the cheapest holiday destinations in the world, this £9.5 billion airport has been under construction for years.

Named Long Thanh Airport, it could eventually welcome up to 100 million passengers each year, meaning it’ll rival the likes of Dubai and Atlanta.

Here’s everything you need to know.

When is the Long Thanh Airport opening date?

The exact opening date of Long Thanh Airport is yet to be announced, but it’s hoped commercial operations will begin in mid-2026.

It won’t be complete though, with another fourth terminal and runway being built and opened by 2035.

The airport took one more step toward opening on September 26, when its first runway calibration flight took place, with a small jet flying from the city’s main airport to Long Thanh.

It has a glass front with parts of the roof shaped like petals (Picture: Heerim Design Architects)

It circled multiple times before making a low-altitude flight along the length of runway number one.

This is a mandatory step before any airport can open, involving simulated takeoffs and landings from different directions and altitudes, to make sure everything is safe and accurate.

The airport opening is intended to boost tourism from it’s already impressive 17.5 million international visitors last year.

Where is the Long Thanh Airport?

The airport is on 50 square kilometres of land in Long Thanh a district in the Dong Nai Province, which is often overlooked by tourists.

It’s 40 kilometres east of Ho Chi Minh city and is slightly further out than Vietnam’s current main airport Tan Son Nhat International Airport.

Currently it takes an hours drive to get to the capital city from the new airport.

A map showing Ho Chi Minh city and Long Thanh Airport (Picture: Metro)

The motorway is expected to be expanded to make it easier to reach the city, and a new metro line and high speed train will also be added to cut journey times.

International flights will be moved over to Long Thanh Airport when it’s operational.

Take a peak inside Long Thanh Airport

The airport looks pretty impressive, especially the main concourse. It features an 82 metre glass roof section in the shape of a lotus flower.

The entire roof is also in the shape of a larger lotus.

An ariel picture of Long Thanh Airport in the shape of a lotus flower (Picture: Heerim Design Architects) The main concourse has an 82 metre glass roof in the shape of a lotus flower (Picture: Heerim Design Architects)

This is Vietnam’s national flower which symbolises purity, commitment and optimism. One of the terminals seems to stretch directly out, as if it’s a stem, while the two other terminals branch off diagonally.

It also features a water fountain in the centre of the airport, as well as designer stores and seating areas. It also has a glass front.

The spacious entry area features palm trees and multiple check-in desks (Picture: Heerim Design Architects) The airport will feature designer stores and a green seating area (Picture: Heerim Design Architects)

What are the travel rules for Vietnam?

The rules for travelling to Vietnam from the UK are fairly relaxed. British passport holders don’t need a visa for stays of 45 days or less, for either tourism or business.

Your passport must have an expiry date at least six months after the date you arrive, and at least two blank pages.

Brits have also been denied entry and exit due to passport damage, so you need to make sure it’s kept in good condition.

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