The passenger terminal at Long Thanh airport is in the final equipment installation stage as the project prepares for trial operations. The project is being developed to meet green, smart and international five-star airport standards.
The terminal has a modern design inspired by bamboo and lotus flowers, symbols associated with Vietnamese culture. The design combines architectural appearance, practical use and environmental measures.
The terminal uses an open layout and natural light. Its materials and systems are intended to reduce energy use and carbon emissions.
Part of the roof and interior of the terminal's west wing is largely complete. According to Airports Corporation of Vietnam, or ACV, the central section and west wing will be the first areas used for trial operations.
The operating plan allows passengers to check in with biometric identification, drop off baggage themselves and complete some procedures through self-service systems.
The digital passenger journey will use biometrics for check-in, automated baggage drop and departure procedures. Passengers will not need traditional identity documents for these steps.
The airport is using a modern baggage conveyor system. Teams are testing it as they prepare the system for the launch schedule.
The terminal will also have smart systems, including the Smart APOC airport operations centre and an automated baggage handling system connected to Vietnam's national population database.
Engineers are monitoring tests of the baggage conveyor, one of the systems needed for future terminal operations.
The terminal is designed around a large open interior. Natural light enters through the vaulted roof and skylights, while halls, check-in desks, corridors and security gates are connected through the building.
The glass roof of the first phase brings in natural light and forms a major architectural feature of the terminal.
The terminal exterior is largely complete and connected to taxiways, the apron, the runway and the control tower.
The building uses a lotus-petal design and a distinctive vaulted roof.
Nguyen Duc Hung, acting general director of ACV, said four work packages had been completed in full. They cover transport links for routes 1 and 2, site preparation and drainage, passenger-terminal foundations and the boundary fence within the 1,810-hectare area. Eight other packages are on schedule, with many major components more than 90% complete.
ACV will conduct trial operations at Long Thanh airport in October and November. It will then assess risks and confirm that the systems, infrastructure and staff are ready before the airport officially opens. The aviation fuel hydrant system, or FHS, is also due to complete testing and seek approval from the Civil Aviation Authority in November.
During the first stage, ACV will use the central section and west wing for domestic and short-haul international flights. The planned maximum is 366 flights a week, including 322 domestic and 44 international flights.
At an inspection of the project on the morning of October 4, Standing Deputy Prime Minister Pham Gia Tuc said the project was more than 80% complete. Four work packages had been finished and several major facilities were nearly ready. Some contractors were behind schedule, however, while the remaining workload was still large. The deputy prime minister ordered the parties to speed up work and said flights would not begin without safety and full readiness.
Long Thanh airport in Dong Nai Province is a national project with an estimated total investment of about US$5 billion. It covers 5,364 hectares and is designed to handle 100 million passengers a year. The project has three phases: 2021–2025, 2025–2030 and 2035–2040.
Sources: Dân Trí
