EN
Long Thanh Airport Opening and Operations: What International Travelers Need to Know in 2026
Last Updated: Monday, 19th October, 2026
Long Thanh International Airport is Ho Chi Minh City's new airport, about 40 km from the center, with commercial operations planned for late December 2026. At first only a few routes will move, and most international flights are expected to stay at Tan Son Nhat. Check the airport code on your ticket, LTH or SGN, and confirm with your airline.
Key takeaways:
- The opening date has moved more than once. Treat any date as provisional until your airline confirms it.
- Only a small number of routes are planned to move first. Most international flights are expected to remain at Tan Son Nhat for now.
- Always check the airport code on your ticket: LTH is Long Thanh, SGN is Tan Son Nhat.
- Long Thanh is considerably farther from the city center, so plan extra travel time.
- Confirm that your visa and entry port match your arrival airport before you fly.
What Is Long Thanh International Airport, and Where Does It Stand?
Long Thanh International Airport is a new international airport in Dong Nai province, built to serve Ho Chi Minh City and relieve Tan Son Nhat. It is about 40 km from the city center. Phase one is described as a single terminal and one runway, designed for around 25 million passengers a year, with larger phases planned later.
Here is the timeline as reported, with the caveat that it has changed:
| Milestone | Reported date |
|---|---|
| Technical opening and first test flights | 19 December 2025 |
| Trial operations | From September 2026, reported |
| Planned commercial start | 1 December 2026, reported earlier; 24 December 2026, reported more recently |
| End of the current winter flight schedule | 27 March 2027 |
Reports about the opening date are not consistent, and it has shifted before. That is exactly why you should not book a trip around a date you read online, including this one. Confirm with your airline, close to your travel date.
Long Thanh Airport Immigration and Your Visa
Every international passenger arriving in Vietnam must clear immigration at the airport where they land. At Long Thanh airport immigration, the same rules apply as anywhere in Vietnam: you need a valid passport and either a visa, an eVisa or a visa exemption, depending on your nationality.
The detail that deserves care is the entry port on your eVisa. An eVisa lists the ports where you may enter, and your first entry must match one of them. Before you fly into Long Thanh, check that it is an allowed entry port for your eVisa and that it matches what you declared.
Fast Track and Meet and Greet at Long Thanh
Photo: Collected
Many travelers use airport fast track Vietnam services to shorten the immigration queue, and a Long Thanh airport meet and greet can help if you are arriving at an unfamiliar new terminal, with family, or with a tight connection.
Here is what to keep in mind:
- Availability of any fast track or meet and greet service depends on each airport and provider. A service that exists at Tan Son Nhat or Noi Bai is not automatically available at a new airport.
- A Long Thanh airport fast track service, where offered, shortens queue time at immigration. It does not replace your visa and it does not skip security or customs checks.
- No service can promise an exact waiting time.
Getting From Long Thanh Airport to the City
Long Thanh is farther from central Ho Chi Minh City than Tan Son Nhat, so your journey will take longer. Reports describe a new expressway connection. Rail links are planned but are not yet something you can rely on.
What this means in practice:
- Allow extra time, especially if you have a connecting flight or a fixed appointment.
- Arrange your transport before you land, and tell your driver the exact airport name and code.
- If you are connecting between Long Thanh and Tan Son Nhat on separate tickets, treat it as a full journey across the city, not a short transfer.
Checklist Before You Fly
- Check the airport code on your ticket: LTH or SGN.
- Check it again 48 to 72 hours before departure, in case your airline updated the schedule.
- Confirm that your visa or eVisa entry port is valid for your arrival airport.
- Confirm your pickup location and the exact airport name with your driver or hotel.
- If you need fast track or meet and greet, confirm availability at your arrival airport in advance.
- Allow extra time for the longer journey into the city.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: When does Long Thanh International Airport open?
Commercial operations have been reported for late December 2026, after an earlier reported date of 1 December. The date has changed before, so confirm with your airline.
Q2: Which airport will my international flight use?
It depends on your airline and route. Only a few routes are planned to move first, and many are expected to stay at Tan Son Nhat. Check the airport code on your ticket.
Q3: Is Long Thanh farther from the city than Tan Son Nhat?
Yes. It is about 40 km from the city center, so plan more time for the journey.
Q4: Is there a train or metro to Long Thanh Airport?
Rail links are planned but should not be assumed to be available yet. Plan on road transport.
Q5: Can I book fast track or meet and greet at Long Thanh?
Availability depends on the provider. Check before booking, and do not assume a service offered at another airport is available at the new one.
Conclusion
Long Thanh International Airport is a big change for Ho Chi Minh City, but in its first phase most travelers will only notice it if their ticket says LTH. Check your airport code, confirm the date with your airline, make sure your entry port matches, and allow extra time to reach the city. Because dates and routes are still moving, treat any information, including this page, as a starting point and re-check close to your trip.
👉 VAF – Your trusted travel and connectivity partner in Vietnam. Book here
If you have any questions or need personalized guidance, don’t hesitate to reach out to our expert team:
-
Whatsapp: +84379522522
-
Hotline: +84.379.522.522
-
Email: [email protected]
