Long Thanh Airport: What International Travellers Need to Know (2026)
Long Thanh International Airport (code LTH), Ho Chi Minh City’s new airport in Dong Nai, about 40 km east of the city centre, is set to open to commercial flights from 00:00 on 24 December 2026, according to the Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV). Tan Son Nhat (SGN) stays open, and international flights move to Long Thanh in stages until late 2027.
visa-vietnam.hk is a private visa service, not the Vietnamese government. Opening dates have changed several times, so always check with your airline.
Opening date: what is confirmed
| Item | Status on 9 November 2026 |
|---|---|
| Commercial opening | 00:00, 24 December 2026 (ACV, reported 30–31 October 2026) |
| Earlier targets | September 2025, then mid-2026, then 1 December 2026 |
| First weeks | Up to 366 flights a week: 322 domestic and 44 international |
| Airlines | Vietnam Airlines (domestic and a few international routes) and Vietjet (domestic) |
| Ticket sales | Not yet open for Long Thanh flights as of 30 October 2026 |
| Capacity, phase 1 | 25 million passengers a year, one terminal |
Which flights move, phase by phase
| Phase | Dates | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 24 December 2026 – 27 March 2027 | Airlines may move flights, but do not have to. Vietnam Airlines plans about 26 international and 14 domestic flights a week at Long Thanh, on short routes to Hong Kong, Beijing, Guangzhou and Manila. Vietjet starts with some domestic routes. |
| 2 | 28 March – 29 October 2027 | All long-haul international flights move to Long Thanh, for example from Europe, Australia and the United States. |
| 3 | From 30 October 2027 | Almost all remaining international flights move to Long Thanh. Vietnamese airlines may keep routes under 1,000 km at Tan Son Nhat. |
Vietnam Airlines has said its long-haul flights from Europe and Australia in December 2026 and January 2027 still land at Tan Son Nhat.
Long Thanh or Tan Son Nhat? Check your ticket
- LTH on your ticket or booking = Long Thanh. SGN = Tan Son Nhat.
- Both airports show “Ho Chi Minh City” on many booking sites, so look for the code, not the city name.
- If your airline moves your flight, check the email it sends you. Passengers moved from Tan Son Nhat to Long Thanh pay no difference in the airport charge.
- The international passenger service charge at Long Thanh is USD 25 (USD 20 at Tan Son Nhat). It is included in your ticket price.
- Connecting to a domestic flight? Check that both flights use the same airport. The two airports are about 46 km apart by road.
Visas at Long Thanh
E-visa
Yes. Long Thanh is on the e-visa list under Resolution 389/NQ-CP, from the day it opens. What matters is the type of port you chose: if you chose any airport when you applied, you can land at Long Thanh. See all 83 e-visa ports.
Visa on arrival
Yes. Choose Long Thanh as your arrival airport when you apply for the approval letter. You collect the visa at the landing visa counter: 15 days, single entry, USD 25 stamping fee in cash. See our visa on arrival guide.
Chinese e-passports
Holders of Chinese mainland e-passports collect a loose-leaf visa at the landing visa counter, as at other airports.
Visa-free entry
If your passport is visa-exempt, the same rules apply at Long Thanh. See our visa exemption list.
Pre-arrival declaration
The free pre-arrival declaration currently covers Noi Bai, Tan Son Nhat, Da Nang, Cam Ranh and Phu Quoc. We have not seen Long Thanh added yet; check prearrival.immigration.gov.vn before you fly.
What to expect at immigration in the first months
A new terminal takes time to settle: signs, staff routines and passenger flows are all new. From 24 December to late March 2027 there are fewer international flights, mostly from Hong Kong, mainland China and Manila. From late March 2027, long-haul flights arrive, often close together in the early morning.
If you want a guide through an unfamiliar terminal, see Long Thanh airport fast track.
Getting to Ho Chi Minh City
| Option | What we know |
|---|---|
| Car or taxi | About 40 km to District 1 by the Ho Chi Minh City – Long Thanh – Dau Giay expressway. Allow at least an hour, more at rush hour. |
| Ride-hailing | Cars wait in a holding area and are called to a pick-up lane in front of the terminal. |
| Bus to Tan Son Nhat | Route 72-1 is being changed to link Tan Son Nhat and Long Thanh from 28 November 2026, about 90 minutes. |
| Other buses | 16 routes are planned, including to Saigon bus station, Mien Dong and Mien Tay bus stations, Thu Thiem and Vung Tau. Not running yet in October 2026. |
| Rail | A light-rail link to Thu Thiem is planned; not running yet. |
FAQ
When does Long Thanh Airport open?
Commercial flights are set to start at 00:00 on 24 December 2026. The date has moved before, so check with your airline.
Will my Hong Kong flight land at Long Thanh?
Possibly. Vietnam Airlines plans Hong Kong–Long Thanh flights from the opening. Check the airport code on your ticket: LTH or SGN.
Can I use my e-visa at Long Thanh?
Yes, if you chose an airport when you applied.
Can I get a visa on arrival at Long Thanh?
Yes. Choose Long Thanh as your arrival airport on your application.
How far is Long Thanh from Tan Son Nhat?
About 46 km by road; the bus takes about 90 minutes.
Facts checked on 9 November 2026 against ACV announcements reported by VnExpress, Tuoi Tre and Thanh Nien, Resolution 389/NQ-CP, and Ho Chi Minh City bus plans reported by VOH and VietNamNet.
Sources
- VnExpress International, 30 October 2026: Long Thanh to open on Dec 24 with up to 366 flights a week
- Tuoi Tre, 30 October 2026: ticket sales and passenger service charge
- Thanh Nien, 4 November 2026: flights by phase
- Viet Nam News, 28 July 2026: three-stage transfer
- VOH, 2 November 2026: bus route 72-1
- VietNamNet, 13 October 2026: 16 planned bus routes
- Resolution 389/NQ-CP (e-visa ports)
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