The short answer: what is scheduled to change from 1 December 2026
As of October 2026, Long Thanh is not open to commercial flights. A technical opening ceremony took place on 19 December 2025, trial flights are scheduled for autumn 2026, and the first commercial flights are targeted for 1 December 2026. That target has already moved once and may move again.
When the airport does open, the change will not be instant. Both airports will operate side by side and flights will move in phases. Long-haul international carriers are expected to shift first. Domestic routes and short regional flights, including Cambodia, Vientiane and Bangkok, are expected to remain at Tan Son Nhat for now.
The one thing to check before booking anything for late 2026 or 2027: the airport code on your itinerary. If it reads SGN, you fly to Tan Son Nhat. If it reads LTH, you fly to Long Thanh. Confirm with your airline, because schedules are not final until published.
Treat every date in this article as a target, not a guarantee. Vietnamese infrastructure timelines slip, and this one already has.
Long Thanh airport in 2026: status, capacity and what is still being built
The confirmed timeline as of October 2026 runs like this. Technical inauguration: 19 December 2025. Trial flights: autumn 2026. First commercial flights: announced for 1 December 2026.
Phase 1 is designed for 25 million passengers a year, with one operational runway and a second nearing completion. That is a fraction of the eventual design figure of 100 million passengers, which comes after 2035.
Technical opening vs commercial opening: why the distinction matters
A technical opening means the building works, systems are tested and ceremonies are held. It does not mean you can buy a ticket and fly. Commercial opening means airlines sell seats and passengers pass through immigration. The two events are a year apart here, and confusing them is the most common mistake in coverage of this airport.
Phase 1, Phase 2 and the 100 million passenger figure explained
Phase 1: 25 million passengers. Later phases push toward 100 million. Headlines that call Long Thanh "the biggest airport in the world" are describing the final design, not what opens in 2026. For your trip, only Phase 1 matters.
What is confirmed and what is still a projection
| Item | Status as of October 2026 |
|---|---|
| Technical opening ceremony | Confirmed (19 December 2025) |
| Trial flights | Scheduled (autumn 2026) |
| First commercial flights | Target (1 December 2026), may slip |
| Phase 1 capacity (25 million) | Confirmed design figure |
| Full capacity (100 million) | Projection, after 2035 |
| Airline schedules and routes | Not published |
| Transfer services and fares | Not published |
| Rail or metro link | Not before the 2030s |
Which flights go to Long Thanh and which stay at Tan Son Nhat
This is the part that affects your booking. The transfer of international traffic is planned in three phases, with the share of traffic moving at each stage. Domestic flights stay at Tan Son Nhat for now, and so do short regional routes under 1,000 km.
The three-phase transfer of international flights
| Phase | Timing | Traffic moved | What stays at Tan Son Nhat |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phase 1 | From opening (target 1 Dec 2026) | Long-haul international | Domestic, short regional |
| Phase 2 | Later, unconfirmed | More international carriers | Some regional |
| Phase 3 | Later, unconfirmed | Remaining international | Domestic only |
Exact dates for phases 2 and 3 have not been announced. Do not book around them.
Domestic flights: staying at Tan Son Nhat for now
If you are flying Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang to Ho Chi Minh City, or any other domestic route, you land at Tan Son Nhat. That is expected to remain true through the opening period. See the domestic flights comparison for how the main carriers operate these routes.
Short regional routes under 1,000 km
Flights from Cambodia, Vientiane and Bangkok are expected to stay at Tan Son Nhat because the distance is short and the traffic is regional. If you are arriving from Phnom Penh or Siem Reap, plan for SGN unless your airline says otherwise.
Codeshares and connections: the risk of a split ticket
The real danger is a booking that arrives at one airport and departs from the other. A codeshare can put you on a long-haul flight into Long Thanh and a domestic connection out of Tan Son Nhat, with 40 km and unpredictable traffic between them. Check every leg separately.
How to read your ticket: airport codes, connections and the LTH question
Airport codes are the fastest way to know where you are going. Tan Son Nhat is SGN. Long Thanh has been assigned LTH, but confirm it on your actual booking rather than trusting a news article.
Checking the airport code before you pay
Open the itinerary and look at each segment. If any segment shows LTH, you are flying to Long Thanh. If it shows SGN, you are flying to Tan Son Nhat. If the code is missing or unclear, contact the airline before paying.
Self-transfer connections between SGN and LTH
A self-transfer means you book two separate tickets and move between airports yourself. Between Tan Son Nhat and Long Thanh, that means a road transfer of roughly 40 km with no guaranteed timing. Build in a large buffer, or avoid the combination entirely.
What to ask the airline if the airport is unclear
Ask three questions: which airport does this flight arrive at, which airport does it depart from, and has the airline confirmed its move to Long Thanh. Get the answer in writing if you can.
How far is Long Thanh from District 1, and how long does it take
Long Thanh sits in Dong Nai province, roughly 40 km east of Ho Chi Minh City. Road access runs via the Ho Chi Minh City–Long Thanh–Dau Giay expressway and National Highway 51.
Distance and driving time in normal and peak conditions
Expect the drive to vary widely with traffic. As of October 2026, no official transfer time has been published, and the honest answer is that it depends on the hour and the day. Peak conditions around the city can add substantial time.
The expressway and the interchange delay
Road infrastructure, including a key interchange, has faced delays. This matters because the expressway is the main artery. If the interchange is not finished when flights start, transfers will be slower than planned.
Why rail is not yet an option
A rail link is planned but not expected before the 2030s. For now, every transfer is by road. That is the single most important planning fact about this airport.
Transfer options from Long Thanh to Ho Chi Minh City
As of October 2026, official transfer services and fares had not been published. The options below are the modes expected to operate, not confirmed prices.
| Mode | Approx. duration | Approx. cost | Best for | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Taxi | Varies with traffic | Not published | Direct trips, luggage | Expected at opening |
| Ride-hailing | Varies with traffic | Not published | Flexible pickup | Expected at opening |
| Shuttle bus | Not published | Not published | Budget travelers | Not confirmed |
| Private transfer | Varies with traffic | Not published | Families, groups | Expected via hotels |
| Metro or rail | Not applicable | Not applicable | None | Not before 2030s |
Taxi and ride-hailing: cost and pickup points
Taxis and ride-hailing apps such as Grab are the default way to move around Ho Chi Minh City. For general pricing patterns on existing airport runs, see the Tan Son Nhat to District 1 guide. Long Thanh fares will be higher because of the distance, but no official figure exists yet.
Shuttle buses and airport coaches
Shuttle services are the obvious solution for a distant airport, but as of October 2026 none have been confirmed with routes or fares. Check again closer to opening.
Renting a car or booking a private transfer
A private transfer booked through a hotel is the most predictable option for a first arrival. For broader context on costs and pitfalls, see hiring a car with driver in Vietnam.
What is not available yet
No metro. No rail. No confirmed shuttle pricing. No published taxi tariff for the route. Anyone quoting a precise figure is guessing.
Getting to Long Thanh from District 1, District 7 and the airport area
For departures, the direction reverses and the stakes rise. Missing a flight because of a 40 km road transfer is a real risk.
Recommended buffer time before a Long Thanh departure
Leave significantly earlier than you would for Tan Son Nhat. Given the distance and traffic variability, a generous buffer is the only sensible approach until real transfer times are known.
Tan Son Nhat to Long Thanh: the worst-case connection
If you land at Tan Son Nhat and depart from Long Thanh the same day, you are crossing the city and leaving it. Possible, but risky. Allow a large buffer and have a backup plan.
Hotels near Long Thanh for early flights
For very early departures, staying near the airport the night before removes the traffic variable entirely. Options in the area are limited as of October 2026, so book early if you need one.
What to check before booking a flight to Ho Chi Minh City
| Check | Why it matters | Where to verify |
|---|---|---|
| Airport code (SGN or LTH) | Determines which airport you use | Your booking itinerary |
| Arrival vs departure airport | Split bookings cause missed flights | Each segment separately |
| Transfer time between airports | 40 km of unpredictable traffic | Airline or transfer provider |
| Airline's confirmed move | Schedules are not final | Airline directly |
| Date of travel vs opening date | Pre-opening flights use SGN | Airline announcement |
Costs, currency and practical arrival tips
Arrival logistics at a brand-new terminal may have teething problems. Plan for the basics.
Money, SIM cards and apps on arrival
Bring some cash in VND, set up a ride-hailing app before you land, and pick up a SIM card. For exchange rates and where to change money, see exchanging money in Vietnam. For connectivity, see WiFi and internet in Vietnam.
The digital pre-arrival card
The digital Pre-Arrival Information Card now extends beyond Tan Son Nhat. Complete it online in advance. For the full arrival process, see airport arrival in Vietnam.
First-week teething problems to expect
New terminals mean new signage, new staff and new systems. Expect slower immigration, unclear taxi queues and staff still learning the building. Arrive patient.
Long Thanh versus Tan Son Nhat: which airport should you choose
| Airport | Code | Best for | Distance to District 1 | Main flight types |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tan Son Nhat | SGN | Domestic, short regional, city-center stays | Close | Domestic, regional |
| Long Thanh | LTH | Long-haul international | About 40 km east | Long-haul international |
In practice, travelers rarely choose. The airline and the route decide. Your job is to know which one your booking uses.
The bigger picture: why Vietnam built a second airport for Ho Chi Minh City
Tan Son Nhat handled 40.7 million passengers in 2023 against a design capacity of around 30 million. It cannot expand because the city grew around it. Long Thanh exists to absorb the overflow, particularly long-haul international traffic that Tan Son Nhat cannot handle comfortably.
What is still unknown: dates, airlines and routes to watch
Several things remain open as of October 2026. Final airline schedules are not published. Exact transfer pricing is not published. The rail timeline is not confirmed. The exact dates of phases 2 and 3 are not announced. Verify everything with your airline before you book, and check again a week before you fly.
FAQ
Q: Is Long Thanh airport opening in 2026? Commercial operations are targeted for 1 December 2026, after a technical inauguration on 19 December 2025. The date has shifted before and may shift again. Confirm with your airline.
Q: What airlines will use Long Thanh airport? Vietnam Airlines and Vietjet are expected to be among the first to operate from Long Thanh, based on announcements analysed as of October 2026. Full schedules are not published. Verify with the airline.
Q: Is Long Thanh airport the biggest in the world? Not yet. Phase 1 handles 25 million passengers. The 100 million figure is the eventual design target, after 2035.
Q: How will passengers get to Long Thanh airport? By road via the expressway and National Highway 51, using taxi, ride-hailing, shuttle or private transfer. Rail is planned but not expected before the 2030s.
Q: Will my flight to Ho Chi Minh City land at Long Thanh or Tan Son Nhat? It depends on the route and phase. Long-haul international flights move first. Domestic and short regional routes stay at Tan Son Nhat. Check the airport code on your booking.
Q: How far is Long Thanh airport from District 1? Roughly 40 km east, in Dong Nai province. Travel time varies with traffic and road infrastructure delays.
Q: Can I connect between Tan Son Nhat and Long Thanh on the same day? Possible but risky. Allow a large buffer and expect traffic uncertainty. A missed connection is a real possibility.
Q: Do I need a visa or pre-arrival card for Long Thanh? Visa rules are unchanged by the airport move. The digital Pre-Arrival Information Card applies and can be completed online in advance.