Deputy Prime Minister: Avoid Scattering Airports Across Every Province

Thanh Niên reports on a crucial meeting chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Pham Gia Tuc regarding the strategic planning of airports across Vietnam. The directive underscores the importance of a long-term vision, extending to 2050 and beyond, to ensure that airport development is synchronized with national economic and social progress, avoiding the pitfalls of piecemeal adjustments.

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The planning of the airport system must be strategic, synchronous, and comprehensive, with a long-term vision to 2050, even 100 years, avoiding frequent adjustments.

The Ministry of Construction has proposed the inclusion of new airports, such as Mang Den and Van Phong, aimed at boosting local tourism and economic development, while also ensuring national defense and security. Additionally, upgrades to existing facilities, like Quang Tri Airport, are being considered to accommodate larger aircraft and support the growth of air cargo and passenger services. These proposals aim to enhance connectivity and cater to future demands, with specific capacity targets set for 2030.

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Especially, the planning of the airport system needs a far-sighted vision, but the implementation must clearly define priorities, place it within the overall general planning, linked to socio-economic development, and have an appropriate investment roadmap in terms of scale and airport class.

However, the Deputy Prime Minister cautioned against a scattered approach, stressing that each locality should not necessarily have its own airport if it leads to inefficient resource allocation and impacts the viability of existing infrastructure. The emphasis is on careful consideration of implementation timelines, especially for smaller airports, and ensuring that any new development is integrated into the broader transportation network, including road, rail, and maritime links. From a Vietnamese perspective, this focus on strategic, integrated planning reflects a national ambition to develop robust infrastructure that supports economic growth and national security, while also being mindful of resource constraints and the need for efficient investment. The directive aims to prevent wasteful spending and ensure that airport development serves a clear, long-term purpose within the nation's overall development strategy.

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We must be extremely careful to ensure that resources are not wasted; link it with the development of other modes of transport such as rail, road, maritime, and inland waterways...