The Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV) has submitted a proposed operational plan for Tan Son Nhat and Long Thanh airports to the Ministry of Construction, following an evaluation of two options presented by the Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV).

According to the CAAV, selecting an operational plan for the two airports is a complex decision that requires thorough assessment and analysis based on various criteria, and must have the consensus of State management agencies, airlines, and the community.

The CAAV believes that the infrastructure connecting Long Thanh International Airport – Ho Chi Minh City – and other neighboring localities is a prerequisite for orienting and determining the operational division plan between the two airports.

Based on this, the CAAV has proposed principles and an operational plan in two phases.

In the initial phase, from the projected official operational start date of Long Thanh Airport in June 2026 until the end of the summer flying season (October 24, 2026), new international flights, increased frequency flights to Ho Chi Minh City, and long-haul international routes to Europe, America, and Oceania will be transferred to Long Thanh airport.

Also during this initial phase, Long Thanh airport will accommodate charter and non-scheduled flights. Meanwhile, Tan Son Nhat airport will continue to operate only existing international routes and will not open new ones.

Entering the Winter flying season of 2026 (October 25, 2026 – March 27, 2027), Long Thanh's scope will further expand to include international routes to Africa, the Middle East, South Asia, and Central Asia. New international flights or increased frequency flights to Ho Chi Minh City will also be required to transfer to Long Thanh. Tan Son Nhat will continue to maintain existing international operations and non-scheduled flights, but will still not be permitted to open new routes.

Once regional connecting infrastructure – including expressways, railways, and especially the Thu Thiem – Long Thanh metro line – is completed, Long Thanh will become an integrated international aviation hub, linked with an airport city, free trade zone, and logistics system.

At that point, all regular international flights will converge at Long Thanh, while Tan Son Nhat will serve as an inner-city airport, handling domestic and non-scheduled flights, and potentially acting as a backup in case Long Thanh becomes overloaded.