The Long Thanh International Airport is expected contribute 3-5% of the GRDP of southern Dong Nai province after it is fully operational, according to Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Vo Tan Duc.

He made the forecast at a recent conference held to discuss the opportunities and challenges for Dong Nai upon the commencement of the airport.

The airport is envisioned to become one of major international aviation transport hubs, opening a new space for the development of Dong Nai, he said.

In order to tap the potential of Long Thanh airport, the province has developed planning for an airport zone and logistics system, and invested in building transport system to connect the airport to surrounding areas with the aim of boosting development of Dong Nai and the southern key economic region as a whole.

The Long Thanh International Airport has total investment of an estimated VND336.63 trillion ($13.74 billion), with construction divided into three phases.

The first phase has total investment of nearly VND110 trillion ($4.48 billion), with construction of a passenger terminal and a runway getting underway last August.

The terminal will be able to cater to 25 million passengers and handle 1.2 million tons of cargo a year.

The airport (first phase) is expected to be put into official operation in early June 2026.