Approval granted for expansion of Ho Chi Minh City — Long Thanh Expressway, paving the way to Long Thanh Airport

The expansion project aims to complete the expressway according to the approved plan, meeting increasing transport demands, reducing travel time and costs, and improving connectivity between Long Thanh International Airport and Ho Chi Minh City.

HCMC — Long Thanh Expressway Expansion to Be Completed by December 2026

According to the approved decision, the expansion will mostly follow the existing route, widening on both sides. The section crossing Long Thanh Bridge will be expanded on the right side (downstream direction).

The project has a total investment of 14.945 trillion VND, managed and implemented by the Vietnam Expressway Corporation (VEC).

In terms of scale, the 4.8 km section from Beltway 2 to Beltway 3 will be expanded from 4 to 8 lanes.

The 14.7 km section from Beltway 3 to the intersection with Bien Hoa — Vung Tau Expressway will be widened from 4 to 10 lanes.

For Long Thanh Bridge, a new 5-lane structure will be built alongside the existing bridge, completing the HCMC-to-Long Thanh direction.

Construction began on August 19 as an urgent project, with completion expected by December 2026. The Long Thanh Bridge main span will be connected by December 2026, with remaining components finished by March 2027.

Other Urgent Projects Need Similar Procedures as HCMC — Long Thanh Expressway

Long Thanh Airport is not only a national transportation hub but also an international trade connection point.

Alongside building an international-standard airport, rapidly developing a multimodal transport network linking the airport to urban centers, service hubs, and industrial zones in the Southern economic region is critical.

As planned, Long Thanh Airport sits at the intersection of national rail and road networks.

For railways, the North-South high-speed rail is set to start in December 2026, while the Long Thanh — Thu Thiem line is undergoing pre-feasibility studies.

Dong Nai Province is accelerating procedures for extending HCMC Metro Line 1 to Long Thanh Airport, with an estimated budget of 65 trillion VND.

Future metro systems will enhance connectivity as HCMC and Dong Nai adjust plans under new models and visions.

Specifically, Long Thanh and Tan Son Nhat airports will be linked via the Thu Thiem — Long Thanh railway and HCMC metro lines.

Other potential routes include Metro Line 3, planned to connect Ba Ria — Vung Tau to Long Thanh Airport.

For roads, key projects underway include: HCMC — Long Thanh Expressway (started August 19), Bien Hoa — Vung Tau Expressway, Ben Luc — Long Thanh Expressway, and HCMC Beltway 3 (nearing completion). The Dong Nai section is being studied for elevated construction.

HCMC Beltway 4, the outermost ring road of the Southeast region, has received National Assembly approval, adding a new connection to Long Thanh Airport.

Major bridges like Phu My 2, Cat Lai, and Dong Nai 2 are also expected to improve connectivity.

Transport experts note that the core infrastructure framework is largely in progress, with accelerated procedures and construction needed to meet urgent demands.

The HCMC — Long Thanh Expressway’s emergency project mechanism, starting August 19, sets a promising precedent for other infrastructure projects.

Long Thanh Airport Connectivity Series Draws Reader Interest

Recent articles on Long Thanh Airport connectivity have attracted significant public attention.

Many suggestions propose prioritizing critical projects under emergency mechanisms to ensure timely connections.

While rail and metro links remain in planning stages, ongoing expressway and beltway projects must meet deadlines to serve the airport.