Long Thanh International Airport Welcomes Its First Commercial Flight in 2026

Vietnam’s Mega Airport Takes Flight

Long Thanh International Airport, Vietnam’s largest and most ambitious aviation project, has officially welcomed its first commercial flight in 2026. The $16 billion airport in Dong Nai Province is designed to handle 25 million passengers in its first phase, with an ultimate capacity of 100 million — set to handle 80% of international arrivals to the Ho Chi Minh City metropolitan area.

For dental tourists worldwide, this marks a before-and-after moment for accessing Vietnam’s dental tourism capital.

What Changes for Dental Tourists

More Direct International Routes

Tan Son Nhat Airport, despite its central location, has been capacity-constrained for years. Long Thanh changes the equation entirely:

• New long-haul routes from European, North American, and Middle Eastern cities
• Increased frequencies on existing Asian routes (Seoul, Tokyo, Singapore, Bangkok)
• Charter flight capacity for seasonal tourism markets like Russia, Eastern Europe, and India
• Lower fares as competition increases with expanded capacity

A Modern Arrival Experience

Long Thanh features state-of-the-art terminals designed for 21st-century travel:

Getting from Long Thanh to Your Dental Clinic

While Long Thanh is further from central HCMC than Tan Son Nhat, dedicated transport infrastructure is being built:

• Expressway: The Long Thanh–Dau Giay expressway connects to HCMC’s ring road system
• Metro connection: Metro Line 2 with Thu Thiem–Long Thanh railway extension is under construction
• Private transfers: Pre-booked airport transfers will take approximately 50–60 minutes to District 1
• Bus services: Express airport buses are planned to major city areas

Pro Tip for Dental Tourists

Book a hotel in the Thu Thiem area for the best of both worlds — close to District 1 dental clinics and well-positioned for Long Thanh Airport access via the upcoming rail corridor.

Phase 1 Capacity and Growth

Long Thanh’s Phase 1 includes:

• One runway (expandable to four)
• 25 million passenger capacity per year
• 1.2 million tons of cargo capacity
• Modern terminal with international retail and dining

As the airport scales up through subsequent phases, dental tourists can expect even more route options and competitive pricing.

Planning Your Dental Trip via Long Thanh

• Check which airport your flight uses: During the transition period, some flights may still use Tan Son Nhat
• Book transfers in advance: Pre-arranged airport pickup ensures smooth arrival
• Allow extra travel time: The journey to central HCMC is longer than from Tan Son Nhat
• Consider airport-area hotels: For early morning departures after your final dental appointment