Vietnam plans upgrade of Gia Binh airport to dual-use international hub

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh chaired a meeting of the cabinet's standing committee to review the investment adjustment, aimed at converting the military-use airport into an ICAO category 4E facility. The upgrade is part of preparations to support diplomatic activities during APEC 2027, which Vietnam will host.

Under the Ministry of Public Security’s proposal, the airport will handle both civil aviation and cargo transport, helping to ease congestion at Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi and support regional economic growth.

The project includes a 45.6-kilometre road connecting the airport to central Hanoi, with 14 kilometres within the capital and the rest in Bac Ninh. The four-lane road will have a 120-metre cross-section and an estimated cost of VND40.3 trillion ($1.6 billion). Authorities have proposed implementing the project under a public-private partnership (PPP) model with build-transfer (BT) contracts.

Prime Minister Chinh urged ministries and agencies to expedite the preparation of project documents and submit them for approval. He also asked for proposals on special policy mechanisms to ensure the project's timely completion.