Plans are being considered for a complete renovation of the existing domestic terminal, Terminal 1 (T1), at Ho Chi Minh City's Tan Son Nhat International Airport. As discussions continue about dividing the roles of Tan Son Nhat and the upcoming Long Thanh Airport, the focus has shifted to addressing outdated facilities and reorganizing the terminal layout.
According to local media, including VnExpress, the Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV) is in the preliminary stages of reviewing improvement plans for T1 and Terminal 2 (T2), which includes the possibility of reconstructing T1 and building a connecting corridor between T1 and T3. However, ACV has stated that these plans are still in the early review phase, and decisions regarding the demolition of the existing terminal or the start of construction have not yet been finalized.
T1 has reached its limits in both facilities and layout due to long-term operation. Constructed between 1963 and 1964, T1 has undergone several expansions and renovations, currently covering an area of approximately 41,000 square meters. It has a capacity of about 15 million passengers annually and can handle an average of 40,000 passengers per day.
Before T3 became operational, T1 experienced significant congestion as passengers concentrated there. During peak seasons, such as holidays, daily passenger numbers approached 100,000, leading to bottlenecks at check-in counters, security screening areas, and drop-off zones. Consequently, ACV has determined that T1's facilities and layout cannot adequately meet long-term demand, prompting a consideration of complete reconstruction rather than incremental repairs.
Currently, T1 primarily serves domestic flights for VietJet Air, while Vietnam Airlines, Bamboo Airways, Pacific Airlines, Vasco, and Sun Group have shifted their operations to the newly constructed T3. T3 is located about 1 kilometer away from T1, raising concerns about the inconvenience of moving between terminals.
As a result, ACV is separately exploring the idea of a underground passage directly connecting T1 and T3. Details regarding the design, total investment, and timeline for this project have not yet been disclosed, and it remains undecided whether the passage will be for pedestrians or a shuttle service. However, if realized, passengers will be able to move between terminals without detouring through external roads.
Conversely, the proposal for an underground passage connecting the TCP parking lot and T1 has been excluded after review. ACV assessed that the area has heavy cross traffic and existing infrastructure, and T1's facilities are outdated, making execution unlikely. Currently, passengers traveling from the TCP bus stop to T1 must cross a road that coincides with vehicle traffic, raising safety and congestion concerns.
The renovation plan for T1 includes vertical development of the existing site and expansion of service areas. The initial concept proposed by the CPG-ADCC consulting consortium includes constructing a multi-level terminal to increase passenger service space and create a combined facility with parking. This plan is based on a capacity of 10 million passengers annually, with provisions for future expansion to 15 million.
Additionally, a new VIP terminal is also under consideration. This facility would cater to heads of state, business leaders, high-ranking passengers, and private jet users, with the capacity to flexibly accommodate one Code E aircraft or five Code C aircraft. However, this proposal is also in the research phase, and final project details have not been confirmed.
Discussions about the renovation of Tan Son Nhat Airport are taking place alongside preparations for the opening of Long Thanh Airport. ACV is developing a plan to operate both airports simultaneously, dividing their roles based on market demand, as Long Thanh Airport is expected to begin operations by the end of this year. An ACV representative emphasized that Tan Son Nhat Airport will not be reduced or closed after the opening of Long Thanh Airport and aims to maintain an annual capacity of 50 million passengers.
Vietnamese netizens have primarily pointed out the need for improved connectivity between airport terminals and facility upgrades. One user noted, "There is no direct connection between T1 and T3, forcing passengers to use external roads," adding that this is a significant drawback in terminal movement that needs immediate improvement.
Some suggested that rather than building a new T1, a connecting passage should be prioritized. Another user remarked, "T1 is still beautiful," suggesting that instead of incurring costs for a new construction, a underground or above-ground connection should be established. Conversely, there were also calls for early maintenance due to T1's aging. One user commented, "T1 is somewhat outdated," stating that it needs to be updated quickly to harmonize with T3.
Voices emphasizing the airport's role as a gateway to Ho Chi Minh City also emerged. One user stated, "It should be developed quickly and beautifully to match the image of Ho Chi Minh City," highlighting its importance as a key aviation hub for tourism and domestic and international cargo transport. There were also demands for modernization of facilities and expanded choices for users. One user argued, "We need to look to the future and modernize," insisting that passengers should be able to choose their desired destinations based on demand, and that competition among airports would benefit customer convenience. Additionally, there were calls for improvements to basic amenities, with one user stating, "Attention should also be paid to the maintenance and repair of airport restrooms."
Meanwhile, Tan Son Nhat Airport is expected to continue handling domestic and medium-haul international flights, while Long Thanh Airport is gradually positioned as a new international gateway and transfer hub for the southern region. According to CPG-ADCC consulting research, Tan Son Nhat Airport is projected to handle approximately 40 million passengers annually by 2030, with domestic flights accounting for 75% of that total. By 2050, the airport's capacity could increase to 50 million passengers, with domestic flights making up about 80%. Currently, Long Thanh Airport is planned to handle 44.5 million passengers by 2030 and 77.5 million by 2050. ACV has received operational permits from major domestic airlines for Long Thanh Airport and is in discussions with several international airlines regarding its opening.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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