Southern Vietnam's gateway is at last switching over. Under construction in Dong Nai province, near Ho Chi Minh City,Long Thanh International Airport (Long Thanh, IATA: LTH)willbegin accepting commercial flights from June 2026. Located about 40 km from the city center, the new airport is set to handle most international flights here, greatly redrawing the arrival and departure routes of Vietnam's largest city.
The division of roles with the current gateway, Tan Son Nhat Airport, is also clear. It shifts to a two-airport system in which Long Thanh takes the lead for international flights and Tan Son Nhat centers on domestic flights.
Long Thanh International Airport to accept commercial flights from June 2026
Long Thanh International Airport is one of the south's largest new airports, built in Dong Nai province; its ICAO code is VVLT and IATA code is LTH. Having completed technical test flights at the end of 2025, it has entered the stage of starting commercial flight operations in June 2026. Sitting on high ground at about 60 m elevation, it has two parallel runways (05R/23L and 05L/23R) meeting international standards.
The division of roles with Tan Son Nhat — Long Thanh takes the lead for international flights
What's worth noting is the division with the existing Tan Son Nhat Airport. Under the authorities' plan, Long Thanh will handleabout 80% of international flights and about 10% of domestic flights, while Tan Son Nhat will handleabout 20% of international flights and about 90% of domestic flights. The two airports are operated as "a linked pair of international airports," with the state adjusting the allocation of flights according to timing and demand.
In other words, for travelers entering the Ho Chi Minh area from Japan on international flights, the arrival point is likely to shift to Long Thanh in stages. There will be moments where your itinerary is thrown off if you estimate access to the city and travel time by your usual sense.
Comparison of the old and new airports
| Item | Long Thanh International Airport (LTH) | Tan Son Nhat Airport (SGN) |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Dong Nai province (about 40 km from the city center) | Within Ho Chi Minh City |
| Share of international flights | About 80% | About 20% |
| Share of domestic flights | About 10% | About 90% |
| Start of commercial flights | June 2026 | In operation (Terminal 3 already running) |
| Runways | Two parallel | In operation |
Route changes travelers should note from now
The distance of about 40 km from the city center makes travel time harder to read than with Tan Son Nhat, which was adjacent to the city. If you choose a flight arriving at Long Thanh on an international route, it's safest to plan travel to your hotel or tour meeting point with plenty of margin. Those transferring to a provincial Vietnamese city should keep in mind that domestic flights remain centered on Tan Son Nhat.
For the time being it will be a transitional period with both airports in use. When booking tickets, confirming whether arrival and departure are at SGN (Tan Son Nhat) or LTH (Long Thanh) will help you avoid confusion locally.
Summary
The start of commercial flights at Long Thanh International Airport is a turning point that changes the very entrance to travel toward Ho Chi Minh City. As the lead role for international flights shifts to the new airport outside the city, planning your travel after arrival becomes more important. If you're visiting Ho Chi Minh City from now on, be sure to check which airport your flight arrives at and departs from.
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