HCMC – The National Assembly has approved an investment policy for the Gia Binh International Airport project in Bac Ninh Province, a mega aviation infrastructure development with total capital exceeding VND196 trillion.
On December 11, lawmakers passed a resolution endorsing the project, which will become one of the largest airport infrastructure developments ever undertaken in the country, according to the National Assembly portal.
Under the plan, Gia Binh will be developed as a green, smart and internationally compliant airport, serving as a new aviation gateway for the northern region. It will span areas across Gia Binh, Luong Tai, Nhan Thang and Lam Thao communes, and will be built to ICAO Code 4F standards. The project aims to deliver five-star service quality and operate as a sustainable international gateway for northern Vietnam.
By 2030, the airport is slated to handle around 30 million passengers and 1.6 million tons of cargo a year. Its capacity is expected to rise to 50 million passengers and 2.5 million tons of cargo by 2050.
The project aims to achieve Skytrax five-star service standards and rank among the world’s top 10 five-star airports, while also delivering one of the best passenger experiences evaluated by Airports Council International. Gia Binh will also serve major diplomatic events, including the APEC Economic Leaders’ Week in 2027.
Investors will have to contribute at least 15% of total investment capital. The project will cover nearly 1,885 hectares of land, including more than 922 hectares of two-crop rice fields, all to be acquired in a single phase as planned.
The project will be developed in two phases. Phase 1 (2025-2030) includes sub-phase 1.1 (2025-2027) prioritizing facilities needed for APEC 2027, followed by sub-phase 1.2 (2026-2030) to complete infrastructure for the airport’s 30-million-passenger capacity. Phase 2 (2031-2050) will see further expansion.
The resolution also authorizes the Bac Ninh government to relocate historical and cultural relics if necessary during site clearance. Any relocation must preserve the relics’ values, ensure transparency and include community consultation.
Earlier the same day, the National Assembly approved the Vinh–Thanh Thuy expressway project, a key route linking Nghe An Province with Laos. The expressway will start from the North–South Expressway (eastern section) and end at the Thanh Thuy border-gate economic zone. It will feature four lanes and a design speed of 80-100 km/h.
The Vietnam section of the Hanoi–Vientiane expressway spans around 370 km, of which 310 km overlaps with the North–South Expressway and is set for completion in 2025. The remaining 60 km between Vinh and Thanh Thuy has yet to be developed, and early implementation is deemed crucial for completing the cross-border corridor.
The new expressway requires nearly VND23.94 trillion from the central budget, using surplus revenue from 2024 and capital for the 2026-2030 period. Construction is expected to begin in 2026 and be completed by 2029.
