Priority bus lanes proposed on Ho Chi Minh City - Long Thanh Airport routes

The Airports Corporation of Vietnam has proposed earmarking priority bus lanes on major roads linking Ho Chi Minh City with Long Thanh International Airport to reduce congestion and ensure passengers can reach in time.

The ACV, the airport operator, announced the proposal on Tuesday as it updated preparations for the airport's opening and transport connections.

Long Thanh is expected to begin commercial operations in December this year.

The passenger terminal at Long Thanh International Airport is under construction, October 2026. Photo by VnExpress/Phuoc Tuan

According to the ACV, a joint-stock company with 95.4% state ownership, most passengers traveling to and from Long Thanh Airport during its initial phase are expected to come from HCMC. As roads are the sole link between the two areas now, traffic congestion could delay passengers.

To address this, the ACV has called for designating priority lanes for airport buses and shuttle services on major roads and key intersections.

The major roads currently include the HCMC-Long Thanh-Dau Giay Expressway that links HCMC and Dong Nai Province, the Bien Hoa-Vung Tau Expressway, the Ben Luc-Long Thanh Expressway, and National Highways 1 and 51.

Among them, the Bien Hoa-Vung Tau Expressway, which connects the Dong Nai industrial region with Ba Ria-Vung Tau is still under construction though part of it has been open to traffic. Authorities are accelerating the remaining work to bring the expressway into full operation. The previously reported September 2026 target was not met.

The Ben Luc-Long Thanh Expressway opened along its entire length on Oct. 1 to link the western and eastern sides of the Ho Chi Minh City region.

The Long Thanh–Dau Giay Expressway, a key link between Ho Chi Minh City and Long Thanh International Airport. Photo by VnExpress/Quynh Tran

The two main routes, the HCMC-Long Thanh-Dau Giay Expressway and National Highways 1 and 51, frequently experience congestion.

HCMC and Dong Nai are also pursuing two metro or urban-rail links to Long Thanh, alongside a proposed express service connecting Long Thanh with Tan Son Nhat Airport in HCMC. The two rail projects are intended to connect the new airport with downtown HCMC and the wider regional transport network, with a target of completing key links by 2030.

The ACV said it is studying traffic plans for these routes, focusing on expanding high-capacity public transport, connecting different modes of transport, and managing traffic before vehicles reach congested areas.

It is also considering specific measures to regulate traffic on roads leading directly to the airport.

One key proposal is to operate direct bus services between Tan Son Nhat Airport and Long Thanh Airport using existing expressways for passengers taking connecting flights and enabling the gradual switch to the new airport.

HCMC authorities and relevant agencies have studies 13 direct bus routes connecting the city with Long Thanh Airport, with plans to operate them as premium airport bus services.

On some of them, the buses will stop only at major transit hubs, limiting roadside pickups and drop-offs to reduce the travel time. Implementation will be phased in line with demand and the airport's operating conditions.

Long Thanh Airport will have an annual capacity of 25 million passengers and 1.2 million tons of cargo to start with.

According to the ACV, it is expected to handle 366 flights per week during its initial phase, including 44 international services.

Traffic networks around Long Thanh International Airport. Graphics by Khanh Hoang