HCM City to build new parking lot for Tân Sơn Nhất Airport. Photo courtesy of Tân Sơn Nhất airport

HCM CITY — HCM City plans to build a parking lot spanning 3,500 m2 near Tân Sơn Nhất airport to meet high demand for parking during the Tết holiday.

The new parking lot will be located next to the entry of the international terminal of the airport, and also next to the corner of Bạch Đằng-Trường Sơn-Hồng Hà streets in Tân Binh District.

The city's authorities have instructed the Department of Natural Resources and the Environment to look into procedures to carry out the plan. The transport department said it would invite relevant units to conduct surveys regarding the plan, and that it would propose that the city make the land lot a temporary parking place for taxis and ride-hailing vehicles to relieve the parking shortage during Tết.

Nguyễn Công Hoan, deputy director of Tân Sơn Nhất airport, said the construction of a parking lot is vital to relieve the traffic problem in the area. Peak periods of Tết at the airport should be from around January 1 to February 2 next year, with around 120,000-130,000 visitors coming to the airport every day.

"With another parking lot outside, taxis and ride-hailing vehicles would be arranged to stop at the parking lot before going to the terminals to pick up guests, reducing congestion," Hoan said.

The number of visitors to Tân Sơn Nhất International Airport this Tết is expected to be even higher than during pre-pandemic levels, with most traveling on domestic flights. — VNS