A rendering of the T3 Terminal of Tân Sơn Nhất Airport in HCM City. — Photo courtesy of the Airports Corporation of Vietnam

HCM CITY — The construction of the new international passenger terminal (Terminal 3 or T3) at HCM City’s Tân Sơn Nhất International Airport is nearing completion, with efforts being intensified to meet the April 30 deadline.

The project is 83 per cent complete and is expected to finish two months early, aligning with the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification, according to the Airports Corporation of Vietnam.

The T3 terminal is designed to accommodate 20 million passengers annually, aiming to alleviate congestion at the overburdened T1 terminal and enhance passenger services.

Lê Khắc Hồng, head of the project management board, said in order to inaugurate the terminal on April 30, the project must be completed by March 30.

“The board is actively working to address any obstacles and mobilise all necessary resources to complete the installation of equipment and ensure the terminal’s safe operation,” he said.

The construction of the new terminal, which has an investment of nearly VNĐ11 trillion (US$431.8 million), commenced in December 2022.

The T3 terminal encompasses a total floor area of 112,500 square metres and is designed with a basement and four floors.

It will feature 90 check-in counters, 20 automated baggage drop stations, 42 check-in kiosks, 27 boarding gates, 16 baggage storage systems, and 25 security checkpoints.

The terminal will include eight exclusive security gates and a lounge designated for VIP, business-class, and priority passengers.

Tân Sơn Nhất airport currently operates both a domestic passenger terminal and an international passenger terminal.

The domestic terminal, designed for 15 million passengers annually, currently accommodates over 26 million passengers, which is 1.7 times its intended capacity.

The largest airport in southern Việt Nam has been facing heavy congestion over the years.

In response, Long Thành International Airport is being constructed in Đồng Nai Province, some 30km from HCM City, with work starting in early 2021, with an aim to ease the congestion at Tân Sơn Nhất airport.

Once Long Thành Airport is scheduled to open in September 2026, Tân Sơn Nhất will serve only domestic flights.

Recently, Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính urged the expedited completion of Long Thành International Airport by the end of 2025.

The Long Thành airport spans 5,000 hectares in Đồng Nai Province and has a total investment of VNĐ336.6 trillion ($13.4 billion).

In its initial phase, the airport will feature one runway, a passenger terminal, and supporting facilities, with a capacity to serve 25 million passengers annually.

Subsequent phases will expand the airport’s capacity to 50 million and ultimately to 100 million passengers per year. — VNS