The western gateway area of the under-construction Long Thành International Airport in Đồng Nai Province, where authorities plan a new 6,300-ha urban area. — VNA/VNS Photo

HCM CITY — Authorities in the southern province of Đồng Nai have approved plans for a new urban area spanning more than 6,300 hectares at the western gateway of the under-construction Long Thành International Airport, in a move aimed at accelerating the development of an airport-linked economic zone.

The Đồng Nai People’s Committee has on Thursday approved a 1/2000-scale zoning plan for the proposed urban area covering 6,318 hectares in Phước Thái and Long Phước communes and part of Long Thành Ward.

According to the provincial government, the project aims to optimise land use and leverage local advantages to develop key economic sectors while ensuring national defence, security and sustainable development.

The planned urban zone currently has a population of around 61,000 people, but authorities forecast the figure will rise to between 400,000 and 450,000 by 2045.

Officials said the development would serve as a modern gateway urban area connected to Long Thành airport and major transport infrastructure, including ring roads, expressways and the planned Thủ Thiêm-Long Thành railway line.

The province said the project also aims to concretise the broader vision for the Long Thành airport urban region and support future investment and construction management.

Authorities expect the zoning plan preparation process to take about nine months from the selection of a planning consultancy to submission for appraisal.

Long Thành International Airport, located on a 5,000-hectare site in Long Thành Ward, is one of Việt Nam’s largest infrastructure projects, with estimated investment of around US$16 billion.

The airport’s first phase is scheduled for completion by the end of 2026.

Authorities expect the project to spur the development of high-value services around the airport, including aviation logistics, distribution centres, free-trade commerce, financial and banking services, hotels, conference facilities and smart urban areas.

Việt Nam is accelerating major infrastructure projects as it seeks to sustain economic growth and position itself as a regional manufacturing and logistics hub amid rising foreign investment. — VNS