Long Thanh Airport Project Faces Labor Shortage, Rain Season Challenges

A significant obstacle has emerged for the construction of the Long Thanh International Airport, a national key project in Vietnam, in its pursuit of commercial operation by the end of 2026. The Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV) announced that the site is currently facing a shortage of approximately 2,000 workers. According to ACV, the executed production value for Phase 1 of the project has reached about 77.85% of the total signed contract value. Specifically, Package 5.10, considered the "heart" of Phase 1, which involves the construction and installation of equipment for the passenger terminal building, has seen approximately 67.08% of its contract value completed. The installation of terminal equipment alone is at about 62.1%. To meet the deadline, ACV is strongly urging contractors to increase the direct workforce from the current average of 7,170 to around 9,000, supplemented by indirect personnel, to accelerate interior work and documentation. However, in addition to the labor shortage, the project is now entering the rainy season, posing significant challenges to construction progress and quality. Last year (2025), the rainy season caused delays of 2 to 4 months, particularly affecting outdoor construction. ACV has instructed contractors to implement scientific scheduling, establish effective drainage systems, closely monitor weather conditions, and adopt flexible construction plans, along with contingency measures. Meanwhile, preparations for Phase 2 of the Long Thanh Airport are also underway. ACV is focused on developing detailed planning for the entire 5,000-hectare area and preparing the feasibility study report for Phase 2.