A HUGE new mega airport is set to open in one of the world’s cheapest holiday destinations.
Long Thanh International Airport in Vietnam is to finally open next year, after years of construction.
Vietnam’s Long Thanh International Airport is set to finally open[/caption]
Up to 100million passengers could eventually use the airport every year[/caption]
Often named one of the more affordable long-haul destinations by the Post Office, Vietnam is overlooked by Brits in favour of the nearby Thailand.
However, the new airport in Ho Chi Minh is set to attract more tourists, and will become the country’s largest airport.
Costing VND336 trillion (£9.5billion), the airport will have three terminals along with four runways.
The main concourse will have an 82m glass roof in the shape of a lotus flower.
It is expected to replace the current Tan Son Nhat International Airport, with international flights being moved over.
Tan Son Nhat International Airport could then handle domestic and short-haul flights only.
The new airport could eventually welcome as many as 100million passengers a year, with the first phase being around 25million.
This would make it one of the largest hubs in the world, taking on airports in Atlanta and Dubai.
A fourth terminal and the fourth runway also hope to be built by 2035.
The new airport would also reduce transfer times between airports which can take up to five hours.
The location is further out of the city, being around 25 miles from the centre of Ho Chi Minh City.
But also part of the airport plans is an expansion of the motorway that connects to the city, as well as a new metro line and high speed train.
Vietnam was named one of the cheapest places by the Post Office in 2023, naming Hoi An as the most affordable beach destination.
And last year, Vietnam was named the most affordable place according to the Expat Insider survey.
It hopes to open by 2026[/caption]
The Sun’s Chief Consumer Reporter James Flanders recently visited.
He wrote: “Beer enthusiasts will be delighted to discover that a bottle of the city’s famed Larue lager will cost you just £1.
“For an even cheaper option, head to any local bar, restaurant, or pub, where a glass of Bia Hoi – Vietnam’s beloved fresh beer – can be enjoyed for as little as 30p a glass.
“And don’t miss the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum — a grand memorial and the resting place for Vietnam’s beloved former leader, Ho Chi Minh, after whom the city is named, his body preserved inside a Soviet-style building. “
In the mean time, here is a mega airport opening in Europe.
Vietnam travel rules
Getting to Vietnam remains affordable, with Sun Online Travel finding return flights with Vietnam Airlines from £376 each way.
Hotels in Hoi An are extremely affordable too, with overnight stays at four-star hotels from £23 per person per night based on two people sharing a room.
Vietnam is seven hours ahead of the UK, with temperatures remaining above 30C throughout the year.
Brits don’t need a visa for holidays lasting 45 days or less but your passport will need to have at least six months left on arrival.
But be warned, Vietnam is also strict on damaged passports, so there must be no wear and tear.