The Vietnamese government is thinking of using two airports in the provinces of Dong Nai and Ninh Thuan for both military and civilian purposes.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has formed a team comprising several ministries and local authorities led by Deputy Prime Minister Le Van Thanh to look into the possibility of using the Bien Hoa Airport in the southern Dong Nai and the Thanh Son Airport in the central Ninh Thuan for both military and civilian purposes. A proposal on the issue is expected to be completed before September.

Both airports were constructed before 1975 and have been used for military purposes for years. Dong Nai and Ninh Thuan do not have a civilian airport. The Long Thanh International Airport being built in Dong Nai is slated to begin operations in 2025.

Proposals to use the Bien Hoa and Thanh Son airports for civilian purposes have been made in the past in order to support local socio-economic development, especially for Ninh Thuan, which has emerged as a popular tourist destination. The province can receive around five million visitors a year, it is estimated, presenting a great opportunity for the aviation industry.

Vietnam now has 22 civilian airports.

Source: VNE