Dong Nai seeks funds for roads to Long Thanh airport hinh anh 1A rendering of the proposed Long Thanh International Airport in the southern province of Dong Nai (Photo courtesy of Airports Corporation of Vietnam)

Dong Nai (VNA) - The southern province of Dong Nai has asked the Government to allocate more than 400 billion VND (17.23 million USD) to build two roads that would connect the province's National Road No. 51 up to Long Thanh International Airport, which is expected to start construction next year.

Speaking at a meeting with the National Assembly’s Economics Committee April 23, Tran Van Vinh, Vice Chairman of the Dong Nai provincial People’s Committee, said it is urgent to build the roads to provide access to the airport.

Bomb and mine clearance, which will cost 165 billion VND, also needs to be completed on land that will be handed over to investors in the airport project, he said.

More than 20 households will have to live in temporary quarters and then relocate to a resettlement area.

Dong Nai is accelerating construction progress of two resettlement areas, Loc An-Binh Son (nearly 300ha) and Binh Son III (81ha), which are expected to begin construction in September.

The province has approved a project of more than 300 billion VND for vocational training, job creation and resettlement for affected households in the province.

Deputy Minister of Transport Le Dinh Tho said Dong Nai province has conducted the ground clearance work in a transparent manner. The construction of the connecting roads to the airport should be done first, he said. 

In May, the Ministry of Transport will issue the final feasibility report for Long Thanh airport, which will include information about traffic systems around the airport, according to Tho.

The Long Thanh airport will have a transport system linking to Ho Chi Minh City and other regions.

Vu Hong Thanh, Chairman of the National Assembly’s Economics Committee, said that Dong Nai province should pay attention to the employment, housing and education needs of workers.

As Long Thanh airport has great significance to the country’s development, the province should work closely with the central agencies to accelerate progress, he added.

The NA’s Economics Committee also asked the province to look for other capital resources to avoid relying solely on the State budget.  

According to the provincial People’s Committee, Dong Nai collected nearly 12 trillion VND worth of revenue in the first quarter of the year, up 16 percent year-on-year. The province attracted foreign direct investment worth 500 million USD, up nearly 27 percent compared to the same period last year. 

Once fully operational, the Long Thanh airport will reduce the load on neighbouring Tan Son Nhat International Airport in HCM City.

It will be able to handle 100 million passengers and five million tonnes of freight each year.

Covering a total area of more than 5,580 hectares, the airport will be located in six communes in Long Thanh district in Dong Nai province. The airport’s total investment is 336.63 trillion VND, with construction divided into three phases. - VNA 
VNA