VIETNAM TARGETS OVER 30 AIRPORTS, 25 RAILWAY LINES BY 2050

Operational Metro Line 1 in HCMC - PHOTO: LE VU

HCMC – Vietnam plans to expand its nationwide civil aviation network to more than 30 airports by 2050, with total capacity reaching 533 million passengers per year.

Minister of Construction Tran Hong Minh told the National Assembly on April 20, as the country accelerates decentralization and diversifies funding sources for transport infrastructure.

Currently, there are 22 airports nationwide with a combined capacity of 155 million passengers annually. To more than triple this capacity by 2050, the construction sector will focus on upgrading existing facilities while prioritizing private investment through public-private partnerships (PPP), the minister said.

For railways, the approved master plan envisions 25 lines with a total length of 6,658 kilometers. In addition to seven existing lines, 18 new routes spanning more than 4,148 kilometers will be developed to strengthen interregional connectivity and ease pressure on road transport.

In addition, Vietnam has so far put 3,345 kilometers of expressways into operation and is building another 1,252 kilometers, expected to be completed by 2027. Notably, fully developed expressways with four to six lanes now account for 37% of the total planned network.

Regarding administrative management, under the decentralization policy effective July 1, the Ministry of Construction has transferred the management of more than 17,500 kilometers of national highways to local authorities, retaining control of over 4,800 kilometers tied to BOT (Build-Operate-Transfer) projects and national defense and security.

As for urban rail, Vietnam currently operates 41 kilometers across three metro lines, two in Hanoi and one in HCMC. Under the plan, the network will be significantly expanded to 18 lines in Hanoi and 12 in HCMC, with a combined length exceeding 2,200 kilometers.

Meanwhile, maritime and inland waterway infrastructure has also grown, with total port capacity reaching around 955 million tons per year, up 1.3 times compared to 2020, helping secure the country’s export capacity and cargo transport needs in the next phase of development.

Source: The Saigon Times

Related News

MEMBER CORNER / PROMOTIONS

VIETNAM'S MANUFACTURING STORY HAS CHANGED IN 2026

Vietnam is no longer attracting investment solely because of its competitive costs. Today, global manufacturers are increasingly choosing Vietnam for its expanding industrial ecosystem, resilient supply chains and growing role in high-value sectors such as semiconductors, electronics and advanced manufacturing.

Jul 24, 2026

BANKING / FINANCE / INSURANCE / TAX

VIETNAM NEEDS OVER $200BN FROM STOCK MARKET IN NEXT 5 YEARS

Speaking at the event, Bui Hoang Hai, vice-chairman of the State Securities Commission of Vietnam, said total investment demand in the 2026-30 period is estimated at VND38,000 trillion ($1.4 trillion). The state budget can only provide approximately VND8,500 trillion ($323 billion), or 20 percent, leaving the remaining 80 percent to be sourced from private and international capital.

Jul 23, 2026

VIETNAM ECONOMY INVESTMENT

HUNG YEN BUILDS DIGITAL FOUNDATIONS TO DRIVE LONG-TERM GROWTH

From strengthening data infrastructure to developing AI platforms, Hung Yen province is enhancing governance capacity while laying the groundwork for the growth of its digital economy. Hung Yen, about 50-60km southeast of Hanoi, has maintained steady momentum in implementing its digital transformation agenda, creating a stronger foundation for the province to advance science, technology, and innovation.

Jul 23, 2026

VIETNAM ECONOMY INVESTMENT

CHINESE INVESTMENT WAVE OPENS NEW DOORS

As Chinese companies move beyond factory relocation to ecosystem-driven investment, Vietnam has a rare opportunity to evolve from a low-cost production base into a strategic node in regional value chains. When global companies first diversified supply chains, the focus was largely on relocating manufacturing capacity.

Jul 23, 2026

VIETNAM ECONOMY INVESTMENT

VIỆT NAM STEPS UP EXPORT TO ACHIEVE US$550-BILLION TARGET

Việt Nam is intensifying efforts to sustain export momentum in the second half of 2026 as the country works towards its target of US$550 billion in export revenue for the year, despite continuing uncertainties in global trade. Statistics show that exports reached $266.5 billion in the first six months, meaning the economy needs to generate around $245.5 billion more during the remainder of the year to meet the annual goal.

Jul 23, 2026

VIETNAM ECONOMY INVESTMENT

ASIA POWERS VIETNAM’S SHRIMP BOOM, LEAVING THE WEST BEHIND

In the first half of 2026, Vietnam's shrimp exports surpassed the US$2.3 billion mark, driven largely by booming demand from China and a lobster craze. But behind that growth figure lies a lopsided picture: Asia is carrying the load, while the U.S. and Europe have yet to break out. These days, a container of frozen shrimp leaving a Ho Chi Minh City port is more likely to cross the East Vietnam Sea to Shanghai than the Pacific to Los Angeles.

Jul 23, 2026