Taking Vietnam Tourism to the next level: Today was the day

Van Don International Airport and Halong International Cruise Port opened In Vietnam on the same day today.

It took two years of construction for Van Don International Airport to open in Quang Ninh province. Vân Đồn International Airport, is an airport in Vân Đồn District, Quảng Ninh Province, Vietnam, home to UNESCO World Heritage Ha Long Bay. It is located about 50 km away from Hạ Long and 20 km from Cẩm Phả. The operation started today, December 30, 2018. The airport is located  220 kilometers from the Vietnamese capital city Hanoi.

This is the first ever international airport in Vietnam to be developed by a private company in Vietnam. This company is Sun Group.

With a total investment of US$310 million, the airport was constructed with the assistance of NACO (Netherlands Airport Consultants).

“It is the most modern airport in Vietnam. It will have positive influences on the passengers’ experience here in the airport,” said Romy Berntsen, a project manager and architect from NACO.

Besides being equipped with the latest airport technologies in the main terminal, and a state-of-the-art runway, the new airport features a beautiful design inspired by the heavenly Halong Bay, which is just 50km away.

As a new gateway for both domestic and international travelers coming to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Halong Bay, the airport will receive an estimated 2 to 2.5 million passengers annually for the next two years and five million per year by 2030.

On the same day, Sun Group officially unveiled two more major new infrastructures projects in Quang Ninh, namely, the new Halong-Van Don Highway and Halong International Cruise Port. The new four-lane, 60km-long highway will reduce travel time from Van Don Airport to Halong city to just under 50 minutes.

With a total investment of US$43 million, Halong International Cruise Port is the first ever cruise port dedicated exclusively to receiving international cruise ships.

Located in Bai Chay Ward, Halong City, the port can accommodate two cruise ships (up to 225,000 GRT each) at the same time and a total of 8,460 passengers, including crew.

The port terminal, designed by Bill Bensley, one of the world’s most renowned and innovative architects, will be a new landmark for the city and Quang Ninh Province.

The opening of all three major infrastructure projects will play an immense role in tapping the province’s full tourism potential and create new opportunities for international trade and economic cooperation.