April 19, 2025, in Ho Chi Minh city - Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV) celebrated the official opening of Passenger Terminal T3 at Tan Son Nhat International Airport, with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and other high-ranking officials attending the ceremony. The inauguration comes as Vietnam prepares to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification on April 30.

The Prime Minister and delegates perform the ribbon-cutting ceremony to commence and inaugurate projects celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification

Inspecting the project before the inauguration ceremony, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh assessed that the terminal was ready for operation, offering a superior experience for passengers. The 10.99 trillion VND ($458 million) project was completed two months ahead of schedule after 20 months of intensive construction.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh praised Airports Corporation of Vietnam: "ACV is increasingly mature, increasingly strong, and has met the wishes of the people and the Fatherland by bringing Passenger Terminal T3 into operation 2 months early. The successful result of this project (Passenger Terminal T3) will positively impact the Long Thanh International Airport Project, with the highest determination to basically complete the Long Thanh International Airport Construction Project by the end of 2025. This will be a feat in exceeding the project schedule."

PM Pham Minh Chinh gives a speech at the ceremony

The "Passenger Terminal T3 Construction - Tan Son Nhat International Airport" project includes main components: the passenger terminal, a multi-story car park combined with non-aeronautical services, an elevated road system in front of the terminal, and an aircraft apron, with a total investment of 10.99 trillion VND.

The terminal comprises 1 basement level and 4 above-ground floors, with a total construction floor area of 112,500 m2. It has a linear design similar to the existing terminal, structured with 2 separate levels for departures and arrivals, featuring 90 traditional check-in counters, 20 automated bag drop counters, 42 check-in kiosks, 27 boarding gates (including 13 jet bridges and 14 bus gates), 6 departure baggage handling islands, 10 arrival baggage reclaim carousels, and 25 passenger security checking points. Notably, T3 terminal is designed with 8 security checking points and a separate area serving VIP, business class, and priority passengers.

Passenger Terminal T3 at Tan Son Nhat International Airport is one of the 80 projects designated to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification (30/4/1975 - 30/4/2025)

The multi-story car park component combined with non-aeronautical services is a complex consisting of 2 basement levels and 4 above-ground floors with a total construction floor area of 130,000 m2. It serves as a car park, a commercial center, hotel, and dining facilities for passengers. 

The elevated roadway system at the two terminal levels includes: Level 2 with 2-3 lanes, each 3.5 m wide; Level 3 with 2-5 lanes, each 3.5 m wide.

The aircraft apron includes expanding the apron in front of the terminal by 4,600 m2 and installing a lighting system for aircraft operations, capable of handling all Code C and Code E aircraft types. 

The new terminal incorporates cutting-edge aviation technologies centered around passenger convenience. The ACV Self-service system allows travelers to check in at kiosks, drop off luggage independently, and proceed to their aircraft automatically via electronic gates. For domestic flights, the system utilizes electronic chip-embedded Citizen Identity Cards and facial recognition technology to enhance security and reduce congestion.

At Terminal T3, passengers will benefit from optimized processing times and enhanced digital experiences through technological applications implemented on the telecommunications infrastructure, digital infrastructure, and services provided by the Vietnam Posts and Telecommunications Group (VNPT). This infrastructure is capable of meeting 100% of the terminal management system's operational needs, as well as passenger usage demands. VinaPhone 5G mobile coverage ensures stable and seamless connectivity throughout the terminal. An Indoor Broadcasting System (IBS) enhances and optimizes communication signal quality, even in specific areas like the basement and crowded zones. Free WiFi and WiFi marketing systems provide convenient internet access for passengers.

Terminal T3 has a capacity of 20 million passengers per year, handling 7,000 passengers per peak hour. This increases the total capacity of Tan Son Nhat International Airport to 50 million passengers per year, promising reduced congestion and greater convenience for passengers.

The PM performs the ceremony of affixing the plaque commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification to the project

The Passenger Terminal T3 project is a key initiative, playing a crucial role in nearly doubling the operational capacity of Tan Son Nhat International Airport. It contributes to improving transportation infrastructure and reducing congestion both within and outside the airport area. It is a point of pride that Passenger Terminal T3 is one of 50 key national projects selected as a "project celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification." This also serves as an important driving force for the development of the aviation industry in general, and the tourism, service, and economic sectors of Ho Chi Minh City in particular, during the "Era of Rising."

Groundbreaking ceremony for the construction project of Passenger Terminal T2 - Dong Hoi Airport

Site handover and groundbreaking ceremony for the Ca Mau Airport Upgrade and Expansion Project

Concurrent with the inauguration of Passenger Terminal T3 at Tan Son Nhat International Airport, ACV also commenced two other projects include the construction of Passenger Terminal T2 at Dong Hoi Airport and coordinated with Ca Mau province to organize the site handover and groundbreaking ceremony for the Ca Mau Airport Upgrade and Expansion Project.

News, photos:Administration Department