On the afternoon of October 19, 2026, Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV) attended a working session with the People’s Committee of Quang Tri Province and T&T Group to advance cooperation in air transport development, trade and tourism promotion, and digital transformation. During the meeting, the three parties signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the 2026–2030 period. ACV and T&T Group also signed an airport operations contract for Quang Tri Airport, marking important progress in strengthening air connectivity and unlocking the province’s development potential.

Attending the meeting on behalf of ACV were Mr. Nguyen Cao Cuong, Chairman of the Board of Directors; Mr. Nguyen Duc Hung, Acting General Director; Ms. Nguyen Thi Hong Phuong, Member of the Board of Directors; and Mr. Tran Anh Vu, Deputy General Director, together with leaders of relevant departments and professional units, representatives of Dong Hoi Airport, and ACV-affiliated aviation service companies.

 Quang Tri Province was represented by Mr. Bui Hoang Phuong, Chairman of the Provincial People’s Committee; Mr. Phan Phong Phu, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People’s Committee; and representatives of relevant provincial departments and agencies. Mr. Dao Xuan Hoach, Deputy Director General of the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV), also attended the meeting. Representing the business sector were Mr. Do Quang Hien, Executive Chairman of T&T Group, and representatives of Quang Tri Airport Company Limited.

Mr. Bui Hoang Phuong, Chairman of the Quang Tri Provincial People’s Committee, delivers the opening remarks at the meeting.

Mr. Nguyen Cao Cuong, Chairman of ACV’s Board of Directors, delivers remarks at the working session.

Mr. Do Quang Hien, Chairman of T&T Group, delivers remarks at the working session.

Developing Air Routes and Expanding Market Connectivity

Under the MoU, ACV, the People’s Committee of Quang Tri Province, and T&T Group agreed to strengthen coordination in researching and promoting domestic and international air routes to and from Dong Hoi Airport and Quang Tri Airport, considering market demand, infrastructure conditions, and operational capacity. The agreement establishes a cooperation framework for 2026–2030, with the aim of maximizing the effectiveness of aviation infrastructure, expanding market connectivity, and strengthening links between aviation, trade, tourism, and logistics.

ACV, the Quang Tri Provincial People’s Committee, and T&T Group sign a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding for the 2026–2030 period to promote cooperation in air transport development, trade promotion, and tourism.

Through this partnership, ACV will leverage its experience in managing and operating airports nationwide to provide information, share operational expertise, and support research and initiatives to develop air routes. ACV will also engage with airlines and relevant partners to explore opportunities to expand air connectivity for the province. In addition, ACV will coordinate in promoting local tourism and trade potential, supporting digital transformation, and providing human resource training in accordance with the agreed cooperation framework.

The People’s Committee of Quang Tri Province will serve as the focal point for investment, trade, and tourism promotion, market development, and efforts to attract air routes, passengers, and cargo. Within its authority, the province will consider appropriate support mechanisms and direct relevant departments and agencies to coordinate implementation, develop tourism products, and organize destination marketing and promotional activities. These efforts are intended to create favorable conditions for establishing and sustaining air connections.

T&T Group will work with the other parties to research commercial solutions and promotional initiatives to attract airlines, develop air routes, and improve the operational effectiveness of Quang Tri Airport. The group will also facilitate business connections across the aviation, tourism, trade, and logistics sectors.

The three-party partnership is expected to generate fresh momentum for tapping into the region’s market potential, strengthening regional integration, and creating new opportunities for Quang Tri Province’s socioeconomic development.

Strengthening Airport Infrastructure to Meet Growing Air Transport Demand

Alongside air route development, enhancing airport infrastructure capacity is essential to meeting the region’s growing air transport demand. During the meeting, ACV provided updates on operations at Dong Hoi Airport, the progress of the Terminal T2 expansion project, and its plans to improve service quality and gradually meet the travel needs of residents and visitors, as well as the requirements of commercial activities.

Dong Hoi Airport’s existing Terminal T1 has a designed capacity of 500,000 passengers per year and can accommodate approximately 300 passengers per peak hour. In 2022, the airport handled 718,203 passengers, exceeding its original design capacity. In the first nine months of 2026, the airport served 446,248 passengers, equivalent to 81.9% of its full-year passenger traffic target.

Terminal T2 at Dong Hoi Airport, with a total investment of approximately VND 1.75 trillion and a designed capacity of 3 million passengers per year.

In response to increasing demand, ACV is implementing the construction investment project for Terminal T2 at Dong Hoi Airport, with a total investment of approximately VND 1.75 trillion. The new terminal is designed to handle 3 million passengers annually, with a peak-hour capacity of approximately 1,200 passengers. The project is expected to enter operation in March 2027.

Under the proposed operational plan, Terminal T2 will serve domestic passengers, while Terminal T1 is being considered for conversion to accommodate international flights, subject to actual demand and operational conditions.

Meanwhile, Quang Tri Airport, with T&T Group as its investor, is expected to supplement regional aviation infrastructure, expand transport connectivity, and support socioeconomic development. ACV’s signing of the airport operations contract with T&T Group represents a significant step in establishing a framework for airport operations cooperation, with the objective of ensuring safe, efficient operations in compliance with applicable regulations.

ACV and T&T Group sign the Quang Tri Airport Operation Contract in the presence of leaders of the Quang Tri Provincial People’s Committee and the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam.

Advancing Digital Transformation Towards Smart and Passenger-Friendly Airports

In addition to infrastructure and market development, digital transformation has been identified as a key priority for improving management, operational efficiency, and service quality at Dong Hoi Airport.

Building on existing technology systems and facilities to be developed under the Terminal T2 project, ACV aims to progressively establish an integrated digital service ecosystem covering the entire passenger journey, from accessing flight information and completing check-in procedures to security screening, passenger movement, and the use of airport services.

ACV is also exploring the potential application of artificial intelligence, smart information kiosks, and multilingual interactive support robots. These solutions are intended to improve access to information, enhance passenger assistance, and introduce travelers to the province’s tourism destinations.

Another key focus is strengthening connectivity and information sharing between Dong Hoi Airport and Quang Tri Province’s digital platforms. Relevant information may include transport services, ground transportation, accommodation, tourism, cuisine, and local services. This direction is also aligned with Plan No. 4218/KH-UBND dated August 26, 2026, issued by the People’s Committee of Quang Tri Province, on enhancing airport security, smart operations, and passenger-friendly services.

Through coordinated efforts in infrastructure development, operational preparation, market promotion, and digital transformation, ACV, the People’s Committee of Quang Tri Province, and T&T Group aim to make more effective use of the region’s air connectivity potential. Dong Hoi Airport will continue to strengthen its service capacity through investment, while Quang Tri Airport will progressively complete the necessary preparations for future operations.

Developing an integrated digital service ecosystem throughout the passenger journey, from flight information access and check-in to security screening, airport navigation, and the use of airport services.

The partnership is expected to strengthen regional connectivity, expand trade opportunities, attract tourists and investors, and bring Quang Tri’s distinctive natural, cultural, and historical assets closer to domestic and international markets. These efforts will contribute to the province’s socioeconomic development and long-term sustainable growth.

News and photos: Administration Department