Van Don International Airport (IATA: VDO, ICAO: VVVD) in the northeastern province of Quang Ninh will facilitate the Halong Bay discovery of international visitors in their Vietnam tour. The airport is situated in Quang Ninh Province, 50km apart from the UNESCO World Heritage site. By taking a 90-minute or taxi, visitors will be able to reach Halong Bay.
Prior to the launch of Van Don International Airport, foreign visitors have to fly to Noi Bai International Airport in the capital city of Hanoi and then take a 3-hour bus route to Halong Bay. Engaging with a reputable Vietnam tour operator can further enhance this experience, providing valuable insights and assistance throughout the journey.
The architectural design of the airport is said to take inspiration from boat sails – the symbolic image of Halong Bay. “It’s the most modern airport in Vietnam”, said Romy Berntsen – the project manager and architect from Netherlands Airport Consultants which is an airport consultancy and engineering firm assisting in Van Don’s construction.
Van Don Airport was started to build in 2015 and it was the first international airport in Vietnam to be operated by a private firm – Sun Group – Vietnam’s premier developer of tourism, leisure and entertainment properties and projects.
By 2020, the airport is forecast to have an annual capacity of two million passengers, and increase to five million by 2030. In the first year of operation, Van Don Airport is set to receive 500,000 passenger arrivals/departures.
In addition, The Halong International cruise port and the Halong – Van Don highway are in the pipeline to make getting to the UNESCO World Heritage site even easier. Thanks to the 60-km highway, it will only take 50 minutes to reach Halong City from Van Don International Airport. The Halong International Cruise Port will be dedicated to receiving international cruise ships. The massive port will be able to accommodate two cruise ships at the same time and it is set to be a new landmark for the city of Quang Ninh. Van Don International Airport is expected to boost the local economy, including tourism at Halong Bay.
