Check-in counters at Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi. Photo by VnExpress/Ngoc Thanh
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has called for plans to build an international airport in the southern Red River Delta, which is home to 11 cities and provinces.
Chairing a meeting on Thursday to discuss the region’s development, he stressed that the northern part of the delta has three international airports in Hanoi, Quang Ninh province and Hai Phong city, and more are needed for the south.
In July, the Ministry of Transport announced the airport’s construction program until 2030.
By that year, the country will have the current 14 international airports and 16 domestic airports.
By 2050, this number will increase to 33, but the number of international airports will remain unchanged. Cat Bi Airport in Hai Phong will be replaced by Hai Phong Airport.
A new domestic airport will be built in the Hanoi metropolitan area, made up of the capital and nine neighboring provinces, to ease pressure on Noi Bai Airport.
The government has set an annual economic growth target of 9% this decade for the delta.
Industry and construction will remain the key sectors, representing 47% and 41% of growth.
Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong said at a conference last November that the Red River Delta has always had strategic importance in terms of politics, economy, culture, society and security.
It is a gateway for Vietnam and other ASEAN members to China, but its socio-economic development is not up to its potential, he said.
It represents 6.4% of Vietnam’s total area and its population of 23 million 24%.
Its per capita income is 30% higher than the national average.
