The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Construction submitted a plan to the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee, proposing routes designed to connect major transport hubs: airports, inter-provincial bus stations, urban centers, expressways, and national highways. These routes will primarily traverse main arteries, densely populated areas, and tourist attractions, aiming to improve operational efficiency.

Unlike traditional buses, these new routes will operate as high-quality airport bus services. Some routes will only stop at major transfer points, limiting roadside pickups to reduce travel time. Operators will use a variety of vehicles, with capacities ranging from 9 to 80 seats; routes operating on expressways will not have standing room.

Construction site of Long Thanh airport, 3/2026. Photo: Quynh Tran

The 13 proposed routes include: Saigon Bus Station - Long Thanh; Tan Son Nhat - Long Thanh; Binh Duong Bus Station - Long Thanh; New Mien Dong Bus Station - Long Thanh; Tan Son Nhat - Thu Thiem - Ba Ria - Vung Tau; Tan Son Nhat - Ba Son bridge - Long Son - Long Hai; Tan Son Nhat - Cho Lon - Phu My - Dat Do - Phuoc Hai; Vung Tau Bus Station - Long Thanh; District 8 Bus Station - Long Thanh; Bau Bang Bus Station - Long Thanh; Mien Tay Bus Station - Long Thanh; Long Thanh - Phuoc Hai - Long Hai; Long Thanh - Phuoc Buu - Ho Tram.

Additionally, four existing routes on national highway 51 (60-3, 72-1, 72-2B, 172) are proposed for route adjustments to enhance airport connectivity.

Ho Chi Minh City - Long Thanh airport connectivity network. Graphic: Khanh Hoang

The Department of Construction proposed a three-phase implementation plan, aligning with operational progress and passenger demand. Phase one, starting in Quarter III this year, will connect the four existing routes and launch two airport express routes: Saigon Bus Station - Long Thanh and Tan Son Nhat - Long Thanh. These will serve direct travel and transfers between the two airports.

From 2027, phase two will introduce five additional routes, including those from Binh Duong, New Mien Dong Bus Station, and key connections between Tan Son Nhat and Thu Thiem, Vung Tau. Phase three, anticipated in Quarter IV/2027, will complete the network with the remaining six routes once passenger volumes stabilize.

As these routes are inter-provincial, implementation requires consultation with the Ministry of Construction and coordination between Ho Chi Minh City and Dong Nai to standardize the network and selection criteria for transport operators.

Long Thanh airport is a key national project spanning about 5,000 hectares, with a total investment of nearly 337,000 billion dong. Phase 1 operations are scheduled to begin by the end of 2026. Currently, access to the airport is primarily via the Ho Chi Minh City - Long Thanh - Dau Giay expressway and national highways 1 and 51. Railway and metro projects are currently preparing for investment, with completion anticipated after 2030.

Giang Anh