These details are outlined in the draft General Master Plan for Can Tho City until 2050, with a vision to 2075, which is currently seeking public feedback. According to the consulting firm, the new airport is being studied to enhance regional connectivity, integrate with major transport hubs, and leverage coastal economic advantages.

Can Tho, formed after the merger of the former Can Tho City with Hau Giang and Soc Trang provinces, has an expanded area for the new airport study, stretching from the city center to the Tran De coastal region.

The first option places the airport in the coastal area of Tran De, part of pre-merger Soc Trang. This site directly connects to the transport system leading to Tran De seaport.

Three proposed locations for a new airport in Can Tho. Graphics: Khanh Hoang

According to the consultant, this location offers the advantage of combining air and sea transport, supporting the development of a marine economic zone and logistics activities. If related infrastructure receives synchronous investment, the area could form an integrated complex of seaport, airport, road, and rail, linked to a large-scale logistics center.

The second option positions the airport in the southern part of the former Soc Trang City, near the interchange between the Chau Doc - Can Tho - Soc Trang expressway and the CT33 expressway (TP HCM - Soc Trang). This location facilitates inter-regional road connections, seaports, and the coastal economic corridor.

The third option is located about 30 km south of the existing Can Tho airport, near the interchange of the Chau Doc - Can Tho - Soc Trang expressway with the Can Tho - Ca Mau route and a planned high-speed railway line.

The consultant notes that this option is closer to the regional center, facilitating the use of land in the southern part of the city and serving as a hub for intra-regional passenger and cargo transit.

In addition to studying a new airport, the consultant proposes increasing the capacity of the existing Can Tho International Airport to 18-20 million passengers per year by 2050.

The current Can Tho airport. Photo: An Binh

The existing Can Tho airport, located in Thoi An Dong ward about 7 km from the city center, features one runway 3 km long and 45 m wide, 10 aircraft parking positions, and a passenger terminal with a capacity of about 3-5 million passengers annually. In recent years, the airport has handled approximately 1-1.4 million passengers each year and has not had regular international routes since Covid-19.

According to the National Airport System Master Plan, revised in 5/2026, Can Tho International Airport is projected to reach a capacity of 7 million passengers per year by 2030 and 12 million by 2050. The city's proposed capacity of 18-20 million passengers is 6-8 million passengers higher than the current national aviation master plan.

Also in the draft, the consulting firm proposes building a new administrative center for Can Tho, approximately 20 ha in size, in the Nga Bay area. This center would be part of a larger administrative urban area spanning 70-100 ha. This location is considered favorable for connecting various parts of the city after the merger.

An Binh