Four rail link scenarios proposed between Tan Son Nhat and Long Thanh airports

(NLĐO) - Based on existing planning frameworks, the connection between the two airports could be developed through Ho Chi Minh City’s urban railway network.

The Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee has submitted a proposal to Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha, recommending the development of a rail link between Tan Son Nhat and Long Thanh airports to establish a strategic transport corridor and meet future passenger transit demand.

4 connection scenarios

Based on existing planning frameworks, the connection between the two airports could be developed through the city’s urban railway network, with four preliminary options under consideration.

Scenario 1 connects via Metro Line 2 (Tham Luong - Ben Thanh, Ben Thanh - Thu Thiem sections) and the Thu Thiem - Long Thanh railway line.  Under this plan, passengers traveling from Tan Son Nhat Airport would take Metro Line No. 2 to Ba Queo Station, then continue their journey on the Thu Thiem – Long Thanh line to reach Long Thanh Airport.

Scenario 2 uses Metro Line 6 and the Thu Thiem - Long Thanh railway line. Passengers would travel from Tan Son Nhat Airport on Metro Line No. 6, then transfer to the Thu Thiem – Long Thanh line at the Phu Huu junction to continue their trip.

Scenario 3 involves travelling on Metro Line 4 to Ben Thanh station, then transferring to Metro Line 2 (Ben Thanh - Thu Thiem section), and subsequently connecting to the Thu Thiem - Long Thanh railway.

Scenario 4 combines several routes: Metro Line No. 2 (Tham Luong – Ben Thanh), Metro Line No. 1 (Ben Thanh – Suoi Tien) extended to Dong Nai, Dong Nai’s Metro Line No. 2, and the Thu Thiem – Long Thanh railway. Under this option, passengers from Tan Son Nhat Airport would take Metro Line No. 2 to Ben Thanh Station, transfer to the extended Metro Line No. 1 toward Dong Nai, and then connect with the Thu Thiem – Long Thanh railway.

Most feasible option

The Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee assessed that connecting Tan Son Nhat and Long Thanh airports via Metro Line No. 2 and the Thu Thiem – Long Thanh railway is the most feasible and practical option for early implementation.

The Ben Thanh – Tham Luong section of Metro Line No. 2, approximately 12 kilometers long, has largely completed land clearance and is scheduled to begin construction in 2025, with completion expected before 2032. The area around Ba Queo Station — which will serve as the transfer point between Tan Son Nhat Airport and the metro — is also undergoing plans to widen key roads such as Truong Chinh and Tan Ky – Tan Quy, with completion targeted for 2029, facilitating smoother passenger transfers.

The Ben Thanh – Thu Thiem section, about 6 kilometers long, is planned to run underground along Ham Nghi and Mai Chi Tho streets, minimizing land clearance needs and accelerating construction progress. Meanwhile, the Thu Thiem – Long Thanh railway will follow the Ho Chi Minh City – Long Thanh – Dau Giay Expressway and Ring Road No. 3 corridor, mostly passing through undeveloped areas, allowing for rapid implementation.

This rail corridor has a major advantage as it connects directly to downtown Ho Chi Minh City via Ben Thanh Station — the central interchange for Metro Lines No. 1, 2, 3, and 4.

Once Metro Line No. 6 is developed and completed, it will serve all three terminals (T1, T2, and T3) of Tan Son Nhat Airport, linking with Metro Line No. 2 at Ba Queo Station and the Thu Thiem – Long Thanh railway. This will create an integrated transport corridor between the two airports and help reduce congestion in the city center.