Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV) said on October 31 that the airport would introduce the paperless passenger journey model when it opens on December 24, integrating it with VNeID and the national population database.
Biometric and facial recognition technology means passengers do not need to carry documents at security gates and boarding gates (Photo: Hoang Binh).
The airport will use biometric technology, including facial recognition, to verify passengers at three automated checkpoints: check-in counters, security screening and boarding gates. Passengers' identities will be verified using chip-enabled citizen identity cards and facial recognition cameras throughout the process.
The terminal will also feature 12 fully automated biometric security lanes. Facial or iris scans will be matched against stored data within seconds, eliminating the need for passengers to repeatedly present boarding passes and identity documents manually.
For baggage handling, the airport is equipped with a high-speed automated baggage handling system (BHS), featuring 24km of conveyor belts designed to connect directly with the smart terminal infrastructure.
Unlike conventional conveyor belts, the system uses advanced individual carrier system (ICS) technology. Each piece of luggage is placed on an independent tray fitted with a tracking chip, allowing it to move at high speeds and be routed precisely while reducing friction and the risk of jams, damage or loss.
The system also includes 28 next-generation CT scanners and 28 sorting units. The scanners produce detailed 3D images of baggage contents, enabling the automatic detection of explosives and prohibited items without requiring passengers to remove belongings from their suitcases.
Combined with biometric technology, the automated baggage system will allow passengers to weigh their luggage, print and attach baggage tags, and place their bags on the conveyor system themselves, without staff assistance at check-in counters.
ACV previously notified the Dong Nai People's Committee that Long Thanh International Airport was scheduled to begin operations at midnight on December 24.
The self-service check-in counter area at Long Thanh Airport's passenger terminal (Photo: Hoang Binh).
The airport, a major national project in Dong Nai, has a total investment of approximately USD 5 billion and covers 5,364 hectares. It is designed to handle 100 million passengers annually, making it Vietnam's largest airport. The project is being developed in three phases: 2021-2025, 2025-2030 and 2035-2040.
