Workers fix the floor at Terminal 3 at Tan Son Nhat Airport on May 21.
Nguyen Duc Toan, Deputy General Director of Hanoi Construction Corporation (Hancorp), the contractor in charge of Terminal 3, told Dantri that certain parts of the terminal floor remain incomplete, particularly around cable box areas where large gaps pose tripping hazards.
"We're aware of the issue and have discussed plans to fix it. The wide gaps will be filled with adhesive for now," Toan stated.
He acknowledged that while the terminal officially opened on April 19, some final tasks, including polishing and sealing the stone flooring, had not been completed.
"The main construction work is done, but the floor needs to be polished, sealed, and levelled. During pre-launch inspections, all parties agreed that finishing touches would continue after the inauguration," he added.
Toan explained that since the terminal became operational, ongoing work has been limited by time and space constraints. Construction workers mostly operate at night, during hours with fewer flights and passengers.
"The remaining tasks include sealing gaps and polishing the stone surface. Over half the floor has already been completed, with just a few sections left. We aim to finish everything by the end of June," he noted.
When asked why the project was inaugurated before completion, Toan said Terminal 3 was a major project tied to the 50th anniversary of national reunification and was under tight deadlines.
"It's a massive project under strict timelines, so some elements, especially those highly visible to the public like the flooring, were left for post-launch completion. Unfortunately, some imperfections remain, which we regret," he said.
Toan added that dust barriers were installed around active work zones, though full coverage was impossible during operational hours. Some areas were left uncovered when no work was being done.
Since its launch, Terminal 3 has been criticised for roof leaks during rain, visible floor gaps, and inconvenient access routes to parking and drop-off areas.
Some of the tile gaps measured nearly two centimetres wide.
In response, the State Agency for Construction Quality Inspection has instructed the project owner to review all post-launch issues and implement timely corrective measures. Meanwhile, the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam has called on the airport and airlines to improve support for passengers transitioning to the new terminal.
