In a report submitted to the government, Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV) said workforce mobilisation at the Long Thanh International Airport construction site has faced significant obstacles, raising concerns over potential delays.
The airport, launched in early 2021 on a 5,000 hectare site in Long Thanh Commune, is a key national infrastructure project with total investment of about VND 337 trillion (approximately USD 13.2 billion). It is scheduled for completion and operation by the end of this year.
However, ACV said engineers and workers have recently been leaving mid project, particularly from major components such as the runway and passenger terminal, to join other construction sites. Despite repeated requests for contractors to increase staffing, the workforce reached only about 8,457 people by mid April, equivalent to 60 per cent of demand, against a target of around 14,000.
At the passenger terminal package, daily labour peaked at around 5,300 workers before January 26 but dropped to 1,500 afterwards. It has recently recovered to about 3,400, still well below the required 6,000.
ACV attributed the shortage to strong competition from other major infrastructure projects in the region, including the Bien Hoa-Vung Tau Expressway and the expansion of the Ho Chi Minh City-Long Thanh Expressway, as well as other components within the airport project itself. Harsh working conditions, including heat and dust, have also made it difficult to attract and retain workers.
A contractor representative said payment bottlenecks from the investor were a key factor driving workers away. Rising fuel prices and escalating input costs have strained cash flow, placing heavy pressure on construction firms.
Another contractor said it remained committed to contractual progress but had reassigned workers after completing certain components. A surge in construction activity in southern Vietnam, coupled with more attractive wages elsewhere, has also prompted labour shifts.
Beyond workforce shortages, volatility in fuel and material costs has significantly affected progress. ACV noted that asphalt prices have risen by 40 to 50 per cent, while equipment operating costs have surged as fuel prices have nearly doubled.
Around 2,500 pieces of construction equipment, including excavators, bulldozers, rollers, cranes and concrete batching plants, are currently deployed. However, rising costs have forced some contractors to absorb losses per shift, with some slowing work while awaiting more stable supply conditions or policy adjustments.
The project is also facing challenges related to design, legal procedures and payment processes, further affecting the overall timeline. ACV has urged the government to direct ministries and local authorities to stabilise material and fuel supplies and resolve outstanding issues to ensure progress.
Long Thanh International Airport project is being developed in three phases. After five years of construction, phase one components are gradually nearing completion.
Under operational plans, ACV has proposed gradually transferring international flights from Tan Son Nhat Airport to Long Thanh from the end of 2026, with the aim of handling around 90 per cent of international passengers in the Ho Chi Minh City area by 2027. The company has also recently begun recruiting staff in preparation for operations by late 2026.
