Chinese firm proposes investment in railway linking Long Thanh, Tan Son Nhat airports

China Pacific Construction Group has sent an official document to Ho Chi Minh City authorities and Vietnam’s government agencies proposing the investment in a railway connecting Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City and the under-construction Long Thanh International Airport in neighboring Dong Nai Province.

The group has shown significant interest in the Long Thanh-Thu Thiem railway and other urban rail projects.

Since late 2023, the firm has conducted multiple site surveys in coordination with top Chinese design institutes and has undertaken in-depth research on the projects.

Based on their findings, the group proposed investing in a project that includes both the 42-km Long Thanh-Thu Thiem railway and a 6.8-km segment of metro line No. 6 from Ba Queo Station to Phu Huu Station.

According to the group, metro line No. 6 would provide better connectivity to Tan Son Nhat International Airport than metro line No. 2. Both lines are still in the works.

Additionally, since metro line No. 6 has not yet been studied in detail, it allows greater flexibility in designing a seamless connection with the Long Thanh-Thu Thiem railway.

The group put forward three investment models:

Option 1: Public investment via EPC (engineering, procurement, and construction) contract

The government would contribute 60 percent of the funding during construction, while the contractor would advance 40 percent under a deferred payment plan.

The government would repay the deferred amount over five or eight years at lower interest rates than domestic bank loans (3–3.5 percent per year for five years; 4–5 percent per year for eight years).

Option 2: Public-private partnership via build-transfer contract

The government would repay the investor in cash or a combination of cash and land within transit-oriented development (TOD) zones along the project. The investor would cover up to 40 percent of the total capital.

Option 3: Turnkey investment model

The investor would finance, build, and complete the project, then transfer it upon completion.

Initially, the company is seeking approval to conduct feasibility studies. If approved, the group commits to completing the pre-feasibility phase within six months, provided they receive the necessary data and documentation.

The company also pledged to complete the full project within 4.5 to five years, contingent on timely land clearance.

If the feasibility study is not approved, the investor will bear the full financial risk.

During the investment process, the group plans to collaborate with Vietnamese enterprises and prioritize using local services.

A consortium will be formed, led by China Pacific Construction Group, alongside top Chinese and Vietnamese companies, to jointly conduct studies and implement the project.

The consortium aims to leverage the strengths of the Vietnamese firms while facilitating knowledge transfer, technology sharing, and workforce training, the group stated in its official proposition.

Previously, Vietnamese conglomerate Truong Hai Auto Corporation (THACO) submitted a proposal to connect the two airports using the Long Thanh-Thu Thiem railway, integrated with metro line No. 2, including segments from Ben Thanh to Thu Thiem and Ben Thanh to Tham Luong.

Ho Chi Minh City authorities have held meetings with THACO to listen to the investor’s proposal.

THACO has signed a contract with a consortium of international design consultants including Typsa (Spain), Saman (South Korea), and Senest (South Korea) to design the Ben Thanh-Thu Thiem-Long Thanh line.

The group suggests implementing the project under either a public-private partnership or direct investment as per Vietnam’s Investment Law.

Due to the massive funding required and the urgent need to accelerate connectivity ahead of Long Thanh Airport’s expected commercial operations next year, railway projects are considered a high-priority infrastructure initiative.

According to the current plan, three rail lines are designed to connect Tan Son Nhat and Long Thanh airports: metro line No. 2, metro line No. 6, and the Long Thanh-Thu Thiem railway.

The Long Thanh-Thu Thiem line, classified as a national railway project, is under review by the Ministry of Construction. It is expected that the prime minister will designate the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee as the managing authority.

Metro line No. 2 will connect Tan Son Nhat Airport and link to the Long Thanh-Thu Thiem railway at Thu Thiem Station.

Metro line No. 6 is planned to connect directly to the Long Thanh-Thu Thiem railway at the Phu Huu interchange after passing through Tan Son Nhat Airport.

By Thanh Ha & Duc Phu – Tuoi Tre News – September 23, 2025