Lien Khuong Airport reopening boosts Lam Dong tourism prospects

The first flights landed at Liên Khuong International Airport on August 19, marking the resumption of operations after more than five months of closure for runway and taxiway repairs.

The return of air services has brought excitement to passengers and created new opportunities to attract visitors to Lam Dong during the final months of the year.

Joy as the first flights return

Immediately after arriving at Lien Khuong International Airport, Jimmy, an Australian tourist, and his family were surprised by the lively atmosphere and warm welcome.

The cool, rainy weather particularly delighted him. He also enjoyed a vibrant cultural performance featuring traditional musical instruments.

“I think my one-month stay here will certainly be full of interesting experiences. And I definitely cannot miss your local cuisine,” Jimmy said.

For Jimmy's family, the flight to Lam Dong marked the beginning of a one-month journey.

The extended stay will give them more time to explore the province's landscapes, culture and cuisine. Their first experiences in Lam Dong also offer an early glimpse of the province’s appeal to international visitors.

Among the first passengers on flight VN1955 from Da Nang, Tran Tram Huyen was equally excited to return to Da Lat.

She said she had been looking forward to the trip for a long time, having waited six months for the opportunity to book a flight to Da Lat.

“My family often travels together, including our young children. Long bus journeys or flights requiring multiple connections can be quite inconvenient. Today, everyone woke up early to go to the airport, and we are very happy to be among the first passengers to arrive in Da Lat,” Huyen said.

According to Huyen, Da Lat is an ideal destination during the summer. While Da Nang is experiencing hot weather, Da Lat's cool climate remains a major attraction.

For families with young children, a direct flight makes the journey considerably easier and more convenient.

The same excitement was seen on the Can Tho-Da Lat route, which resumed after nearly six years of suspension, with seven flights scheduled each week.

Nguyen Huu Phuoc, who was also on the flight, said he was extremely happy to see the route return.

A Can Tho resident who frequently travels to Da Lat for tourism and business, Phuoc recalled that previous trips could take almost 12 hours.

“I used to leave at 8 p.m. and arrive in Da Lat at around 8 a.m. the next day. Now, the journey takes only about one hour by air,” he said.

A boost for the year-end tourism season

Speaking at the ceremony marking the reopening of the Da Lat-Can Tho air route, Nguyen Hong Hai, Member of the Standing Committee of the Lam Dong Provincial Party Committee and Vice Chairman of the Lam Dong Provincial People's Committee, highlighted the importance of restoring the route for Lam Dong.

The provincial leader expressed confidence that the route would quickly demonstrate its effectiveness and maintain stable operations, helping promote socio-economic development, facilitate trade and strengthen connectivity between Lam Dong and Can Tho.

“The restoration of this route will help expand the tourism market, strengthen links between localities and connect Lam Dong's distinctive tourism products with the Mekong Delta. This will create additional momentum for tourism, trade and services while contributing to local economic development,” Nguyen Hong Hai said.

An estimated 816,000 passengers are expected to pass through Lien Khuong Airport during the final four months of the year.

The reopening comes as Lam Dong enters a major tourism season featuring a series of large-scale events, including the 11th Da Lat-Lam Dong Flower Festival, the 3rd Vietnam Brocade Culture Festival and Langbiang International Music Festival 2026.

These events are expected to increase the province's appeal to visitors while creating opportunities for tourism businesses to develop new tours, routes and products and attract additional visitor markets.

Tourism businesses prepare for new demand

The return of air services is also prompting local tourism businesses to restart tours, strengthen cooperation with airlines and travel partners, and expand their markets.

At Ana Mandara Villas Dalat Resort & Spa, executive director Tran Thi Dung said the resort immediately developed a promotional package called “Fly back to Dalat” after flights resumed, offering incentives to attract visitors arriving by air.

The initial response has been encouraging. On the first day of resumed flight operations, about two-thirds of guests checking in at the resort had traveled by air.

To prepare for Vietnam's National Day holiday on September 2 and the major year-end events, the resort has also upgraded its landscaping, planted additional flowers and refreshed its public spaces.

During the Flower Festival, the resort plans to offer free access for visitors to explore its historic villas.

“We have made the best preparations to welcome visitors back, especially during the year-end festival season,” Dung said.

From Da Lat to coastal areas, highlands, forests and lakes, Lam Dong offers visitors a diverse range of landscapes and culturally distinctive destinations.

The return of direct flights will not only shorten travel times but also provide fresh momentum for the province's tourism sector during the final months of the year.

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Over the years, I have always hoped that the Da Lat-Can Tho air route would be restored to shorten travel time, make journeys more convenient and reduce the risks associated with long-distance bus travel.

Nguyen Huu Phuoc, a tourist from Can Tho

Hong Tham