The Road to Da Lat as Lien Khuong Airport Temporarily Closes

According to a decision by the Ministry of Construction, Lien Khuong International Airport (Lien Khuong Airport), located about 30 km from central Da Lat in Lam Dong Province, will temporarily suspend operations from March 4 to August 25, 2026 to carry out a runway and taxiway rehabilitation project, along with upgrades to related facilities, thereby ensuring operational safety and enhancing long-term service capacity.

The Final Flights Before Closing Time

In the final days of February 2026, the atmosphere at Lien Khuong Airport remained as bustling as ever. Yet amid the steady flow of passengers and aircraft was a sense of urgency, as preparations intensified ahead of the temporary closure for runway repairs after many years of operation.

This important project aims to ensure long-term operational safety and enhance the airport’s service capacity in the coming period.

On the morning of February 27, operations at the terminal continued as usual, with flights taking off and landing regularly while passengers checked in and dropped off their luggage.

Most domestic routes operated to and from Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, Hanoi and Vinh. Meanwhile, the airport also maintained an international service with a departing flight to Taipei, Taiwan.

In the final days before the temporary suspension of operations, behind the airside area, technical, security and operations staff were completing their remaining tasks: inventorying assets, reviewing equipment systems and preparing site handover plans for the construction contractor.

At the same time, construction units have been expediting site preparations, opening access routes for material transport and arranging storage areas for stone and sand. Specialized machinery has been mobilized by the contractor to ensure work can begin on schedule on March 4.

Mr. Vo Quang Quoc, Deputy Director of Lien Khuong International Airport, said the temporary closure had been planned for several months to ensure everything would be ready before the handover.

“We informed on-site service tenants, transport operators, aviation fuel suppliers and airlines about three months in advance so they could proactively adjust their plans ahead of the airport’s closure in early March,” Quoc said.

According to Lien Khuong International Airport, flights will continue to operate normally until midnight on March 3. The airport will officially close at 00:00 on March 4 and remain shut until 23:59 on August 25, 2026 (local time), in accordance with a decision issued by the Ministry of Construction.

Lien Khuong International Airport has a capacity of 2.5 million passengers per year. The airport serves as a key aviation gateway for Lam Dong Province and the Central Highlands, providing direct connections to major hubs such as Hanoi, Da Nang, Ho Chi Minh City, as well as several international destinations.

However, after many years of high-frequency operations, signs of deterioration have emerged, meaning the infrastructure no longer meets technical standards. The repairs are therefore essential to ensure flight safety and to meet future growth demand.

According to the master plan, after the upgrade, Lien Khuong Airport will be classified as a 4E international airport — the highest category currently in Vietnam — with a target capacity of 5 million passengers per year by 2030 and around 7 million passengers per year by 2050.

During the closure period, hundreds of airport staff will be reassigned to suitable duties and will coordinate with the construction units to ensure security and safety across the site.

To ensure passengers’ rights for flights booked prior to the airport’s temporary closure, Vietnam Airlines issued a notice on February 25. To meet alternative travel demand, the carrier has increased services on nearby routes such as Ho Chi Minh City – Buon Ma Thuot, Ho Chi Minh City – Pleiku, and Da Nang – Buon Ma Thuot, providing additional transit options for passengers.

Multiple alternative options to reach Da Lat

The closure of Lien Khuong Airport has temporarily disrupted air travel to Da Lat; however, management authorities and airlines have put alternative arrangements in place.

Mr. Vo Quang Quoc, Deputy Director of Lien Khuong International Airport, said passengers may choose to travel via Cam Ranh International Airport (Khanh Hoa), located about 160 km from Da Lat, to connect to other destinations.

This airport operates numerous domestic and international routes with high flight frequency. From there, passengers can travel by car along National Highway 27C, which takes approximately 3.5 to 4 hours to reach Da Lat.

Another option is Tan Son Nhat International Airport — the country’s largest airport with an extensive route network. From Ho Chi Minh City, passengers can travel by car via National Highway 20, which takes approximately 6–7 hours to reach Lam Dong.

In addition, Buon Ma Thuot Airport is a suitable alternative for passengers in the northern part of the province and the Central Highlands, located about 210 km from Da Lat.

Concurrently, road transport emerges as the primary solution during the closure of Lien Khuong Airport. Located approximately 300 km from Ho Chi Minh City, Da Lat remains a highly accessible destination for southern travelers, benefiting from a manageable driving distance and well-established infrastructure.

Currently, National Highway 20 linking Da Lat with Ho Chi Minh City is the main transport artery, carrying the highest traffic volume. The route passes through localities such as Bao Loc and Dong Nai, facilitating travel by private cars and interprovincial coaches. Average travel time ranges from 6 to 7 hours, depending on traffic conditions.

In addition, the route toward Khanh Hoa Province via National Highway 27C is also a popular choice, connecting Da Lat with Nha Trang. This scenic road has been upgraded, reducing travel time to approximately 3.5 to 4 hours. It is particularly convenient for passengers combining road and air travel through the South Central Coast region.

Notably, National Highway 28B across Dai Ninh Pass has been largely upgraded and is gradually becoming an important corridor linking Lam Dong with the former Binh Thuan Province and the coastal region.

As a frequent driver on National Highway 28B, Tran Van Huy shared that the route is changing day by day, gradually forming a “silk ribbon” connecting the “sea and flowers” of the new Lam Dong Province.

Sharing the same view, Phan Hoai Anh, a visitor from Dong Nai, said this is currently the fastest main route connecting Ho Chi Minh City with Da Lat.

“Thanks to the smooth traffic flow on the Phan Thiet – Dau Giay Expressway, travel time has been shortened and it is more convenient compared to taking National Highway 20 to Da Lat,” she noted.

To ensure convenience for visitors traveling to Da Lat during the temporary closure of Lien Khuong Airport, Khuc Thi Thoi, Deputy Director of the Lam Dong Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, said the province had developed response plans early on. Among these measures, Lam Dong will strengthen arrangements to facilitate smooth road travel for passengers heading to Da Lat.

At present, according to local travel agencies, hotels, and transport service providers, businesses in Lam Dong have also proactively developed adaptation plans, increasing combined road tours and strengthening links with nearby destinations to retain visitors to Da Lat.

According to Lam Dong travel businesses, the six-month temporary closure of Lien Khuong Airport will inevitably cause significant disruptions to travel and directly impact tourism activities in the Da Lat area.

However, in the long term, this is considered an important step toward equipping Lam Dong with modern aviation infrastructure capable of accommodating strong growth in visitor numbers in the years ahead.