From gridlock on the ground to aircraft queues in the sky, public reaction to the proposed shift from Tan Son Nhat to Long Thanh Airport reveals more than just concerns over infrastructure. It reflects a broader question: how capable is Vietnam at planning and executing major public policy decisions?

Following the publication of the article “Relocating to Long Thanh: Sacrificing domestic convenience for national ambition”, VietNamNet received a wave of comments from readers across the country.

Diem Cai Thi Mai, a resident living about 4 kilometers from Tan Son Nhat Airport, admitted she prefers the convenience of proximity. However, from a public transportation perspective, she noted, “The gridlock problem at the airport is unsolvable. The more you expand capacity, the worse the congestion gets.”

Mai also raised environmental and safety concerns: “We’re talking about hundreds, even thousands of takeoffs and landings daily. Has any scientist calculated the emissions from these aircraft operations?”

In contrast, reader Tranchau argued that “Tan Son Nhat is the best-performing airport in the country.” Pointing to Ho Chi Minh City's status as Vietnam’s economic hub with the highest GDP, Tranchau emphasized the continued demand from international travelers: “They want to come here to work and travel. Moving international flights to Long Thanh needs more time to develop the supporting infrastructure. We should keep international flights at Tan Son Nhat and let passengers choose their preferred airport.”

Reader Giagan focused on connection logistics: “International and domestic transit passengers will have to travel a long distance between airports. Airlines will find it harder to schedule connections. It's better to maintain both international and domestic flights at both airports.”

Bui Van Chung offered a metaphor: “An airport is like a reputable restaurant. If it has a long-standing brand, good service, and is conveniently located in an economic center, it will naturally be packed. Tan Son Nhat’s popularity is something to be proud of. Look at Heathrow, Changi, or Charles de Gaulle – none of them are ever quiet.”

“Sacrificing the small” to accomplish the big

Other readers offered a different perspective, seeing Long Thanh as an opportunity. Hùng wrote: “There should be a roadmap to transfer all international flights from Tan Son Nhat to Long Thanh, keeping Tan Son Nhat for domestic use. Long Thanh can handle international flights for the southern region and selected domestic routes based on geographic fit.”

Reader Huy Nguyen put it bluntly: “You can’t do big things without giving up the small ones. The urgent need is to plan and build a metro line to connect Long Thanh to Ho Chi Minh City’s center. If we cling to an airport in the city core, we’ll forever lag behind. Every time I enter or exit the country through Tan Son Nhat, I’m exhausted by traffic jams, aircraft delays, and overcrowding. The roads in and out are like an ant colony.”

Quang asked a crucial question: “If we move everything to Long Thanh, then international guests, politicians, billionaires – won’t they have to detour through Dong Nai just to reach Ho Chi Minh City?”

Haile suggested a technical solution: “Why not build a nonstop metro line between Tan Son Nhat and Long Thanh solely for transit passengers? It would be much faster.”

These diverse viewpoints highlight the complexity of public policy decisions. Moving all international flights to Long Thanh without a synchronized infrastructure network could inconvenience passengers and undermine Ho Chi Minh City's appeal. Yet maintaining two international airports risks overloading, pollution, and flight safety concerns at Tan Son Nhat.

This discussion illustrates the need for a “policy follows infrastructure” approach. Public planning must be both forward-thinking and inclusive. As one reader put it: “You can't achieve something big without giving up something small.” But that “big thing” will only succeed if it’s carefully prepared and shaped by public consultation. That’s the only way a truly national opportunity can take flight.

Thanh Hue