Hanoi's second airport will be for domestic flights only, according to Vietnam's airport development master plan for 2021-2050.

Foreign passengers pass the security check at Noi Bai International Airport. Photo: noibaiairport.vn

Under the master plan signed by Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha on June 7, Hanoi will build the second airport on either the southern side or the southeastern side of the city.

Accordingly, Noi Bai International Airport will be the capital's only international terminal.

Hanoi is keen to develop its second international airport for inbound and outbound travel.

In mid-May, the capital asked the Ministry of Transport to review the national airport development plan, as local authorities predict that air traffic to the city will reach 150 million passengers per year by 2050.

Hanoi expects the capital region's population to grow to 21-23 million by 2050, with a total area of more than 24,3000 square kilometers.

Several sites, including Thuong Tin, Hoai Duc and Ung Hoa districts, and even in neighboring provinces such as Ha Nam and Hai Duong, have been proposed as locations for the second airport.

In response, the Ministry of Transport asked the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam to study the development plan for Hanoi's second airport.

According to the latest National Airport Development Master Plan, there will be 30 airports in the country by 2030, including 14 international and 16 domestic terminals.

The total cost of airport development by 2030 is estimated at VND420 trillion (US$17.9 billion).

The 14 international airports include Noi Bai in Hanoi, Tan Son Nhat and Long Thanh in Ho Chi Minh City, Cantho, Phu Quoc in the southern province of Kien Giang, Van Don in Quang Ninh Province, Danang and Cat Bi in the northern port city of Haiphong.

Some of the 16 domestic airports are Lai Chau, Dien Bien, Sa Pa, Dong Hoi, Quang Tri, Phu Cat and Con Dao.

Currently, there are 22 operational airports in the country.

By 2050, Vietnam will have 33 airports, with the number of international airports remaining at 14 and the number of domestic airports increasing by three to 19.

In particular, Haiphong will have a new international airport to replace Cat Bi in 2050.