Tag: Vietnam

Vietnamese National Arrested In Parañaque City Over Financial Crime

Vietnamese National Arrested In Parañaque City Over Financial Crime

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Recently in the City of Parañaque, a woman from Vietnam was arrested for estafa over a money deal in which she failed to release P70,000 to a Chinese national who transferred foreign currency to her, according to a news report by The Daily Tribune.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from The Daily Tribune report. Some parts in boldface…

A 32-year-old Vietnamese national was arrested in Parañaque City after allegedly receiving 7,607.98 Chinese yuan through Alipay but failing to turn over the agreed P70,000 equivalent in Philippine currency to a Chinese national.

The incident occurred on 7 August at around 3:20 p.m. at Bayview Garden Homes 2 along Roxas Boulevard in Barangay Tambo, Parañaque City. The complainant was identified as a 28-year-old Chinese national.

Initial investigation showed that the two met through a Telegram group where the suspect allegedly offered money exchange services.

The complainant transferred 7,607.98 Chinese yuan to an Alipay account designated by the suspect in exchange for P70,000.

However, the suspect allegedly failed to deliver the agreed cash and repeatedly made excuses when the complainant demanded payment, prompting him to seek police assistance and file charges.

The Vietnamese national was arrested for alleged violation of Article 315 of the Revised Penal Code, or estafa.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What do you think about this recent development? If you are a resident of Parañaque, are you concerned that there could be more financial crimes happening within the city?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @CarloCarrascoPH as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

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Philippines Attracts 3.7 Million International Visitors in First 7 Months of 2026

Philippines Attracts 3.7 Million International Visitors in First 7 Months of 2026

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The Philippines, which has been struggling with weak economic growth and high inflation, attracted 3.7 million international visitors in the first 7 months of this year, according to a news report by BusinessWorld.

Be mindful that the words “international visitors” includes both foreign tourists as well as Filipinos who are based abroad who happened to return to the country as “balikbayan”. For insight, the Philippines attracted 5.9 million foreign tourists in 2025 plus over half-a-million Filipinos from overseas which combines for 6.4 million international visitors for the year. For the first half of 2026, the nation attracted 2.9 million foreign tourists.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the BusinessWorld news report. Some parts in boldface…

The number of Philippine international visitors grew to around 3.7 million as of July, buoyed by more relaxed visa policies, with growing markets seen in China, India, and Taiwan, according to the Department of Tourism (DoT) on Friday.

DoT Undersecretary Verna Esmeralda C. Buensuceso cited the figure, noting a 4.25% increase in  tourist arrivals compared to last year.

“From January to July this year, the Philippines welcomed approximately 3.7 million international visitors, representing a 4.25% increase in visitor arrivals compared to the same period last year,” Ms. Buensuceso said during the launch of the 4th Travel Sale Expo 2026.

“We are seeing good growth from markets like China at 67%, India at 34%, and Taiwan at 11.21% growth, buoyed in large part by more liberal visa policies,” she added.

The tourism Undersecretary also noted sustained growth trajectories from the country’s traditional foreign markets such as the United States of America, Canada, and Japan, driven by additional flights.

The country is also experiencing double-digit to triple-digit growth in international arrivals from our Southeast Asian peers, such as Indonesia, Vietnam, Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos, and Timor-Leste, due to the ongoing ASEAN Summit 2026 where the Philippines serves as the host country.

“These are encouraging signs, but let me emphasize that our goal is not simply to increase the number of arrivals,” Ms. Buensuceso said.

“Our real goal is to increase the value of tourism. We want tourism to create more jobs, attract more investments, and generate more opportunities that reach communities across the country,” she added.

The tourism industry contributed 8.1% to the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) in 2025, down from 8.7% in the previous year, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). It also employed around 7.70 million Filipinos in 2025.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think the DOT is padding the numbers on tourist arrivals to avoid embarrassment in the near future? Do you think the Philippines will be able to surpass 2025’s 5.9 million foreign tourist count by the end of this year? Do you believe that hosting the ASEAN Summit is actually helping the Philippine attract more tourists from its Southeast Asian neighbors?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @CarloCarrascoPH as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

Japanese Farm And Food Exports Grow 10.9% During First Half Of 2026

Japanese Farm And Food Exports Grow 10.9% During First Half Of 2026

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During the first half of 2026, Japan’s exports of food and farm products grew by a huge 10.9% which is a huge economic achievement for the nation and its government, according to a news report by Kyodo News.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the report of Kyodo News. Some parts in boldface…

Japan’s exports of agricultural, forestry and fishery products and food products in the first half of 2026 rose 10.9 percent from a year earlier to 897.7 billion yen ($5.7 billion), a record high for the period, the government said Tuesday.

Shipments to all of Japan’s top 10 destinations, including the United States and Hong Kong, exceeded year-before levels, pushing the overall total to a new January-June peak for the second straight year.

By product, green tea posted a notable gain, supported by a global matcha boom, with the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries saying that growing inbound tourism has raised overseas awareness of Japanese food.

Rising health consciousness also contributed, while new sales channels expanded at supermarkets and restaurants abroad that had not previously handled Japanese food. But the pace of export growth slowed from 15.5 percent in the first half of 2025.

Among the top 10 destinations by export value, eight countries and regions, apart from second-ranked Hong Kong and third-ranked China, marked first-half records. Exports to Hong Kong increased 3.0 percent, while those to China grew 4.3 percent.

Exports to South Korea rose 20.5 percent, with yellowtail and beer showing solid gains, while those to Vietnam jumped 35.4 percent on strong demand for scallops and mackerel. The United States ranked first, up 15.3 percent to 162.6 billion yen.

Green tea, beef, apples, and sauces and mixed seasonings registered record highs for the January-June period. Green tea surged 83.5 percent to 48.2 billion yen, while yellowtail surged 69.0 percent to 43.4 billion yen.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Considering the massive number of foreign tourists in Japan, are you convinced that the greater awareness of Japanese food somehow contributed to the huge demand (for Japanese products) in countries around the world? How much food and beverages imported from Japan are being offered in your local groceries or convenience stores right now?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @CarloCarrascoPH as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

Philippines Attracts 2.9 Million Foreign Tourists In First Half Of 2026

Philippines Attracts 2.9 Million Foreign Tourists In First Half Of 2026

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For the first half of this year, the Philippines attracted 2.9 million foreign tourists and 1.13 million of that came from the United States and South Korea combined, according to a news report by Business Mirror. The figure does not include the 260,717 overseas Filipinos or balikbayan.

When compared to its Asian neighbors’ first-half foreign tourist numbers, the Philippines is still way behind Vietnam which attracted 12.3 million and Japan which attracted 21 million.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the Business Mirror report. Some parts in boldface…

MORE relaxed visa entry requirements have enabled the Philippines to attract an increasing number of foreign tourists, lifting total visitor arrivals by 5.41 percent in the first half of the year.

Data from the Department of Tourism (DOT) showed 3.16 million inbound tourists from January to June 2026, of which 2.9 million were foreign nationals and 260,717 were overseas Filipinos. The latter are described as Philippine passport holders permanently residing abroad. This year’s arrivals are 76.5 percent of the 4.13 million total in the first half of prepandemic 2019.

The DOT stressed that the data are based on e-travel records provided by the Department of Information and Communications Technology, and are not final until Bureau of Immigration records are taken into account. E-travel registration is mandatory for those arriving in the Philippines except foreign diplomats, dignitaries, foreign government officials and their delegation, visiting business executives and students  sponsored by the Philippine  government or international organizations, and their immediate family members (9e visa).

Of the total foreign nationals, which were up 6.3 percent from the 2.73 million year on year (yoy), tourists from China and India were the most improved by 64.54 percent and 43 percent, respectively. Residents from both countries have been allowed to enter the Philippines visa-free for tourism purposes for 14 days.

The top 12 source markets of visitors for the Philippines all recorded increases, except for South Korea, with long-haul markets like Germany even showing monthly increases yoy, despite the ongoing tensions in the Middle East, which had jacked up jet fuel prices.

S. Korea plunges 13.7% – The United States continues to be the top source market for the Philippines with arrivals at 581,565 in the first half of the year, an increase of some 6.9 percent from the same period in 2025. Most of the market continues to be composed of Americans of Filipino decent, or Filipino immigrants, who visit the Philippines usually during the holiday season in December and January.

Some 300 Filipino-Americans are currently in the country as part of government’s long-running Very Important Pinoy (VIP) tour, and visiting destinations other than Metro Manila such as Cebu, Dumaguete, and Siquijor.

In second place are tourists from South Korea at 552,860, slumping by 13.7 percent, yoy. This was followed by Japan at 581,565 (+6.87 percent); China at 219,796 (+64.54 percent); Australia at 174,257 (+12.3 percent); and Canada at 156,763 (+15.6 percent), another haven of Filipino immigrants. Air Canada began offering direct flights from Vancouver to Manila in April last year, while flag carrier Philippine Airlines offers nonstop flights between Manila and Vancouver, and Toronto.

Tourists from Taiwan were in seventh place at 111,134, an increase of 11.85 percent; folowed by the United Kingdom at 92,829 (+1.7 percent); Singapore at 78,069 (0.35 percent); India at 60,583 (43.03 percent); Malaysia at 53,437 (+11.5 percent); and Germany at 48,657 (+6.9 percent).

Under the General Appropriations Act of 2026, the DOT committed to attract 6.7 million foreign tourists this year.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think the Philippines will be able to attract 6.7 million foreign tourists by the end of this year? What do you think are the three most serious problems the Philippines has when it comes to attracting foreign tourists?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @CarloCarrascoPH as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

Vietnam Sets December 1 Opening For Ambitious Long Thanh International Airport

Vietnam Sets December 1 Opening For Ambitious Long Thanh International Airport

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With large ambitions on tourism and commerce in mind, Vietnam recently announced that the brand-new Long Thanh International Airport will formally be opened for commercial flights on December 1, according to a news report by VnExpress.

Previously, the new international airport was powered up and the local authorities deployed soldiers to help complete the preparations. It is anticipated that most international flights will be handled by Long Thanh International Airport in 2027. During the first half of 2026, Vietnam attracted more than twelve million foreign tourists.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news report of VnExpress. Some parts in boldface…

Vietnam will open its largest airport Long Thanh for commercial flights on Dec. 1 and move most of Ho Chi Minh City’s international traffic there within a year under a newly proposed transition plan.

Long Thanh is the biggest and most expensive airport project in Vietnam’s history, built at a cost of VND336.63 trillion (US$12.8 billion).

Sitting about 40 km east of Ho Chi Minh City, it is built first to relieve the chronically overcrowded Tan Son Nhat, which has run for years beyond its designed capacity.

The Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV), the state operator building Long Thanh, has said it hopes the airport will grow into a regional transit hub able to rival the established gateways in Singapore, Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur, reclaiming the long-haul connecting traffic that now flows through those hubs rather than Vietnam.

Long Thanh opens with capacity for 25 million passengers a year and reaches its full 100-million design ceiling only in later phases still years away. The target will make it surpass Singapore’s Changi, ranked the world’s best airport which handled a record 69.98 million passengers in 2025 and is expanding toward 140 million.

ACV has submitted a plan to split flights between Long Thanh and Tan Son Nhat by region and route distance.

Long Thanh would take all international routes longer than 1,000 km and every cargo flight. Tan Son Nhat would keep shorter international routes flown on Code C jets such as the Airbus A320, A321 and Boeing 737.

Every route to East Asia, West Asia, Oceania and Europe would move to Long Thanh. Southeast Asian routes would be divided roughly 55% to the new airport and 45% to Tan Son Nhat.

The handover would run in three phases pegged to airlines’ seasonal schedules.

From Dec. 1, 2026 to March 27, 2027, Long Thanh would take all long-haul international and cargo flights along with new routes and added HCMC-area frequencies, about 19% of the area’s international passenger volume. Tan Son Nhat would keep its existing routes and open no new international ones.

From March 28 to Oct. 30, 2027, all flights to Europe, the Americas, Oceania, Africa, the Middle East, South Asia and Central Asia would shift to Long Thanh, leaving Tan Son Nhat with its remaining Northeast and Southeast Asian routes.

From Oct. 31, 2027 to March 25, 2028, Long Thanh would handle nearly all international flights, keeping only scheduled sub-1,000 km routes flown by Vietnamese carriers at Tan Son Nhat.

ACV is targeting the transfer of more than 90% of the area’s international passenger traffic to the new airport by 2027.

Domestic flights would stay largely at Tan Son Nhat, though carriers could pick either airport based on demand across all three phases.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Are you convinced that Vietnam could someday attract 30 million foreign tourists by air annually with Long Thanh International Airport at full operation?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @CarloCarrascoPH as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

Vietnam Collects Over $9 Billion From Foreign Tourists In First Half Of 2026

Vietnam Collects Over $9 Billion From Foreign Tourists In First Half Of 2026

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Following its current success on attracting tourists from around the world during the first half of this year, Vietnam raked in $9 billion in the said period, according to a news report by VnExpress.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news report of VnExpress. Some parts in boldface…

Vietnam collected more than US$9 billion from foreign visitors in the first six months, while Vietnamese spent $8 billion abroad in the same period.

The country recorded a tourism trade surplus of $950 million, compared with a surplus of $480 million in 2025 and a deficit of $380 million in 2024, according to the General Statistics Office.

Vietnam’s Party General Secretary and President To Lam, in a meeting with government bodies on Saturday, called for a more detailed analysis of the country’s services trade balance and urged the development of a strategy to rebalance Vietnam’s tourism sector in the coming years.

He said achieving a larger tourism surplus would require upgrading the industry so that international visitors spend more during their stays, while encouraging more Vietnamese travelers to choose domestic destinations.

The country welcomed nearly 12.3 million international visitors in the first six months, up 14.9% year-on-year.

Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Lam Thi Phuong Thanh said the government would continue efforts to develop tourism into a genuine key economic sector.

She said the mutually supportive relationship between tourism and related industries should be strengthened, with the sector shifting from a growth model focused on scale and visitor numbers to one emphasizing quality, higher value-added services, creative products, and distinctive travel experiences.

Vietnam’s tourism industry will also target higher-spending visitors and longer-stay travelers, she added.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? With tourism booming in their country, do you think Vietnam can collect at least $20 billion from foreign tourists by the end of this year?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @CarloCarrascoPH as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

Vietnam Attracts 12.3 Million Foreign Tourists In 1st Half Of 2026

Vietnam Attracts 12.3 Million Foreign Tourists In 1st Half Of 2026

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Tourism in Vietnam continues to boom as the nation attracted more than twelve million foreign tourists in the first half of this year, according to a news report by VnExpress.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news report of VnExpress. Some parts in boldface…

Vietnam received 12.3 million international visitors in the first six months of the year, a 14.9% increase from the same period last year, fueled by the country’s reputation as a safe destination amid global geopolitical uncertainty.

In the second quarter alone, the number of foreign visitors to Vietnam reached 5.49 million, up 18.2% year-on-year, according to the General Statistics Office.

Mainland China remained the largest source of visitors so far this year with 2.69 million, followed by South Korea with 2.1 million. The rest of the top 10 were Russia, Taiwan, the U.S., Cambodia, India, Japan, the Phillippines and Australia.

The Vietnam National Administration of Tourism attributed the strong growth to the country’s reputation as a safe and stable destination amid global political uncertainty.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? What do you think makes Vietnam very attractive to visitors from around the world? Have you thought about visiting Vietnam soon?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @CarloCarrascoPH as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

New Campaign To Boost Domestic Tourism In The Philippines

New Campaign To Boost Domestic Tourism In The Philippines

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In a serious attempt to boost domestic tourism in the Philippines, the Department of Tourism (DOT) has a new campaign titled “Discover More to Love”, according to a news article by the Philippine News Agency (PNA).

This new move by the DOT makes sense since it is very difficult for the nation to attract foreign tourists. The DOT admitted that Vietnam and other destinations of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) are more affordable for foreign travelers.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the PNA news article. Some parts in boldface…

The Department of Tourism (DOT) is leading a new campaign called “Discover More to Love” to boost domestic travel within the Philippines.

Among its major features is the introduction of curated and discounted travel-related packages by local tourism stakeholders, including several hotels from across the country.

In an interview over the weekend, Tourism Secretary Dita Angara-Mathay said the campaign would not replace but instead complement the DOT’s primary tourism branding “Love the Philippines,” with the intention of allowing tourists to define their travel experience in their “own personal way.”

“(The thrust is) local muna pero hopefully, we will expand that to international (The thrust would be initially domestic, but hopefully, we will expand that internationally),” she said.

“The Filipinos love to travel, especially Gen Z and the others, it’s an adventure for them, and we want them to be sound board on what else we can do to improve.”

Domestic travel remains a strong driver of tourism in the Philippines. Last year alone, it generated at least PHP3.26 trillion in tourist spending, up by 3 percent from PHP3.16 trillion in 2024.

Beyond strengthening local travel, Angara-Mathay said the DOT is also stepping up efforts to recover the decrease in Korean travelers, while continuing to woo the rest of its top source markets.

She admitted that the competitive pricing in other Southeast Asian destinations is pulling in more Koreans, which traditionally has been the Philippines’ number one source market for foreign visitors.

“South Korea’s population is declining, but they’re travelers. Ngayon, ‘yong slot natin kinuha ng Vietnam, kinuha ng other ASEAN countries kasi kalahati lang ang kanilang cost to go there (Now, our slot has been taken by Vietnam and other ASEAN countries because it only costs half to go there),” she explained.

The DOT, for its part, she said, would continue engaging stakeholders to introduce and craft new “tour bundles” to make the cost of travel to the Philippines more affordable and “predictable.”

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think the DOT’s new campaign will significant boost domestic tourism which itself has been thriving? Do you think it is possible for domestic tourism spending to reach P4 trillion this year?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @CarloCarrascoPH as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

Vietnam Deploys Hundreds Of Soldiers To Work On New International Airport

Vietnam Deploys Hundreds Of Soldiers To Work On New International Airport

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To ensure the completion of the ambitious Long Thanh International Airport, Vietnam deployed hundreds of soldiers to work on it as a shortfall of workers was realized, according to a VnExpress news article. The new international airport has been scheduled for a December 2026 opening and it has been anticipated to handle most flights in 2027.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news report of VnExpress. Some parts in boldface…

Vietnam has deployed hundreds of soldiers to help build its largest airport, the VND336.63 trillion (US$12.8 billion) Long Thanh, as contractors scramble to cover a shortfall of nearly 2,000 workers before a year-end deadline to open the country’s new aviation hub.

The deployment signals the urgency around a flagship project that has already slipped past its original 2025 opening date.

Hundreds of officers and enlisted soldiers have been brought onto the site in Dong Nai City in the country’s south to reinforce a civilian workforce that has struggled to keep pace with one of Southeast Asia’s biggest construction projects.

The move was confirmed during a June 13 inspection by Construction Minister Tran Hong Minh, who was told by an Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV) representative that more than 76% of the total project value had been completed.

The workforce has been topped up in recent weeks but still falls nearly 2,000 short of the roughly 9,000 workers the site needs, with several units calling in military personnel to bridge the gap.

The labor crunch reflects a wider squeeze in southern Vietnam, where a cluster of megaprojects is competing for the same pool of skilled construction workers.

The nearby Bien Hoa-Vung Tau expressway and the expansion of the Ho Chi Minh City-Long Thanh-Dau Giay expressway are pulling engineers and machine operators away from the airport, and the harsh conditions across the vast, largely open site have made workers hard to retain.

To claw back time before the rainy season, contractors have added engineers, workers and equipment and moved to round-the-clock construction in three shifts and four rotating crews, part of a 180-day campaign to accelerate to the finish.

The airport is now expected to be substantially complete and to begin trial operations in September, with commercial flights targeted for late 2026.

ACV said finishing work on the passenger terminal still lacks skilled technical labor, while other packages are short of machinery operators.

The investor has ordered contractors to staff up for day-and-night work, prioritizing foundation and stone-base work to limit disruption when the rains peak.

At the terminal, which Minh called the project’s “heart,” he urged crews to complete each task definitively, down to the smallest item, and to push outdoor work first to stay ahead of the weather.

The schedule could not slip, he said, and crews had to race against time.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Do you think having hundreds of Vietnamese soldiers will be effective on completing the new international airport ahead of the December 2026 launch?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @CarloCarrascoPH as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

Vietnam’s New International Airport Powers Up For December 2026 Launch

Vietnam’s New International Airport Powers Up For December 2026 Launch

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The ambitious Long Thanh International Airport of Vietnam was recently switched on using the main power supply which is a milestone and already the local authorities are working on a series of preparations needed for the planned December 2026 commercial launch, according to a VnExpress news report. It has been anticipated that the new international airport will handle most flights in 2027.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news report of VnExpress. Some parts in boldface…

Long Thanh airport, the VND336.63 trillion (US$12.8 billion) project set to become Vietnam’s largest, has switched on its main power supply, clearing one of the last big infrastructure hurdles before a planned commercial launch at the end of 2026.

The airport’s project management board said on June 10 it had energized the power system together with the Dong Nai Power Company, feeding electricity from a dedicated 110 kV substation into the receiving station run by Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV), the state-owned developer building the airport about 40 km east of Ho Chi Minh City.

Stable, continuous power is a prerequisite for what comes next: a series of trial runs that will test the terminal, baggage systems and ground operations before passengers arrive. ACV plans three rounds of trial operations in September, October and November, with official commercial service targeted for December 2026.

The milestone caps a frantic stretch of construction. On June 1, ACV launched a 180-day sprint to finish the airport on time, a push that follows years in which the project wrestled with labor shortages, contractor payment delays and volatile material prices. Roughly 76% of the total project by value is now complete, and the most critical pieces are further along. The aircraft apron near the terminal is more than 88% finished, the fuel system more than 92%, and the connecting roads close to 90%. The passenger terminal, the centerpiece, has its main structure up and is about two-thirds of the way through interior work and equipment installation.

The airfield itself is already operational. Long Thanh’s first runway and apron are complete, and the runway received its first calibration flight in September 2025. In December, a Vietnam Airlines Boeing 787 made the first technical landing, followed days later by the first official flight, both treated as symbolic markers of how close the long-delayed project had come.

Power for the site runs through a substation the Dong Nai Power Company inaugurated on Dec. 16, 2025, built for more than VND158 billion ($6 million). It carries two transformers with a combined capacity of 80 MVA and feeds the airport through six separate 22 kV lines, enough to cover a construction site that already consumes about 730,000 kWh a month and will draw far more once systems are powered up for testing. The station is designed to run unmanned, monitored remotely.

Long Thanh is one of Vietnam’s most ambitious infrastructure bets. Spread across roughly 5,000 hectares, the first phase will handle 25 million passengers and 1.2 million tons of cargo a year. Later phases are designed to lift capacity to as much as 100 million passengers annually, which would make it the country’s largest airport by a wide margin and, ACV hopes, a regional transit hub able to compete with the established gateways in Singapore, Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Do you think all the preparations will be completed before the new international airport launches this December? Do you think the new Long Thanh International Airport will be launched on time at the end of this year?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

Note: Cover photo of the Long Thanh International Airport is credited to VnExpress.

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