Vietnam airport operator ACV proposes 5 new int’l routes for Can Tho

Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV), the operator of the country’s civilian airports, met with Can Tho City leaders on Thursday to discuss expanding air connectivity, proposing five new international routes to boost the Mekong Delta city’s tourism and economic growth. Nguyen Quoc Hung, head of ACV’s business and market development, said that before the COVID-19 pandemic in 2019, Can Tho International Airport handled 1.33 million passengers, including 57,000 international travelers. By 2025, passenger numbers dropped to 1.11 million, with no international flights operating. However, international arrivals to Can Tho by land or via domestic connections reached 409,000 in 2019, 445,000 in 2025, and are projected to rise to approximately 605,000 in 2026. To capture this demand, ACV suggested opening direct international flights to five key markets, including South Korea, Malaysia, Thailand, Japan, and China. Currently, Can Tho Airport connects domestically to Hanoi, Da Lat, Da Nang, Hai Phong, Thanh Hoa, Con Dao, and Vinh. Officials emphasized the need to expand routes to other northern and central provinces to make Can Tho more accessible. Sam Long Giang, deputy director of Can Tho’s Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, said the suspension of international flights since the second quarter of 2024 and reduced domestic services have hurt tourism. Giang urged ACV to restore international routes and increase domestic flights to northern and central regions. He added that the southern Vietnamese city planned to organize more large-scale cultural, sports, and tourism events to stimulate travel demand and improve flight efficiency. Truong Canh Tuyen, chairman of the Can Tho administration, called ACV’s proposals ‘very meaningful’ for tourism and aviation development. He revealed that Can Tho plans about 10 overseas missions in 2026 to promote investment and tourism in markets such as South Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Malaysia, China, and Thailand. The city also plans to digitize tourism information, including destinations, restaurants, hotels, and transport, and work with ACV to promote Can Tho’s image at airports nationwide. By Minh Duy & Chi Quoc – Tuoi Tre News – May 15, 2026

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