Long Thanh Airport to District 1: Distance, Travel Time and Transport in 2026

The trip from Long Thanh Airport to District 1 covers roughly 43 kilometers along the HCMC-Long Thanh-Dau Giay Expressway, with a normal travel time of 60 to 90 minutes by car. Hit the late afternoon rush, throw in one of those sudden monsoon downpours that arrive between May and October, and the journey can easily stretch past two hours.

Vietnam’s largest aviation project conducted its first technical flight on December 19, 2025. As of the May 2026 government directive, commercial operations are now targeted for the fourth quarter of 2026, after earlier plans for a June 2026 launch slipped due to construction and human-resource constraints. If you are flying into Saigon any time after Q4 2026, this is most likely the airport you will land at, not Tan Son Nhat.

What follows is the practical breakdown: exact distance, current transport options, real travel times in different conditions, and a few things first-time visitors tend to miss.

How far is Long Thanh Airport from District 1?

Long Thanh International Airport sits in Long Thanh District of Dong Nai Province, about 40 to 46 kilometers east of central Ho Chi Minh City depending on where in District 1 you are heading. Government planning documents and academic sources from the Vietnamese-German Transport Research Centre place the standard reference at 43 kilometers measured from the District 1 core.

For comparison, Tan Son Nhat International Airport sits only 6 to 8 kilometers from District 1. The move to Long Thanh introduces a roughly six-fold jump in airport-to-city distance, even though Long Thanh is targeted to handle 80 percent of international flights once operational, with Tan Son Nhat retaining 90 percent of domestic traffic.

When does Long Thanh Airport open for commercial flights?

Phase 1 was originally planned to launch in June 2026. The May 2026 government directive officially pushed the deadline to the fourth quarter of 2026. The first phase covers a 4,000-metre runway (completed April 2025), one passenger terminal, and an initial capacity of 25 million passengers per year. Total phase 1 investment runs at about 109,000 billion VND, equivalent to roughly 4.6 billion USD.

Once open, Long Thanh will absorb most long-haul international routes from Europe, the Middle East, India and North America, with North-East Asia following by 2027. Tan Son Nhat will continue serving domestic and short-haul regional flights within Southeast Asia. Practically speaking, any flight longer than 1,000 kilometers will eventually shift to Long Thanh.

Routes from Long Thanh Airport to District 1

The HCMC-Long Thanh-Dau Giay Expressway (CT01) remains the primary artery between Long Thanh District and central Ho Chi Minh City. Two airport access roads, T1 and T2, with total investment of 2,600 billion VND and construction commenced in July 2023, now connect the new terminal to National Highway 51 and the expressway system; both are essentially complete and ready to operate alongside the airport.

For drivers heading into District 1, the standard route is: Long Thanh airport access road, then National Highway 51, onto the HCMC-Long Thanh-Dau Giay Expressway, exit at An Phu Junction in District 2, onto Mai Chi Tho Boulevard, cross the Saigon River via the Thu Thiem Tunnel, and you are inside District 1 within minutes of the city center.

The most significant future change is the Thu Thiem-Long Thanh urban railway, a 42-kilometer line with 20 stations and a designed speed of 120 km/h, projected to cut airport-to-Thu Thiem travel time to just 20 to 25 minutes. Total investment is projected at around 3.4 billion USD. Construction has been flagged as urgent by the central government, but as of mid-2026 the line remains in pre-feasibility.

Transport options from Long Thanh Airport to District 1

Costs above are estimates for the initial operating period and tend to settle within the first six months after a new airport opens.

Private airport transfer

Pre-booked transfers from licensed operators quote between 28 USD for a 4-seat sedan and 95 USD for a 29-seat coach. The advantage is fixed pricing, a driver holding a sign with your name at arrivals, and no haggling after a long flight. For families with children or anyone arriving on a red-eye, this is the lowest-friction option.

Taxi and ride-hailing

Official taxi ranks operate at the terminal, with Vinasun and Mai Linh being the two most established companies. Insist on the meter, and never agree to a flat fare without seeing it written. Ride-hailing apps work the same way they do in any Vietnamese city, provided you have a local SIM or eSIM activated before customs. Xanh SM is the all-electric Vietnamese option that has become popular in HCMC, sitting alongside Grab and Be.

Public bus

HCMC authorities have approved a plan to launch seven new bus routes connecting Long Thanh Airport with major transport hubs, including Tan Son Nhat Airport, the Eastern Bus Station, Saigon Bus Station, and surrounding economic zones. Frequency and exact routing for the central District 1 connection are still being finalised. Bus travel runs 90 to 120 minutes one-way, which makes it unsuitable for anyone carrying heavy luggage or working with a tight schedule.

Future rail (Thu Thiem-Long Thanh)

The Thu Thiem-Long Thanh urban rail line is the single biggest piece of infrastructure that will eventually transform this trip. Until it opens, road transport remains the only realistic option.

What to expect during the journey

The route starts through industrial zones around Long Thanh District, climbs onto the expressway with open countryside views on either side, then runs at highway speeds for most of the distance. The slowdown happens at the city edge: An Phu Junction in District 2 is a known chokepoint, especially between 4:30 and 7:30 PM. From the Thu Thiem Tunnel onward, you are inside District 1 within minutes.

If your flight arrives between May and October, a sudden monsoon downpour can hit anywhere along the expressway. They usually clear in 30 to 45 minutes but add 15 to 30 minutes of slower driving. Late-night arrivals after 10 PM tend to be the fastest, often well under an hour. The newest stretch of road feels noticeably smoother than the older sections closer to the city, a small detail most travelers do not register until they have made the trip both ways.

Tips for first-time visitors

Activate a Vietnamese eSIM before you leave home so ride-hailing apps work the moment you land; Vietravel, MobiFone Tourist, and Klook all sell short-term plans starting around 5 to 10 USD. If you are staying at a District 1 hotel for two nights or more, ask whether complimentary airport transfer is included. Several boutique hotels in Ben Thanh and Nguyen Thai Binh wards build this into multi-night direct-booking stays. Cash is rarely needed for taxis or transfers anymore, but it helps for tips at the terminal and small kiosks before you reach the hotel.

Frequently asked questions

How many kilometers is Long Thanh Airport from District 1?

Long Thanh Airport is approximately 43 kilometers from District 1 of Ho Chi Minh City, measured from the city center along the HCMC-Long Thanh-Dau Giay Expressway. The exact figure ranges from 40 to 46 kilometers depending on your precise destination within District 1 and the route taken. Government planning documents and academic sources both place the standard reference at 43 km.

How long does it take to get from Long Thanh Airport to District 1?

The journey takes 60 to 90 minutes by car or taxi under normal traffic conditions. During weekday rush hours from 7:00 to 9:00 AM and 4:30 to 7:30 PM, travel time can extend to 90 to 120 minutes. Late-night arrivals after 10 PM often reach District 1 in under 60 minutes due to lighter traffic on the expressway.

Is Long Thanh Airport operational yet in 2026?

Long Thanh Airport conducted its first technical flight on December 19, 2025, but full commercial operations have been pushed to the fourth quarter of 2026 according to the May 2026 government directive. Until then, all international and domestic flights to Ho Chi Minh City continue to use Tan Son Nhat International Airport, located 6 to 8 kilometers from District 1.

Which transport option is best from Long Thanh Airport to District 1?

A pre-booked private airport transfer is generally the best choice for first-time visitors, families and business travelers, costing between 28 and 95 USD depending on vehicle size. Ride-hailing apps such as Grab and Xanh SM offer the most flexibility for solo travelers with a local SIM. Public buses are the cheapest but slowest at 90 to 120 minutes one-way.

Will there be a metro or train link to Long Thanh Airport?

Yes, the Thu Thiem-Long Thanh urban railway is planned as a 42-kilometer line with 20 stations, designed for 120 km/h speeds and a 20 to 25 minute end-to-end ride. Total investment is estimated at 3.4 billion USD. Construction has been flagged as urgent by central government, but the line remains in pre-feasibility as of mid-2026.

How much does a taxi cost from Long Thanh Airport to District 1?

A metered taxi from Long Thanh Airport to District 1 typically costs between 400,000 and 600,000 VND, approximately 16 to 24 USD one-way, depending on traffic and route. Ride-hailing apps like Grab tend to come in slightly lower at 350,000 to 500,000 VND. Pre-booked private transfers offer fixed pricing starting around 28 USD and remove the risk of meter disputes after a long flight.

Where to stay in District 1 after the airport ride

Once you clear that 60 to 90 minute drive, District 1 itself is built for unwinding. The neighborhood around Le Loi Street and Ben Thanh Market is the traditional first base for anyone landing in Ho Chi Minh City. Metro Line 1 terminus is here, the major sightseeing landmarks sit within walking distance, and you can drop your bags then be inside a cafe with a Vietnamese iced coffee within ten minutes.

Silverland Ben Thanh Hotel sits at 14-16 Le Lai Street, directly across from Ben Thanh Market and a single step from the Metro Line 1 terminus. It is a 4-star luxury boutique under Silverland Hospitality, a Saigon-grown group with more than two decades of local hotel experience. Guests booking two nights or more directly through the hotel website receive complimentary airport transfer (one-way for two-night stays, two-way for three-night stays), so the long Long Thanh-to-District 1 trip is handled before you even land. Daily complimentary afternoon tea on the 12th floor rooftop, a panoramic pool overlooking Ben Thanh Market and the Bitexco skyline, and Smith’s Kitchen & Bar round out a stay that turns the long arrival drive into a quiet, well-marked finish line. To book directly or check the latest airport transfer policy as Long Thanh becomes operational, visit https://silverlandhotels.com/silverland-ben-thanh-hotel/.