Under the MoU, signed in Hanoi on Thursday, the two sides will assess potential cooperation in logistics, air cargo transportation, and supporting infrastructure at the under-construction Gia Binh International Airport, located in the northern city of Bac Ninh and about 40 km from Hanoi.

They plan to establish a joint working group to evaluate feasibility, commercial viability, and regulatory requirements as a basis for potential future projects.

Vietnam will host the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) 2027 forum in November 2027. The event is expected to last for approximately seven days.

In the initial phase, the companies will study value-added logistics models for cargo requiring specialized handling. They will also explore multimodal transport solutions to strengthen connections between Gia Binh airport and regional manufacturing centers, commercial hubs, and potential markets.

Over the medium to long term, MAI and Yamato Transport seek opportunities to develop an airport-linked logistics ecosystem, aiming to position Gia Binh as a regional hub for high-value-added logistics in Southeast Asia.

The partnership is expected to give MAI access to Yamato Transport’s logistics expertise and distribution network in Japan and other Asian markets. Combined with MAI’s aviation infrastructure development capabilities, the two companies aim to explore new logistics models and help build an integrated services ecosystem at the airport.

The agreement comes as Gia Binh International Airport accelerates infrastructure development ahead of APEC 2027 and prepares for commercial operations.

The project's investor, Masterise, is developing operational capabilities, training personnel, and running trial programs for the airport.

The project, managed by the Ministry of Public and Security, has an estimated total investment of more than VND196 trillion ($7.51 billion), with phase one requiring about VND146.2 trillion ($5.6 billion).

By 2030, it is expected to handle 30 million passengers and 1.6 million tons of cargo annually. By 2050, the figures will be 50 million passengers and 2.5 million tons. It will be built to ICAO 4F standards. Total investment comprises equity capital (not less than 15%) and loans. The project has a lifespan of 70 years.

The development will be carried out in two phases. In phase 1, from now to 2027, essential facilities will be completed to serve the APEC Summit in 2027. From 2026 to 2030, remaining Phase 1 works will be finalized to ensure full operational capacity of 30 million passengers and 1.6 million tons of cargo per year.

For Phase 2 (2031-2050), construction will focus on expanding capacity to 50 million passengers and 2.5 million tons of cargo annually.