According to Mr Phan Duc Hieu, the benefits of the airport not only stop at the economic efficiency of the airport, which is a loss or a profit, but also indirect benefits and benefits from economic development. - society. Therefore, when deciding to add to the master plan or make a decision to approve an investment policy, the competent authorities should look more broadly at the potential benefits of socio-economic development instead of limiting it in a particular project.

Mr Phan Duc Hieu

Dear Sir, currently, many localities are proposing to build airports. How do you assess this situation?

The proposal of localities is a legitimate need with the desire for local development and must be respected. However, like Lao Cai province, many leaders in their offices have worried about investing in constructing an airport to develop the province, connect with the whole region, and connect internationally.

However, the decision to build or not must go through a scientific, systematic and long-term appraisal process. Localities can consult aviation experts and investors to build airport clusters early. Even localities with airports located close distances will cooperate in developing plans to support the development together. The more carefully calculated, the fewer errors.

From international lessons, we see that the benefits of the airport not only stop the airport efficiency from making losses or profits but also have direct and indirect benefits and socio-economic development. Therefore, I think that to evaluate airport development, it is necessary to look at the overall benefits, potential benefits and other social issues (storms and floods, support).

In your opinion, what are the criteria for choosing to build airports in the localities?

The criteria for airport selection are available, but I want all issues to be transparent and fair, avoiding resentment when one locality can but another cannot. There should be criteria for prioritization. And the planning also needs to be approved soon so localities can base it on that to implement their needs.

In my opinion, it is advisable to calculate how to have a clear and detailed exploration and investment plan model. Then, it is possible to consult aviation experts and investors to build airport clusters early. Localities with airports can sit down to consult and discuss carefully because airports have different markets and complementary markets.

In addition, the socio-economic development plan for the development of the local airport is also an important issue. There are two problems to be solved; the first is the problem of local needs, and the second is the overall problem of national planning.

In the future, how should investment in airports be implemented in localities, Sir?

In addition to local efforts, the country also needs to have favourable policies for early exploitation and development opportunities of small airports when taking advantage of small and electric-powered aircraft in the future.

Currently, many "pearls" have not had the full opportunity to shine on the tourist map of Vietnam, stretching from the top of the country to the southernmost tip of the country. On the other hand, many famous domestic and foreign travel advice sites and many famous experience people have named a series of attractive destinations, many scenic spots, historical places located in remote areas, not yet connected to the highway, airway and railway networks.

Accordingly, it can be mentioned here that Phu Quoc Pearl Island, within the past decade, since the international airport here officially came into operation, from the image of a poor island district in 2010, now it has become a bustling, modern and developed island city. Therefore, this image suggests a lot about aviation's role in this locality's socio-economic development.

Or like the story of Ha Giang, according to experts, in the context that investing in highways connecting this locality with the capital had a huge cost; the construction period lasts decades, and investment immediately in an airport of reasonable size with the cost of only a few dozen kilometres of highway can bring a huge boost in attracting investment, awakening potentials and advantages of tourism.

Similar stories will not be difficult to find in the northern mountainous areas, the Central Highlands or the Mekong Delta.

Thank Sir!'