Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has approved a project to expand Dien Bien Airport in the northern province of Dien Bien. 

An aircraft of the national flag carrier Viet Nam Airlines
seen at the Dien Bien Airport

The VND1,547 billion project will enhance the airport’s capacity to half a million passengers a year and enable it to receive aircraft like the Airbus A321, Airbus A320 and equivalants.

The project will be implemented in 34 months and funded by the Airport Corporation of Viet Nam (ACV).

The Government chief tasked the Ministry of Planning and Investment to be responsible for appraisal, supervision and evaluation of the expansion project in accordance with the current regulations.

Built in 1954, the Dien Bien Airport currently has one runway that can only handle the ATR72 and smaller aircraft. 

Its current passenger handling capacity is 0.3 million per year./.