Sapa Airport (Lao Cai Airport)

Sapa Airport, previously referred as the Lao Cai Airport development, is a proposed airport development by the Vietnamese Ministry of Transport. A land plot in Sapa has been designated for the 4C airport development under a public-private partnership (PPP). The government plans to invest approximately VND5.6 trillion (USD249 million) on the development of a new airport, part of a national strategy to improve access in Northwestern Vietnam. The airport will be developed and expanded under a phased 15-year plan. Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV) plans to complete the first phase of construction works by 2020, opening a new facility capable of handling medium-sized aircraft such as A320s. The first phase will cost approximately VND3.7 trillion (USD165 million) and cover land clearance works, tender processes and terminal construction. In the second and last phase, ACV plans to expand the airport and cover additional infrastructure needs.

Sep-2022. Sapa Airport (Lao Cai Airport) will commence selecting investors to start construction at the end of 2022 and early 2023.

Jan-2021. Vietnam's Deputy Prime Minister Trinh Dinh Dung assigned the Ministry of Planning and Investment to assess the Sapa Airport project and make a submission to the Prime Minister for a decision on investment policy.

Oct-2020. Vietnam's Deputy Prime Minister Trinh Dinh Dung requested Lao Cai's government complete an updated pre-feasibility study for the Sapa Airport project following ministry feedback.

Jun-2020. Lao Cai Province's Government submitted a pre-feasibility study for the Sapa Airport project to Vietnam's Government for approval.

Nov-2019. Vietnam's Government approved plans to develop Sapa Airport in Lao Cai Province's northern highlands. The airport will have an initial capacity of three million passengers p/a. The central government will contribute around 52% of the airport's total investment, estimated to be USD254 million.

May-2019. Civil Aviation Administration of Vietnam (CAAV) called for a the proposed Sapa Airport project in the northern Lao Cai province to be carefully evaluated to ensure the project's feasibility. Under the provincial government's proposal, the VND5.9 trillion (USD251 million) airport will be located across 371 hectares in Bao Yen district's Cam Con commune, with a runway capable of handling A320 and A321 aircraft. 

Aug-2018. Lao Cai Province People's Committee called on Vietnam's Ministry of Transport to consider approving plans for a new VND5.8 billion (USD252 million) airport in Sapa. The proposed airport is projected to handle 560,000 passengers and 600 tonnes of cargo p/a by 2030 and will be capable of handling A320/A321 or equivalent sized aircraft.

May-2016.

10-May-2016. Lao Cai Airport will commence construction on the airport development project in 3Q2016. Phase one of development is estimated to cost around VND4.7 trillion (USD210 million) while phase two will amount to VND5.7 trillion (USD255 million). The airport will feature a 2400m by 45m runway with up to 148m by 23m of apron space.

05-May-2016. Vietnam Ministry of Transportation agreed to develop Lao Cai Airport under the public private partnership (PPP) model, appointing Lao Cai People’s Committee (LCPC) as the supervisor and manager for the project. LCPC will be responsible for drawing up the proposal, acquiring investors and allocating development contracts according to government regulations.

Feb-2016.

29-Feb-2016. Sun Group submitted a proposal to the Ministry of Transportation expressing its interest in developing Lao Cai Airport. 

29-Feb-2016. Vietnam’s Minister of Transport Dinh La Thang approved the adjustments for Lao Cai Airport development plan until 2020, guide to 2030. The airport will be developed according to ICAO’s 4C commercial airport standard and level II military airfield. By 2020, Lao Cai Airport will have a capacity of 560,000 passengers and 600 tonnes of cargo p/a with apron space for two A321 or equivalent. Capacity is expected to rise to 1.5 million passengers and 2880 tonnes by 2030, with three additional apron space and a cargo terminal.

02-Feb-2016. Lao Cai Airport’s consulting agency, MTV Limited Company, submitted a proposal to the Ministry of Transport suggesting the airport development project be built in Cam Con Commune, Bao Yen District.

Jan-2016. Vietnam’s Government intends to accelerate Lai Chau Province Airport and Lao Cai Airport’s development projects, and upgrade Dien Bien Phu Airport and Na San Airport. Deputy PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc urged the Ministry of Transport, Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Planning and Investment to prioritise these projects between 2015 and 2020. The government is expected to invest VND5826 billion (USD259 million) on the four projects during the five year period.