Cần Thơ Airport: All You Need To Know

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Can Tho International Airport, formerly known as Tra Noc Airport, is an airport located in Can Tho, in the Mekong Delta region of Vietnam. The airport was inaugurated on January 1, 2011, and is capable of processing up to 5 million passengers per year. Can Tho Airport serves as a convenient travel hub for those visiting the Mekong Delta region, offering both domestic and international flights.

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Can Tho International Airport history

Can Tho International Airport, formerly known as Trà Nóc Airport, is an airport located in Can Tho, in the Mekong Delta region of Vietnam. The airport is managed and operated by the Airports Corporation of Vietnam and serves as a significant gateway to the Mekong Delta region, boosting its economy and facilitating international integration.

The history of Can Tho International Airport dates back to the Vietnam War. Trà Nóc Airport was originally constructed in 1965 by United States Air Force (USAF) civil engineering units as a military airfield, which became known as Binh Thuy Air Base. During the war, it served as a base for the USAF and the Headquarters of the Republic of Vietnam Air Force (VNAF) 4th Air Division until 1975. In April 1969, the VAL-4 Light Attack Squadron commenced combat operations, providing air support for the Mobile Riverine Force in the Mekong Delta.

After 1975, the airport was initially unused. However, it later resumed operations as a small regional airport for Can Tho. The facility underwent significant expansion and upgrades starting in 2005 to attain international status. The expansion work was carried out in two phases, covering an area of 85.04 hectares. Phase 1 included improvements to the runway and apron, enabling the airport to accommodate medium-range aircraft such as the Airbus A320, A321, and the Boeing 767. Phase 2 involved the construction of a new terminal, cargo terminal, and other facilities, enhancing the airport's capacity to serve millions of passengers annually.

The renovation and expansion process concluded with the inauguration of Can Tho International Airport on January 1, 2011. The airport currently operates domestic flights within Vietnam and international flights to destinations like Seoul and Taipei. It is conveniently located just over 7 kilometers from Can Tho's city center, making it a popular choice for travellers exploring the Mekong Delta region and its attractions.

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Airport location and transport options

Can Tho International Airport is located in Can Tho, in the Mekong Delta region of Vietnam. It is about 7 kilometres from Can Tho city centre, with a travel time of around 13 minutes. The airport is conveniently located for those travelling from distant provinces such as Hanoi and Da Nang.

The airport was previously known as Tra Noc Airport, and it is the only international airport in the Mekong Delta region. It was inaugurated on 1 January 2011, with a passenger terminal covering an area of 20,750 square metres. The airport was built on 223,400 square feet of land with a capacity to process up to 5 million passengers a year.

Can Tho Airport primarily operates domestic flights, connecting the Mekong Delta region with the Southeast, Central, and Northern regions of Vietnam. However, it also offers international flights to destinations such as Seoul and Taipei.

Transport Options

There are several transport options for travelling to and from Can Tho International Airport. Taxis are a common mode of transportation, with various companies operating at the airport, including Mai Linh Can Tho, Mekong Can Tho, and Vinasun Can Tho. Taxi fares typically range from 12,000 to 15,000 VND per kilometre. Motorcycle taxis, or "xe om," are also available and offer a more cost-effective option, but passengers may need to walk a short distance from the airport to find these services. It is recommended to negotiate the fare in advance.

Buses are the most budget-friendly option, with fares starting at 5,000 VND. Several bus routes depart from the airport, including services to the city centre, Phong Dien town, and Ô Môn.

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Airlines and aircraft

Can Tho International Airport, formerly known as Trà Nóc Airport, is located in Can Tho, in the Mekong Delta region of Vietnam. The airport was inaugurated on January 1, 2011, with an investment of US$150 million for its construction on 20,750 square meters of land. It aimed to process up to 5 million passengers annually.

Trà Nóc Airport was originally constructed during the Vietnam War in 1965 by the United States Air Force (USAF) civil engineering units as a military airfield, which became Binh Thuy Air Base. After 1975, the facility was initially unused, later serving as a small regional airport for Can Tho. In 2005, the airport underwent renovation and expansion to become Can Tho International Airport, officially opening on January 1, 2011.

The expansion work of Trà Nóc Airport started on January 4, 2006 and was carried out in two phases. Phase 1 included improvements to the runway and apron, enabling the airport to handle medium-range aircraft such as the Airbus A320, A321, and Boeing 767. Phase 2 involved the construction of a new terminal, cargo terminal, and other facilities, increasing the overall capacity to 2 million passengers per year.

As of April 2025, two airlines operate from Can Tho International Airport: VietJet Air and Vietnam Airlines. The airport offers flights to 7 destinations, with the route to Hanoi being the most popular, accounting for 50% of all weekly departures. The longest flight time from Can Tho is to Hanoi, taking approximately 2 hours and 10 minutes with an Airbus A321.

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Renovation and expansion

Can Tho International Airport, formerly known as Tra Noc Airport, is located in Can Tho, in the Mekong Delta region of Vietnam. The airport was inaugurated on January 1, 2011, with an investment of US$150 million to build on 20,750 square meters of land. The airport aimed to process up to 5 million passengers annually and boost the Mekong Delta's economy, security, defence, and international integration.

The history of the airport dates back to the Vietnam War in 1965 when the United States Air Force (USAF) civil engineering units constructed Tra Noc Airport as a military airfield, known as Binh Thuy Air Base. After 1975, the facility remained unused before operating as a small regional airport for Can Tho.

In 2005, the airport, now known as Can Tho Airport, underwent renovation and upgrades to achieve international status. The expansion work started on January 4, 2006, and was carried out in two phases. Phase 1 focused on improving the runway and apron, enabling the airport to handle medium-range aircraft like the Airbus A320, A321, and Boeing 767. This phase was completed in 2008 at a cost of approximately $23 million.

Phase 2 of the expansion project involved the construction of a new terminal, cargo terminal, and other facilities. This phase had an estimated cost of $25 to $31 million. The new terminal has a capacity of 2 million passengers per year. Despite these improvements, the airport is operating at a loss, serving only 20% of its designed capacity.

Can Tho International Airport primarily operates domestic flights within Vietnam but also offers international routes to destinations such as Seoul and Taipei. It is conveniently located just over 7 kilometers from Can Tho city center, making it easily accessible to passengers.

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Nearby attractions

Can Tho is a significant tourist destination in the Mekong Delta region. The area boasts vibrant culture and natural beauty. Here are some popular nearby attractions:

  • Cai Rang Floating Market: Discover the unique boat life and explore the local culture through the Emagazine.
  • Mekong Delta: Immerse yourself in the vibrant culture, wild nature, and unique learning experiences that the region has to offer.
  • Can Tho City Centre: Just over 7 kilometres from the airport, the city centre is easily accessible by taxi, motorcycle taxi, or bus.

These attractions offer a diverse range of experiences, from cultural insights to natural exploration. The airport's convenient location makes it an ideal starting point for discovering the beauty of Can Tho and its surroundings in the Mekong Delta region of Vietnam.

Frequently asked questions

Can Tho Airport is located in the Mekong Delta region of Southwestern Vietnam. It is around 7 kilometres from Can Tho city centre.

The airport was originally constructed during the Vietnam War in 1965 by the United States Air Force as a military airfield. It was known as Binh Thuy Air Base and was used by the USAF and the Republic of Vietnam Air Force. After 1975, the facility was unused for a period before operating as a small regional airport. It was renamed Can Tho Airport after reunification and came under the management of the Ministry of Defence. Starting in 2005, the airport underwent renovations and expansions to become Can Tho International Airport, which opened on 1 January 2011.

As of April 2025, there are 2 airlines operating from Can Tho Airport: VietJet Air and Vietnam Airlines.

Can Tho Airport primarily operates domestic flights within Vietnam, connecting the Mekong Delta region with the Southeast, Central, and Northern regions of the country. It also offers international flights to destinations such as Seoul and Taipei.

Taxis are a common and convenient mode of transportation from the airport to the city centre. Several taxi companies operate at the airport, with fares typically ranging from 12,000 to 15,000 VND per kilometre. Motorcycle taxis, known as "xe om," are a cost-effective alternative, but passengers may need to walk a short distance from the airport to find these services. It is recommended to negotiate the fare in advance. Buses are the most budget-friendly option, with fares starting at 5,000 VND.

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