VietNamNet Bridge – Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has approved the construction of an international airport in Van Don District in Quang Ninh province, at a cost of VND5 trillion ($238 million).

The Prime Minister assigned Quang Ninh authorities to coordinate with the joint venture company of the South Korean Airport Corporation, Joinus Vietnam Co., Ltd. and Posco E & C Co., Ltd. to make a feasibility study of the project under the BOT form (Build - Operate - Transfer).

The Ministry of Planning and Investment, Ministry of Transportation, Ministry of Defense and related agencies will join hands to consider the project and choose the investor.

According to the plan, the project will have similar standards and size as the one on Phu Quoc Island in Kien Giang province.

The airport will be used for civil and military purposes and be capable of serving both domestic and foreign flights. It is designed to receive 5 million passengers a year and accommodate large aircraft like Boeing 777s.

It will be built in Doan Ket commune, Van Don district, covering nearly 284.6ha and at a total cost of VND5,128 billion. This is one of the key projects of the Van Don economic zone.

The Van Don economic zone is expected to bring a fresh impetus to socio-economic development in Quang Ninh province.

Covering more than 2,000km2, including over 1,600km2 of coastal areas, the zone will focus on developing luxury travel services,  international finance and trading centers, trade exchanges and logistics, and maritime and aviation services, along with clean agriculture and industry.

Quang Ninh has proposed building Van Don into a special administrative-economic zone to make a breakthrough in its development.

At an investment promotion conference in 2012, the province has also announced a plan to build an integrated casino resort in Van Don.

Na Son