Sun Group proposes to sponsor Master plan for Con Dao airport expansion

In the document sent to the Ministry, Sun Group cited the approved master plan for the development of the Con Dao National Tourism Area, which sets a goal for Con Dao to become a high-quality marine, cultural, historical, and spiritual ecotourism destination by 2030, with an annual target of approximately 300,000 visitors, 40% of whom are expected to be international tourists.
However, according to statistics from Ba Ria - Vung Tau province, in 2020, Con Dao welcomed over 323,000 visitors, and in 2021, more than 523,000 visitors. This means that the number of visitors has already exceeded the target by more than 60%, nearly 10 years ahead of schedule.
Currently, transportation to Con Dao remains challenging due to limited infrastructure. While the high-speed ferry system has improved accessibility, it still faces frequent disruptions due to adverse weather conditions.



At the same time, Con Dao Airport can only accommodate small aircraft such as the ATR-72, limiting it to short-haul domestic flights. The airport’s infrastructure is deteriorating, the runway is short, and it lacks night flight capability, significantly restricting the number of flights.
To address these issues, Sun Group has proposed a study to upgrade and expand Con Dao Airport — extending the runway to meet ICAO 4E standards, increasing the airport’s capacity to 2 million passengers per year by 2030. The upgrade would enable the airport to handle larger wide-body aircraft such as the A320, A321, A350, and Boeing 787, and receive international flights from Northeast Asia (Japan, South Korea), as well as certain European and American markets.
Additionally, Con Dao Airport also plays an important role in national defense and security, serving military aircraft.
“To enhance the operational efficiency of Con Dao Airport, unlock the island’s full potential, and align with Government policy, we believe it is essential to accelerate the investment and construction of the airport expansion project to attract major investors to the province,” the proposal from Sun Group stated.
Accordingly, Sun Group is seeking approval from the Ministry of Construction to sponsor the master plan for Con Dao Airport for the period 2021-2030, with a vision to 2050.
Sun Group has committed to covering all costs related to research, planning documentation, and public disclosure of the master plan in accordance with Decree No. 05/2021/ND-CP dated January 25, 2021, on the management and operation of airports, and in compliance with all relevant legal regulations.
"Sun Group affirms that this sponsorship is entirely voluntary, unconditional, and will not compromise community interests or transparency in the planning, appraisal, and approval processes," the company stated.