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The global aviation market has just witnessed a proud milestone for Vietnam as the international organization Skytrax officially announced the ranking of the 100 best airports in the world for 2026. In this list, considered the "Oscars of the aviation industry," the airports under the Vietnam Airports Corporation (ACV) have set new records in terms of ranking. The presence of two exemplary representatives, Noi Bai International Airport and Da Nang International Airport, not only demonstrates breakthroughs in infrastructure but also affirms modern management and operational thinking, approaching the most stringent international standards.
According to a detailed report from Skytrax, Noi Bai International Airport has made an impressive leap, rising to 71st place, an increase of 8 positions from 79th in 2025. This is the eighth time the gateway to Hanoi has been honored to be included in the global top 100, affirming its stable performance and continuous efforts to improve. Notably, at position 71, Noi Bai surpassed many "giants" and renowned air transit hubs such as Beijing Daxing International Airport (China) ranked 82nd and John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York (USA) ranked 85th. In the category of airports serving 30-40 million passengers, Noi Bai became a highlight thanks to its optimized service processes and user experience.
Noi Bai International Airport recorded an impressive leap forward, rising to 71st place, an increase of 8 positions compared to 2025.
Noi Bai's success in 2026 is closely linked to key investment strategies in technology and infrastructure. The biggest highlight is the synchronized implementation of the Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) system at the entrance and exit lanes of terminals T1 and T2, effectively resolving the long-standing problem of localized traffic congestion.
Simultaneously, the T2 international terminal has completed a large-scale expansion project, increasing its capacity from 10 million to 15 million passengers per year. The restructuring of the space and the renovation of the check-in area, making it more spacious and efficient, has helped passengers feel comfortable from the moment they enter the airport. In particular, the implementation of the A-CDM (Air Traffic Management) model has yielded a dual benefit: increasing on-time flight performance while minimizing fuel consumption, moving towards a green and smart airport.
Da Nang International Airport also recorded remarkable progress, climbing 9 places from 84th to 75th in the world rankings. Da Nang's breakthrough stems from maximizing the advantages of technology to improve the speed of administrative procedures and flight operations. The airport's T2 international terminal successfully defended its 5-star Skytrax rating for two consecutive years, a rare achievement for airports in the region.
Passenger satisfaction in Da Nang in 2026 will be elevated to a new level thanks to a smart traffic management system and the thorough application of artificial intelligence (AI) in traffic flow control. Passengers can now interact directly with AI chatbots to receive flight information or use the automated gate system to shorten waiting times.
Da Nang International Airport has made an impressive leap of 9 places, from 84th in 2025 to 75th in the list of the 100 best airports globally in 2026.
Another representative that caused a big surprise was Cam Ranh International Airport. With a focus on standardizing service quality to the highest level, Cam Ranh excellently ranked 6th in the category of the world's cleanest airport in 2026 for airports serving less than 30 million passengers. Focusing on criteria such as environmental hygiene, security, and airport shopping services helped Vietnamese airports score perfectly in the eyes of Skytrax's experts. This ranking is not based on subjective numbers but on the results of surveys on the satisfaction levels of millions of passengers worldwide, spanning from check-in procedures, security checks, transfers, to in-flight amenities.
The continuous improvement in rankings of Vietnam's two major airports, surpassing those of China and the US, is an extremely positive sign for the national tourism industry. It demonstrates that ACV's digital transformation and infrastructure upgrade strategy is on the right track, shifting from a purely infrastructure service provider to a professional customer experience management model. Automated services such as self-check-in kiosks and airport data management software not only optimize staffing but also maximize passenger autonomy throughout their journey.
In the near future, with this growth momentum, the Vietnamese aviation industry expects to continue to place more representatives in higher positions on the Skytrax rankings. Efforts to improve service quality, invest in AI technology, and expand terminals are not only aimed at improving global rankings, but more importantly, at providing convenient, safe, and high-class travel experiences for every passenger arriving in Vietnam. The strong presence of Noi Bai and Da Nang airports in the top 100 best airports in the world is a resounding affirmation of Vietnam's new position on the international civil aviation map.
