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Nearly a year after being closed for renovation and upgrades, Lien Khuong International Airport in Lam Dong province is entering its final stages before officially reopening to passengers. Vietnam Airlines is the first airline to announce a specific flight schedule, with August 19th being the expected date for operating direct flights, immediately after the airport reopening plan is officially approved by the competent authorities.
According to an announcement from Vietnam Airlines, the airline will operate a total of six round-trip flights per day to Lien Khuong using Airbus A321 aircraft. The Ho Chi Minh City - Lien Khuong route will have the highest frequency with three round-trip flights per day, reflecting the high demand from this southern transportation hub. The Hanoi - Lien Khuong route will maintain two round-trip flights per day, while the Da Nang - Lien Khuong route will have one round-trip flight, meeting the needs from Central Vietnam.
Lien Khuong International Airport is expected to resume operations from 00:00 on August 19, 2026.
Previously, the Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV) sent a document to all five domestic airlines, including Vietnam Airlines, Vietjet Air, Bamboo Airways, Vietravel Airlines, and Pacific Airlines, requesting them to urgently prepare commercial and operational plans to reopen the route to Lien Khuong. This means that when the airport is fully operational, passengers will have more choices in terms of time slots, prices, and services instead of being dependent on a single airline as before.
Lien Khuong is not just an ordinary provincial airport. It is the only air gateway for the entire Southern Central Highlands region, serving not only Lam Dong province but also indirectly connecting neighboring provinces such as Dak Nong and Dak Lak when air travel demand increases.
With Da Lat – a tourist city located at an altitude of 1,500 meters, about 300 km by road from Ho Chi Minh City – air travel is the optimal choice in terms of both time and comfort, especially for groups with short itineraries or business travelers.
The planned reopening of Lien Khuong Airport is expected to help restore air connectivity between Da Lat and Lam Dong province.
During the airport closure, travelers were forced to accept one of two less convenient options: either travel entirely by road, a journey of 6 to 7 hours from Ho Chi Minh City, or fly to Cam Ranh Airport in Khanh Hoa and then travel another 2.5 hours by road to Da Lat. Both options significantly impacted the actual time spent at the destination, especially for trips lasting only 2 to 3 days.
Da Lat is a domestic destination with a stable number of visitors year-round thanks to its cool climate at an altitude of 1,500 meters.
The reopening of Lien Khuong Airport comes at a significant time for Lam Dong's tourism industry. Da Lat is undergoing urban renovation and upgrading of tourism infrastructure, including the improvement of several inner-city roads, central areas, and tourist attractions. With the airport reopening, the overall connectivity infrastructure of this destination is in a better state than before the investment phase began.
Da Lat remains one of the most consistently popular domestic destinations in Vietnam throughout the year, thanks to its cool climate with average temperatures ranging from 15 to 25 degrees Celsius – an advantage almost unmatched by any other destination in the South. The city attracts families, couples, and solo travelers alike due to its diverse experiences: from flower gardens, waterfalls, and tea plantations to distinctive street food and a series of cafes with unique architectural styles.
