Airport in Vietnam’s Lam Dong, home to Da Lat, to close for nearly 6 months for upgrade

Vietnam Airlines will suspend all flights to and from Da Lat during Lien Khuong Airport’s temporary closure while enhancing nearby route frequencies to maintain connectivity. Passengers can change travel dates for free or request refunds until August 31. The closure shifts tourist traffic from air to road, straining local transport infrastructure.

Following the announcement, Vietnam Airlines confirmed on Wednesday that it will suspend all flights to and from Da Lat during the temporary closure of Lien Khuong Airport, while adjusting its network to maintain regional connectivity.

To support passenger demand, the national carrier will increase frequencies on nearby routes, including Ho Chi Minh City-Buon Ma Thuot, Ho Chi Minh City-Pleiku, and Da Nang-Buon Ma Thuot, offering alternative access points to Lam Dong Province.

Passengers holding tickets for travel to or from Lien Khuong Airport between March 4 and August 25 will be entitled to one free change of travel date or itinerary. Refunds will also be available until August 31, according to the airline.

Other domestic carriers, including Vietjet Air and Bamboo Airways, along with several international airlines from South Korea, Thailand, and Malaysia, are expected to suspend or reroute affected services.

During the closure period, travelers may opt to fly to Cam Ranh International Airport in neighboring Khanh Hoa Province and continue to Da Lat by road. Those departing from Ho Chi Minh City can also travel via National Highway 20 through Bao Loc, or take the Ho Chi Minh City-Long Thanh-Dau Giay Expressway connected to the Vinh Hao-Phan Thiet Expressway before exiting at the Dai Ninh interchange to access National Highway 28B.

The temporary shutdown is likely to shift a significant portion of tourist traffic from air to road, placing additional pressure on transport infrastructure in the Central Highlands during the summer peak season.

Lien Khuong Airport was upgraded to international status in June 2024, becoming the first international airport in the Central Highlands. Classified as a 4E facility, it has a design capacity of five million passengers annually. Its last major renovation took place between 2003 and 2007, when infrastructure improvements enabled operations of Airbus A320 and A321 aircraft.