Vietnam adds gateway

Vietnam upgraded Can Tho Airport in Can Tho City, to international status, 1 January, giving visitors direct access to tourist attractions in the Mekong River delta region.Declared the country’s fourth international airport, it joins aviation gateways in Hanoi (North), Ho Chi Minh City (South) and Danang in central Vietnam.

The airport is located on the outskirts of Can Tho City, a busy commercial hub in southern Vietnam’s Mekong delta region, 169 km from Ho Chi Minh City. The town’s main tourist attractions are floating markets located in surrounding districts, the most famous being Cai Rang, 8 km from town.The city’s  airport covers 20,750 sq metres and can accommodate up to 5 million passengers and long-haul aircraft such as the B777-300 and B747-400.

Previously known as Trà Nóc Airport, the upgrade started in 2005 at a cost of US$150 million, with 50% of the investment sourced from Vietnam Airlines and the rest from a development fund.The first stage was completed in 2009 and resulted in the facility handling 500,000 passengers,  a growth rate of 39% compared with airport’s pre-upgade performance.

Source=ttrweekly