VietnamWavingExplore · Understand · Connect
Explore
Airport guide

Tho Xuan International Airport

Tho Xuan Airport is Thanh Hoa's operating civil-military airport at Sao Vang. Civil aviation began in 2013. Its current passenger terminal, opened in 2016 and refurbished in 2025, has design capacity of 1.2 million passengers per year and can be expanded toward 2 million. The airport has one 3,200 m × 50 m runway and six civil aircraft parking positions. Vietnam's adjusted national airport-system plan approved in July 2026 places Tho Xuan in the international-airport network with a long-term Code 4E role and about 7 million passengers per year. Thanh Hoa's 2026–2030 investment programme separately targets infrastructure expansion toward about 5 million passengers per year by 2030.

THD
Overview

Understand the airport as a journey, a gateway and a regional transport system.

Tho Xuan Airport is Thanh Hoa's aviation gateway and a joint civil-military facility developed from Sao Vang military airfield. ACV states that civil aviation began on 5 February 2013. The current passenger terminal entered service in 2016 with design capacity of 1.2 million passengers per year. A major refurbishment completed on 30 June 2025 expanded check-in space, increased equipped check-in counters from 10 to 14, added a third boarding gate and upgraded baggage, security, air-conditioning, fire-protection and passenger-information systems. The current runway is 3,200 m × 50 m. In planning terms, the airport is transitioning toward a larger role: the July 2026 national airport-system adjustment includes Tho Xuan among Vietnam's international airports and identifies a long-term Code 4E scale of about 7 million passengers per year, while Thanh Hoa's 2026–2030 investment programme identifies expansion toward about 5 million passengers per year by 2030. Current operations, construction or investment targets and long-term planning must remain clearly separated.

Key things to understand

  • Tho Xuan is Thanh Hoa's operating air gateway and a joint civil-military airport.
  • Civil aviation operations began in February 2013.
  • The current runway is 3,200 m × 50 m.
  • The passenger terminal has design capacity of 1.2 million passengers per year and expansion potential toward 2 million.
  • The 2025 refurbishment expanded check-in space, increased check-in counters to 14 and boarding gates to three.
  • The civil apron has six aircraft parking positions.
  • Thanh Hoa targets infrastructure expansion toward approximately 5 million passengers per year by 2030.
  • The July 2026 national airport-system adjustment includes Tho Xuan in the international-airport network.
  • The newer long-term national planning scale is approximately 7 million passengers per year and Code 4E.
Why it matters

Read the airport as a system, not just a terminal

Strategic role

Tho Xuan gives Thanh Hoa its own long-distance aviation gateway.

What makes it distinctive

An operating civil-military airport transitioning from a compact domestic facility toward a planned international Code 4E role.

What users often miss

Current operations, the 5-million 2030 target, the 7-million long-term national plan and the older 20-million 2050 airport plan are different layers.

In one sentence

Thanh Hoa’s operating airport: a 3.2 km runway and refurbished 1.2-million-passenger terminal, planned for major expansion and an international 4E role.

Airport identity

What role does this airport actually play?

Role
Primary aviation gateway for Thanh Hoa.
Current Function
Operating civil-military airport serving commercial passenger flights.
Planned Function
International airport within Vietnam's adjusted national airport system.
Regional Role
Supports Thanh Hoa and the wider north-central region.
Core Insight
An operating domestic-oriented airport being prepared for a larger international Code 4E role.
Airport essentials

Navigate the terminals without guesswork

Terminals

Existing terminal

Current passenger terminal

Operating passenger terminal

Use this terminal for
Current commercial passenger processing
Capacity
1.2 million passengers/year
The refurbishment improved handling but did not create the planned 5–7 million passenger capacity.
Passenger journey

From check-in to the city — follow the flow

Arrival and departure flow

Departure
  • Confirm flight status and airline requirements.
  • Check in or use available self-service facilities.
  • Drop checked baggage where required.
  • Pass aviation security.
  • Proceed to the assigned boarding gate.
Arrival
  • Disembark
  • Collect checked baggage
  • Enter the public arrivals area
  • Continue by road to Thanh Hoa or another destination
Current International Context
Do not assume routine international passenger processing solely from the airport planning classification.
Editorial Rule
Describe actual international services only when verified from current operating information.
Getting connected

Reach the city, the region and the wider air network

Surface access

Provincial Core
The airport lies west of Thanh Hoa's principal urban area and connects through the National Highway 47 corridor.
Local Connection
ACV describes an approximately 3 km dual-carriageway connection toward National Highway 47.
Regional Roads
National Highway 47, National Highway 47B and the Ho Chi Minh Road are important regional connections.
Lam Kinh
The airport is well positioned for Lam Son–Lam Kinh.
Western Thanh Hoa
Its inland location supports access toward central and western Thanh Hoa.

Air connectivity

Current Role
Primarily domestic commercial aviation.
International Planning
The 2026 national system places Tho Xuan in the international-airport network.
Future Role
Expansion is intended to support a broader route network as demand develops.
Network Rule
Airlines, destinations and frequencies are time-sensitive and should not be hard-coded without live verification.
At the airport

Services, accessibility and practical preparation

Passenger services

Check In
The 2025 refurbishment expanded the check-in area from about 360 m² to about 657 m² and increased equipped counters from 10 to 14.
Security
Security screening was reorganised with three screening machines and three walk-through gates.
Boarding
Boarding gates increased from two to three.
Baggage
Checked-baggage handling was upgraded.
Passenger Information
FIDS and related terminal systems were upgraded.
Comfort
Air-conditioning, toilets, lighting, internet and fire-protection systems were improved.

Accessibility

Terminal
The current terminal is a two-level passenger facility.
Automatic Doors
The 2025 refurbishment included automatic doors and circulation improvements.
Assistance
Passengers needing mobility or boarding assistance should arrange support with their airline.
Editorial Rule
Do not claim specific accessibility certifications unless verified.

Family travel

Advantages
  • Compact current terminal
  • Expanded check-in area after the 2025 refurbishment
  • Three boarding gates
  • Direct road access
Planning
  • Allow extra time during holiday peaks.
  • Check airline baggage and stroller rules.
  • Plan onward road transport before arrival.
  • For western mountain destinations, check weather and road conditions.

Before you travel

  • Check live flight status before leaving.
  • Confirm the current route and airline schedule.
  • Allow road-transfer time because the airport is outside the principal urban core.
  • Do not assume international flights are available merely because Tho Xuan is in the international-airport plan.
  • For Pu Luong or western Thanh Hoa, plan onward transport separately.
Operating conditions

Plan for peaks, weather and disruption

Peak periods

Tet
Tet and major national holidays can create heavy demand.
Summer
Summer tourism increases travel demand across Thanh Hoa.
Regional Disruption
Tho Xuan can absorb additional regional demand when nearby airports face temporary constraints.
Planning Advice
  • Check flight status.
  • Allow additional terminal time during peaks.
  • Pre-arrange ground transport when demand is high.

Weather and disruption

Summer Weather
Heavy rain, thunderstorms and tropical weather can affect operations.
Typhoon Season
North-central Vietnam can be affected by tropical storms and typhoons.
Western Roads
Heavy rain can also affect onward mountain roads.
Passenger Rule
Check airline information and local weather during severe conditions.

Security and processing

Civil Military
Tho Xuan is a joint civil-military airport developed from Sao Vang military airfield.
Current Airfield
One 3,200 m × 50 m runway with a parallel taxiway and connecting taxiways.
Navigation
ACV describes precision ILS capability.
Apron
The civil apron has six stands, principally for A320/A321-class aircraft, with one stand historically configured for larger aircraft subject to limitations.
Editorial Rule
Do not expose or infer sensitive military details.
Airport intelligence

Capacity, growth and the airport's next chapter

Recent capacity development

Current Terminal
1.2 million passengers/year.
Current Expansion Potential
About 2 million passengers/year within the existing-terminal concept.
Investment2030
Thanh Hoa identifies expansion toward about 5 million passengers/year by 2030.
National Long Term
The adjusted national airport-system plan identifies approximately 7 million passengers/year.
Airport Class
Code 4E in current national planning.
Land
Approximately 1,092.53 ha in the long-term national plan.
Status Rule
Current capacity, 2030 investment direction and long-term national planning are separate figures.

Current operations

Status
Operating.
Commercial Profile
Current commercial operation remains predominantly domestic.
Runway
One 3,200 m × 50 m runway.
Terminal
One current passenger terminal.
Terminal Capacity
1.2 million passengers/year.
Terminal Condition
Refurbished in 2025.
Apron
Six civil aircraft stands.
International Status Caution
International planning status is not proof of a broad current scheduled international network.

Long-term airport planning

National Plan2026
Decision 1140/QD-BXD dated 1 July 2026 includes Tho Xuan among the international airports in the adjusted national system.
Planning Scale
Code 4E and approximately 7 million passengers/year in the long-term national system.
Land Scale
Approximately 1,092.53 ha.
Provincial Investment2026 2030
Thanh Hoa identifies airport-infrastructure investment toward approximately 5 million passengers/year by 2030.
Planning Update
The detailed airport plan is being adjusted to align with newer national and provincial planning.
Historic Plan Caution
The 2020 airport plan referenced about 20 million passengers/year by 2050; newer national planning uses about 7 million, so the older figure is planning history rather than the current high-level target.
Cargo and investment

See the airport as part of its regional economic network

Cargo gateway

Current Role
Passenger aviation is currently more prominent than dedicated air cargo.
Economic Potential
Future cargo demand could support high-value, time-sensitive goods from Thanh Hoa's manufacturing and agricultural economy.
Nghi Son Context
Heavy industrial and bulk cargo linked to Nghi Son is structurally better suited to road, rail and maritime logistics.
Future Opportunity
  • High-value manufactured goods
  • Express logistics
  • Time-sensitive components
  • Selected agricultural products
  • E-commerce
Editorial Rule
Do not infer large current air-cargo throughput from the province industrial scale.

Regional investment impact

Tourism
Improves long-distance access to Thanh Hoa's heritage, coast and mountain destinations.
Manufacturing
Supports executive and specialist travel for industrial investment.
Western Development
Its inland position supports the Lam Son–Sao Vang and western development corridor.
Provincial Connectivity
Reduces dependence on airports outside the province.
International Potential
International-airport planning creates future potential, but route development depends on demand and implementation.
Economic reach

Industrial catchment

01

Sao Vang–Lam Son corridor

Urban, industrial, agricultural-processing and service development

Immediate airport adjacency.
02

Thanh Hoa urban core

Administration, services and commerce

Primary urban passenger catchment.
03

Western Thanh Hoa

Agriculture, forestry, tourism and border-oriented economy

Nearest major air gateway for many western areas.
04

Nghi Son economic zone

Refining, petrochemicals, manufacturing and port logistics

Useful for business travel; freight remains strongly maritime and road based.

Investor checklist

  • Separate current 1.2-million capacity from future targets.
  • Treat 5 million passengers/year as the 2030 investment direction.
  • Treat 7 million passengers/year as the newer long-term national planning scale.
  • Do not use the older 20-million 2050 figure without explaining the planning change.
  • Track the detailed airport-plan adjustment.
  • Verify actual international route launches.
Business and investment

Use the airport as a regional decision-making lens

Business travel

Strengths
  • Direct aviation access within Thanh Hoa
  • Useful for the provincial core and western corridor
  • Refurbished passenger terminal
  • Future international-airport role
Limitations
  • Current terminal capacity remains modest
  • Route network is narrower than major hubs
  • International planning status does not guarantee current international services
Decision Rule
Tho Xuan is usually the most direct air gateway for business in Thanh Hoa when a suitable flight is available.

Air vs road vs rail vs sea

Air
Fastest for long-distance passenger journeys where direct flights are available.
Road
Expressways and national highways provide flexible regional access.
Rail
The North–South railway serves the central corridor.
Sea
Nghi Son port dominates maritime freight and heavy industrial logistics.
Decision Rule
Tho Xuan is strongest for long-distance passenger speed; bulk freight remains dominated by road, rail and sea.
Know before you assume

Common airport misconceptions

Airport evolution

How the gateway has changed

Sao Vang develops as a military airfield

The site serves military aviation before regular civil operations.

Civil aviation operations begin

Tho Xuan enters commercial civil aviation service.

Current passenger terminal enters service

The modern terminal opens with design capacity of approximately 1.2 million passengers/year.

International-airport development plan is approved

The airport plan sets a Code 4E development direction and a much larger long-term concept.

Passenger-terminal refurbishment is completed

Check-in, baggage, security, boarding and building systems are upgraded.

Thanh Hoa identifies major airport investment

The provincial 2026–2030 programme identifies expansion toward approximately 5 million passengers/year.

National airport system confirms international role

Decision 1140/QD-BXD includes Tho Xuan among Vietnam international airports and identifies a long-term Code 4E scale of about 7 million passengers/year.

Connections

Explore Vietnam's aviation network

Lam Kinh Historical SiteLam Kinh preserves the palace-temple and royal-tomb landscape associated with Lê Lợi, the Lam Sơn uprising and the Later Lê dynasty.
North–South Expressway through Thanh HoaOperating expressway sections connect Thanh Hóa more rapidly with Hà Nội, Ninh Bình and Nghệ An.
National Highway 217The operating highway connects central Thanh Hóa with Bá Thước, Quan Sơn and the Na Mèo border gate.
TourismUNESCO heritage, Sầm Sơn, Pù Luông, Bến En and historical sites give Thanh Hóa one of northern-central Vietnam's broadest tourism portfolios.
Understand aviation

Airport terms worth knowing

A compact reference for the terminology used throughout this dashboard.

THD

IATA airport code for Tho Xuan Airport.

VVTX

ICAO location code for Tho Xuan Airport.

Code 4E

The airport reference-code scale used for Tho Xuan in current national planning.

Civil-military airport

An airport where civil and military aviation share the broader airfield environment.

ILS

Instrument Landing System, supporting precision approach and landing.

Design capacity

The passenger volume a facility is designed to process, distinct from actual annual traffic.

Sources

Where this airport guide comes from

Airports Corporation of Vietnam

Tho Xuan Airport facilities

Source ↗
Airports Corporation of Vietnam

Tho Xuan passenger terminal refurbishment completed

Source ↗
Ministry of Construction of Vietnam

Adjusted national airport system plan

Source ↗
Thanh Hoa provincial authorities

Thanh Hoa 2026–2030 investment project list

Source ↗
Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam

Tho Xuan International Airport planning 2021–2030, vision to 2050

Source ↗