Opening of Ben Luc - Long Thanh Expressway: Faster Travel from the Mekong Delta to the New Airport

The opening of the Ben Luc – Long Thanh Expressway, effective from October 1, 2026, represents more than just a milestone in road infrastructure; it is also a decisive ‘accelerator’ that is redrawing the tourism map of Southern Vietnam. For Destination Management Companies (DMCs) and tour operators (TOs), this is the ideal time to restructure your offerings and optimize the experience for our mutual clients

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Decongestion and Smooth Travel: Cutting Transfer Times in Half

In recent years, the greatest challenge for tourism professionals operating in the southern and southwestern regions has been the heavy traffic congestion when crossing central Ho Chi Minh City. The official opening of the Ben Luc – Long Thanh Expressway permanently resolves this issue.

By creating a 58-kilometer bypass that directly connects the Mekong Delta (Long An, Tien Giang provinces…) with the eastern provinces, this infrastructure reduces travel time by 1.5 to 2 hours compared to traditional routes through the congested city center. For DMCs and TOs, these drastically shortened distances and times mean the ability to design smoother itineraries, prevent traveler fatigue, and significantly reduce the logistical costs of ground transportation.

Preparing for the Long Thanh Mega-Airport

One of the greatest opportunities for the clients of DMCs and TOs is the upcoming opening of the new Long Thanh International Airport (which will support the current Tan Son Nhat Airport).

The Ben Luc – Long Thanh Expressway serves as a direct route: it allows for travel times of just 45 to 60 minutes between the new Long Thanh International Airport and the Mekong Delta provinces. This completely bypasses the heavy traffic of Ho Chi Minh City. For groups and the MICE sector (meetings, events, and conferences), such rapid transport guarantees high-quality service, on par with major international cities.

A Major Boost for Beach Tourism: Reaching the Coast in Record Time

This new direct connection also transforms beach tourism offerings. Prime destinations like Ho Tram and Vung Tau are now in an ideal position: thanks to the direct route from the Mekong Delta and Long Thanh Airport, travel time is reduced to just 1.5 to 2 hours (down from over 3 hours previously).

This improvement allows DMCs and TOs to offer excellent combined itineraries. It is now incredibly easy to pair an exploration of the Mekong Delta with beach relaxation in Ho Tram or Vung Tau within a single short trip. This is a high-value product that perfectly meets the demands of today’s travelers: enjoying diverse experiences.

In Conclusion

The Ben Luc – Long Thanh Expressway does much more than shorten distances: it completely redefines travel times for tourism in Southern Vietnam, saving highly valuable hours on every trip. For the collaborative partnership between DMCs and TOs, it becomes a true “strategic tool” to create new experiences, offer more value to travelers, and grow the business.

Laetitia Phuong Ha TRAN – IMAGE Travel Minh Man – Translated by Martin