A new aviation hub is taking shape in Southeast Asia, and Turkish engineering is playing a crucial role in bringing it to life.
IC İçtaş, a leading Turkish construction firm, has taken on a $1.5 billion segment of the massive Long Thanh International Airport project in Vietnam. This marks a significant milestone for Turkish companies expanding into the region, with infrastructure, energy, and large-scale construction projects on their radar.
Strategically located 40 kilometers east of Ho Chi Minh City, Long Thanh International Airport is one of Vietnam’s most ambitious infrastructure developments, designed to ease congestion at Tan Son Nhat International Airport and handle over 100 million passengers annually once all phases are complete.
The total investment for the project is projected at $14.1 billion, with construction spanning multiple phases. The first aircraft are expected to take off and land in July of this year.
Vietnam Welcomes Turkish Construction Expertise
The Turkish firm’s involvement in Vietnam’s largest airport project has attracted attention at the highest levels of government.
Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha recently met with IC İçtaş Vice President Reha Denemeç in Hanoi, where discussions centered on accelerating the airport’s passenger terminal construction. The Deputy Prime Minister also expressed interest in Turkish firms taking on additional infrastructure projects beyond Long Thanh Airport.
With a footprint already established in Vietnam, IC İçtaş is well-positioned to contribute to the country’s rapid economic and infrastructural growth. The Deputy Prime Minister praised Turkey’s experience in transport infrastructure, highlighting the efficiency and connectivity Turkish firms bring to large-scale developments.
A Track Record of Mega-Projects
IC İçtaş is no stranger to major global projects. The company has been involved in the construction and engineering of some of the world’s most significant transport and infrastructure developments, including King Khalid International Airport in Saudi Arabia. The firm has also partnered with Saudi-based ACWA Power to build a desalination facility for the Caspian Sea, a project expected to be operational for 27.5 years before being transferred to Azerbaijan.
Beyond Vietnam, IC İçtaş is expanding in Uzbekistan, where it has signed a memorandum of understanding for a $1 billion toll road project connecting Samarkand and Bukhara through the Navoi region. This project is part of Uzbekistan’s public-private partnership program, set to last until 2030, further cementing Turkey’s role in Central Asia’s infrastructure boom.
What This Means for the Future of Turkish-Vietnamese Cooperation
With Vietnam positioning itself as a rising economic powerhouse in Southeast Asia, collaboration with Turkish firms could signal deeper ties in trade, construction, and energy sectors. The Long Thanh Airport project is just the beginning, and if successful, Turkish firms may see more opportunities in the region’s rapidly growing infrastructure market.
As IC İçtaş continues expanding its global footprint, its expertise in large-scale engineering, airport development, and transport infrastructure could play a key role in shaping the future of travel across Asia and beyond.
