The Grand Ho Tram Proposes Expressway to Link with Vietnam’s Long Thanh Airport

Vietnam’s The Grand Ho Tram—under the ownership of Warburg Pincus and Masterise Group—is moving ahead with bold proposals to construct a high-speed, four-lane expressway, improving connectivity to the soon-to-open Long Thanh International Airport. Their vision comes at a pivotal moment as Long Thanh, set to be Vietnam’s largest aviation hub, edges closer to its projected launch in 2026. The proposed expressway spans roughly 42 km and aims to slash transit times between the resort and the airport, which currently stands at a hefty 78 km.

The expressway proposal rests on a two-phase financing model. Under this plan, the Vietnamese government would take responsibility for land clearance and construction of frontage roads, estimated at VND 6.08 trillion (approx. US $230 million). Meanwhile, the resort group’s subsidiary, Ho Tram Project Co. Ltd., would fund the main build–transfer (BT) expressway segment—valued at VND 13.44 trillion (approx. US $509 million)—through a mix of cash and land swaps, including parcels in the Ho Tram 2 resort township and Nam Chau Duc industrial zone.

In parallel, Masterise Group has presented its own take on the project, favoring a public-private partnership (PPP) model. Their proposal also leverages a BT structure, but with a twist: compensation would include 147 hectares of land in the Truong Tho urban area of Ho Chi Minh City’s Thu Duc district. This highlights interest from multiple private-sector stakeholders in shaping infrastructure solutions tied to Vietnam’s expanding transport network.

The timing of these proposals is significant: Long Thanh Airport, slated to begin operations in late 2026, is a landmark infrastructure undertaking essential to easing pressure on Ho Chi Minh City’s Tan Son Nhat airport, which currently struggles with congestion and overcapacity. Improving the road link from The Grand Ho Tram resort is therefore strategically important—not just for tourism and resort operations but for regional mobility and economic integration. HCMC authorities are now reviewing both bids before forwarding them to the People’s Committee for further consideration.