Ho Tram Strip to build private airport

                                                         Photo: Viet Tuan

Airport solely for the transport of guests to and from the resort.

Southern Ba Ria Vung Tau province granted approval to the Ho Tram Project Company Limited to build a private airport for the Ho Tram Strip project at a meeting on August 31.

The province agreed with the 200 ha airport being built in Loc An commune in Dat Do district. It will have an operational period of 50 years and be in the build - operate - transfer (BOT) form.

“The company proposed to provincial authorities the building of a special purpose airport a few months ago,” a representative from the Public Relations Department at Ho Tram Project told VET. The private airport will be initially used for transporting guests from domestic airports in the country coming to attend meetings or conferences or staying at Ho Tram Strip, she added.

The plan for the private airport was first mooted at the beginning of the project’s construction. “We considered using a military airport to be unfeasible so asked the province about investing a new airport,” said Mr. Michael Kelly, Executive Chairman of the Board of ACDL and Ho Tram Project Ltd.

The company and local authorities will also consider expanding the airport’s use for tourism and economic development in the years to come. “Ho Tram has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Vietjet Air for future cooperation opportunities,” Mr. Kelly said.

Two months ago the company submitted two potential sites for the airport, one in Loc An commune and a second at Binh Chau commune in Xuyen Moc district, within the Binh Chau Phuoc Buu Nature Reserve.

At the meeting, related provincial departments agreed that building an additional airport in the region would contribute to promoting economic development and meet transport demand. The location in Binh Chau commune was rejected because of its location within the Nature Reserve.

Based on the Master Plan for the Development of Vietnam’s Aviation Transport to 2020 and Vision to 2030, approved by the government, Ba Ria Vung Tau has two airports, in Vung Tau city and on Con Dao Island, excluding the airport proposed by Ho Tram Project, according to the provincial Department of Transport. It must therefore be added to the Master Plan.

The province is to conduct thorough surveys to avoid any negative impact on local people living within a radius of 8 km from the airport.

The provincial Military Command also stated that the project will have an impact on national defense and security. Pursuant to regulations, if a company wishes to build its own airport it must submit documents to the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army. The Ministry of Defense will then conduct an evaluation and consult with the Ministry of Transport and the relevant province, in this case Ba Ria Vung Tau, will then issue a document approving or dismissing the proposal.

Ho Tram Strip, the first multi-phase integrated resort in Vietnam, is being developed by Canada’s Asian Coast Development Limited Company (ACDL) through its subsidiary Ho Tram Project. The project received an investment license in 2008. It has put the A1 area into operation, which includes a five-star luxury hotel with 541 rooms, an amusement park, a casino for foreigners, and an 18-hole golf course of international standard.

by Hong Nhung / vneconomictimes.vn