Vietnam bets on new airports to boost tourism and supply chains

Plan flies in face of net zero goal as flights emit more carbon than trains

Vietnam is increasing the number of short-haul flights, which emit 100 times the carbon of road transport, despite targeting net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. (Photo by Lien Hoang)

LIEN HOANG, Nikkei staff writer

November 23, 2023 10:58 JST

HO CHI MINH CITY -- Across the globe, travelers check in at airport kiosks, drop off their bags and get through boarding gates, all without the help of staff, says Do Dieu Huyen. Why isn't this self-service routine in Vietnam?

Huyen is helping to change that now as an operation specialist at the state-owned Airports Corporation of Vietnam. Technological face-lifts are just one part of the national plan to construct or upgrade airports all over the country. The strategy: If we build, tourists will come and so will trade.