The project will probably develop in two stages. As a result of the first one, due to start before 2020, the new Sa Pa airport will be able to handle up to 560,000 passengers and 600 tonnes of cargo yearly. The secon stage will increase passenger capacity of the airport threefold and cargo handling capacity – almost fivefold.
Lao Cai forms a part of the Kunming – Lao Cai – Ha Noi – Hai Phong economic corridor thus playing an important role in trade relations with the southwestern parts of China.
The evaluated cost of the project is about USD250 million. It is expected that the new airport will serve both military and commercial purposes and will facilitate travel between the major cities of Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Sapa considerably. Currently, to get to Sa Pa, one has only two alternatives: to get to Lao Cai by train and then continue their travel by shuttle bus or taxi or take a long haul bus trip.
Travel to Sapa To Become a Whisk with Lao Cai's New Airport
News in Asia
Sa Pa, a popular trekking destination in the Lao Cai province of the northwestern Vietnam, may have its own airport soon. The People's Commettee of Lao Cai has recently submitted the respective initiative to the Ministry of Transport.