Bắc Ninh
Training workforce for Gia Binh International Airport operations
BAC NINH – Authorities in the northern Bac Ninh province are accelerating preparations to train and supply a skilled workforce for the planned Gia Binh International Airport, a major national infrastructure project expected to partially come into operation in time to serve the APEC Summit in 2027.
The airport project, covering nearly 2,000 hectares, is seen as a strategic development driver that could open up new growth space for the province and the wider region.
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The aviation training simulation model at Bac Ha College of Technology. |
While construction work intensifies to meet the ambitious timeline, plans are also underway to ensure a sufficient workforce capable of operating and servicing the airport once it becomes operational.
Land inventory and declarations for agricultural areas within the project site have been completed, and authorities are currently reviewing land-use origins and resolving related issues in order to finalize compensation payments to affected households. At the same time, construction is moving forward on cleared land.
Contractors have mobilized large numbers of engineers, workers and equipment, working extended shifts to take advantage of favorable weather conditions. Key facilities such as the VIP terminal and the air traffic control tower are being built at a rapid pace.
According to development plans, the first phase of the project, scheduled for completion by 2030, will include two runways, passenger terminals, a VIP terminal and supporting technical and logistics infrastructure.
Once completed, the airport is expected to handle around 30 million passengers and 1.6 million tonnes of cargo annually.
After 2030, the airport will undergo further expansion with the addition of two more runways, raising capacity to about 50 million passengers and 2.5 million tonnes of cargo each year.
Such a scale means the demand for human resources – and the employment opportunities created by the project – will be substantial.
Ho Hung Anh, Chairman of Techcombank and a representative of the project’s investor, said the airport development plan extends beyond aviation infrastructure.
The project also includes plans for a free trade zone, international-standard entertainment complexes and a modern aviation economic hub.
To support these developments, the investor has already sent a team to study and receive training at the Hong Kong Aviation Academy. At the same time, developing a local workforce has been identified as a key priority.
The investor plans to coordinate with Bac Ninh authorities to establish a cluster of training centers focused on aviation-related skills.
Local residents will be prioritized for enrollment, with opportunities for overseas training to ensure a high-quality workforce capable of meeting the airport’s long-term development needs.
Experts say that a five-star international airport combined with a major aviation logistics hub will require a wide range of professionals, including aviation security staff, engineers, pilots, air traffic controllers, ground service personnel and logistics specialists.
Anticipating this demand, Bac Ha College of Technology in Tu Son ward proposed opening aviation training programme and received approval from the Ministry of Education and Training in August 2025.
The college now offers two aviation-related majors at the vocational and college levels: aviation commercial services and air transport business administration. It is currently the only institution in Bac Ninh licensed to train students in these fields.
To further encourage workforce development, the Bac Ninh People’s Council issued Resolution No. 113/2025 in December 2025, providing financial support for vocational training and workforce development in sectors such as semiconductors, artificial intelligence, digital technology and aviation services between 2025 and 2030.
Under the policy, students enrolled in aviation programme at Bac Ha College of Technology can receive tuition support ranging from about 24 million VND per year in the 2026–2027 academic year to 29.4 million VND per year by 2029–2030.
Over the duration of the programme, vocational students could receive between 49.7 million VND and 53.2 million VND for a two-year course, while college-level students may receive between 77.2 million VND and 82.6 million VND over three years.
In addition to government support, starting in 2026 aviation students at the college may also receive scholarships from airport-related businesses during internships, with monthly stipends of 3 million to 5 million VND, totaling 50 million to 75 million VND per course.
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The VIP terminal under the Gia Binh International Airport project is being urgently constructed. |
Students from households whose land is cleared for the airport project will also be eligible for policy scholarships worth between 6 million and 9 million VND depending on their training level.
Another highlight of the programme is an overseas internship opportunity. In their third year, students may undertake a 12-month internship in Japan at major airports such as Haneda and Narita, receiving monthly support ranging from 25 million VND to 40 million VND.
Le Minh Tien, rector of Bac Ha College of Technology, said the school has signed cooperation agreements with experts and partners in the aviation sector and invested in modern training facilities, including simulation models to help students understand airport operations.
Students are also provided with field visits to gain practical insight into airport management and service processes.
In 2026, the college plans to enroll more than 300 students in aviation-related programme, offering young people in Bac Ninh new opportunities to enter the rapidly growing aviation and logistics industries.
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