Ho Chi Minh City proposes cable car for island airport access amid tourism boom

The plan was outlined in a city report on measures to boost socio-economic development in the Con Dao special administrative zone, as tourist arrivals are expected to rise sharply in the coming years.

Co Ong Airport is currently connected to the town center by a narrow two-lane mountain road, with travel times of 20–30 minutes. City authorities estimate the airport will handle about 2 million passengers annually by 2030, increasing to 3 million per year in the following decade.

However, the existing road is winding and steep in many sections, creating a high risk of congestion as traffic grows. Expanding it to four lanes is considered unfeasible, as it would require cutting through mountains and clearing more than 15 hectares of forest, significantly affecting the environment. Waterway transport is also seen as unsuitable due to rough seas and unpredictable weather.

As an alternative, the city has proposed a cable car system similar to the mainland–Cat Ba route in northern Vietnam. Officials say the cable car would not only meet transportation demand but also offer a scenic tourism experience showcasing Con Dao’s forests, mountains and coastline, in line with the island’s high-end, sustainable tourism strategy.

According to preliminary estimates, the cable car would affect only about 3 hectares of forest, more than five times less than the impact of expanding the road.

Con Dao covers nearly 76 square kilometers and lies about 230 kilometers from Ho Chi Minh City. More than 78% of its area is protected as national parkland, home to sensitive forest and marine ecosystems. The island is being developed as a special economic zone centered on eco-tourism, historical and spiritual tourism, and nature conservation.