Check-in at Danang airport automatically in just 2 minutes

On 09/06/2025, Da Nang International Airport officially marked a significant milestone as the first airport in Vietnam to complete a fully automated process for international passengers, covering everything from check in and baggage drop to immigration clearance and boarding gates. The comprehensive deployment of facial recognition technology, Autogate systems, self-service kiosks, and automatic boarding lanes significantly shortens passenger processing times and reflects a clear strategy of modernizing aviation services to meet international standards. Initial statistics from the first three weeks of operation show that average outbound procedures now take only two to three minutes, drastically easing pressure on control points, especially during peak hours.

Da Nang International Airport currently handles over 15 million passengers annually, with international travelers accounting for approximately 30 to 35 percent of the total volume. The airport maintains direct routes to key tourism markets such as South Korea, China, Japan, Thailand, and Singapore, and has recently expanded to potential destinations including India, the Philippines, Australia, and several cities along the western coast of the United States. As Da Nang repositions itself as the leading international tourism hub of Central Vietnam, upgrading to smart infrastructure at Terminal 2 has become a strategic pillar for enhancing its regional competitiveness.

A critical highlight of the upgrade is the integration of passenger data with national databases, enabling biometric verification against chip-embedded passports and minimizing fraud and manual intervention. This achievement is the result of a coordinated partnership between the Airports Corporation of Vietnam, Tan Son Nhat Airport Services Company, FPT Corporation, and international aviation technology providers. Full automation not only enhances passenger convenience but also enables airport operators to optimize manpower, reduce human error, and increase transparency and safety throughout the control process.

However, the effectiveness of these innovations still requires a multidimensional assessment. On popular review platforms like Tripadvisor, Reddit, and large travel communities, many international travelers have praised the speed and convenience of bypassing long queues and paper forms. Nevertheless, they also pointed out challenges such as unfamiliarity with the interface, leading to a disjointed user experience. Some travelers without chip passports or those who encountered technical errors during facial scans were redirected back to traditional counters, which caused delays and confusion. This raises concerns about the system's inclusiveness and adaptability to diverse passenger groups, including older adults, children, or first-time travelers unfamiliar with automation.

As of June 2025, the Autogate system is only available to Vietnamese citizens with chip-embedded passports, foreign nationals with valid temporary residence cards, and pre-registered travelers. This limitation significantly narrows accessibility for short-term international visitors, who form a large portion of Da Nang’s inbound tourist segment. Meanwhile, major regional airports such as Changi in Singapore, Incheon in South Korea, and Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia have already adopted multi-layer biometric systems using facial recognition, fingerprints, and ID cards to facilitate cross-border journeys. Although Da Nang leads in implementing an end-to-end process, expanding data integration and easing eligibility requirements are essential to generate broader impact.

From the perspective of travel behavior, time is becoming a key metric in evaluating service quality. One international passenger shared on the Vietnam Travelers forum that being able to move from the terminal entrance to the boarding area in just ten to twelve minutes was a highly valuable experience, especially compared to waiting in line for nearly an hour at other domestic airports in previous years. However, there were also complaints about insufficiently trained staff, which led to confusion among first-time users. This highlights the need for human-centered design and proper staff training to complement technological advancement.

Another important consideration is the cost of implementation and its impact on service pricing. Terminal 2 at Da Nang International Airport was constructed with an investment of over 3.5 trillion VND, with nearly 1 trillion VND allocated to automation systems. These include 44 self check in kiosks, six Autogate lanes, four automated boarding gates, and a real-time passenger monitoring system using AI-powered cameras. However, auxiliary service prices such as food, beverages, and parking remain higher than the national average. Without visible added value or clear explanations of service components, passengers may perceive a disconnect between the price they pay and the experience they receive.

Compared to other major airports in Vietnam, Da Nang is currently leading in implementing full-scale automation. Noi Bai and Tan Son Nhat have begun partial trials but have not yet achieved complete integration. Other airports such as Cam Ranh, Phu Quoc, and Van Don are in early stages of research and pilot deployment. This positions Da Nang not only as a pioneer but also as a testbed for practical application of aviation technology under local operating conditions.

In the long term, a smart airport must serve as more than a fast checkpoint. It should become the starting point of a connected tourism ecosystem. When passenger data, bookings, accommodations, and local transport services are integrated seamlessly, waiting time is reduced, service efficiency increases, and the overall travel experience improves. This foundation is critical for upgrading the tourism industry, especially amid intensifying international competition. If successful, the Da Nang model could be replicated at other regional airports and set a new national benchmark for aviation service quality.

The date 09/06/2025 does not merely signify a technological achievement but marks the beginning of a new era where Vietnam’s tourism sector affirms its commitment to efficiency and traveler-centric innovation. Change only holds value when every passenger genuinely experiences time savings, convenience, and a sense of welcome the moment they land. This is not only the success of an infrastructure project but a testament to a renewed management mindset focused on modern, effective, and dignified service delivery in Vietnam's aviation and tourism landscape.