Liên Khương Airport Closure: How Visitors Can Still Reach Đà Lạt
Six-Month Closure Creates Travel Challenge
Starting March 4th, Liên Khương Airport will temporarily close its doors for nearly six months, forcing thousands of visitors to find alternative routes to our beloved mountain city. According to Tuổi Trẻ, this closure means all flights to and from Đà Lạt must be cancelled or redirected, creating what the newspaper calls a "major migration" of tourists to overland travel options.
The Cam Ranh Connection with a Catch
Many visitors, particularly those from Đà Nẵng and Hà Nội, are considering flying into Cam Ranh Airport in Khánh Hòa province, then making the scenic journey up to Đà Lạt by road. However, there's a crucial detail travelers must know: the restricted hours on Khánh Lê Pass.
Nguyễn Thành Phú, Director of Khánh Hòa's Construction Department, told Tuổi Trẻ that after extensive landslide repairs, the Khánh Lê Pass route (National Highway 27C) is now safe for travel - but only between 5 AM and 6 PM daily. Outside these hours, vehicles are advised to take alternative routes like National Highway 27.
Three Main Arteries to Our City
With air travel temporarily unavailable, Đà Lạt remains accessible through three primary corridors that locals know well:
From Ho Chi Minh City: The traditional National Highway 20 route remains the most popular, with heavy traffic and familiar stops along the way. This is our city's main lifeline to the south.
From Nha Trang: The coastal-to-highlands journey via National Highway 27C offers stunning scenery but requires timing your travel during daylight hours due to the pass restrictions.
From Phan Thiết: National Highway 28B provides another southeastern approach, though less traveled by tourists.
Local Transport Adapts
Our local taxi companies and bus operators are already adjusting their schedules. Many are planning flexible timetables: prioritizing Highway 27C during daytime hours while considering Highway 27 for evening departures. Several operators are developing shuttle services specifically for travelers arriving at Cam Ranh Airport.
As someone who's watched countless visitors fall in love with Đà Lạt over the years, I'm confident our city's natural magnetism will draw people here regardless of how they arrive. The temporary inconvenience might even give travelers a chance to appreciate the beautiful journey through Vietnam's Central Highlands.