International flights are back at Lien Khuong International Airport, the main airport serving Da Lat, after more than five months of closure for runway and taxiway upgrades.
The first international flight arrived on September 2, when AirAsia flight AK571 from Kuala Lumpur landed at Lien Khuong Airport at 10:58 AM. The return flight, AK572, departed Da Lat for Kuala Lumpur at 11:40 AM the same day.
The restart restores a direct international connection between Da Lat and Kuala Lumpur and gives travelers from Malaysia and other parts of Southeast Asia another way to reach Vietnam’s Central Highlands.
For anyone staying in Da Lat, the reopening is more than an airport update. It means international access to the city is becoming easier again, while another important regional connection is scheduled to return later this year.
Da Lat Airport Is International Again
Lien Khuong International Airport officially resumed operations on August 19, 2026, after more than five months of temporary closure.
The airport was closed while its runway and taxiways underwent major rehabilitation work. The project included upgrades to the runway, taxiways, safety areas, drainage systems, lighting and other facilities required for airport operations.
The first commercial flight after the reopening was a Vietnam Airlines service from Ho Chi Minh City.
International services have now followed, with AirAsia restoring the regular Da Lat–Kuala Lumpur connection on September 2.
Da Lat–Kuala Lumpur Flights Are Back
The return of the Kuala Lumpur route is particularly useful for travelers from Malaysia and for international visitors who can connect through Kuala Lumpur.
The route is currently expected to operate four flights per week.
This gives travelers another option for reaching Da Lat without first traveling through Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi.
For visitors planning a multi-city Vietnam trip, this can make Da Lat easier to add to an itinerary that begins elsewhere in Southeast Asia.
If you are staying in Da Lat after arriving from Kuala Lumpur, you can continue directly from Lien Khuong Airport to the city rather than taking a domestic connection through another Vietnamese airport.
How Far Is Lien Khuong Airport From Da Lat?
Lien Khuong International Airport is approximately 30 kilometers south of central Da Lat.
The journey from the airport to the city centre normally takes around 30–40 minutes by car, although traffic and weather can affect the actual travel time.
There are several ways to continue into the city after your flight.
Our Da Lat Airport to City Center Transport Guide compares taxis, Grab, shuttle buses, local buses and private transfers.
What Is the Easiest Way to Get From Da Lat Airport to Your Hotel?
For most international visitors, a taxi or pre-booked private transfer is the simplest option.
If you are staying around Da Lat city centre, the drive from Lien Khuong is straightforward and usually takes around 30–40 minutes.
A shuttle bus can be considerably cheaper, while a private transfer can be more convenient for families or groups carrying several pieces of luggage.
If you are arriving late, check the transport schedule before your flight because the cheapest public transport options do not operate throughout the night.
Where to Stay in Da Lat After Arriving at Lien Khuong
For first-time visitors, staying in Da Lat city centre is usually the easiest option.
You will be close to restaurants, cafes, Da Lat Market, Xuan Huong Lake and many of the city’s main attractions.
If you are comparing hotels in Da Lat, look at the distance from the property to the central area rather than relying only on the hotel name.
Our Da Lat for First-Time Visitors guide explains the main areas and what to expect from the city.
Travelers looking for a quieter stay can also stay around the outskirts of Da Lat, particularly if they want gardens, mountain views or a more relaxed atmosphere.
If your priority is convenience, however, I would choose a hotel near Da Lat city centre for a first visit.
Da Lat Airport Is Also Reconnecting With Other Vietnamese Cities
The return of international flights is happening alongside the restoration of domestic services.
Domestic routes now connect Da Lat with major Vietnamese cities including Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Da Nang, Vinh, Hai Phong and Can Tho.
This makes Da Lat easier to combine with other destinations inside Vietnam.
For example, you can fly into Ho Chi Minh City, spend several days there, and then continue to Da Lat by air rather than spending several hours on the road.
Alternatively, you can combine a beach destination such as Nha Trang with the cooler highland climate of Da Lat.
Da Lat and Nha Trang Make a Good Combination
Da Lat and Nha Trang are particularly easy to combine because the two destinations offer very different experiences.
Nha Trang is a coastal beach city with resorts, island trips and a more active nightlife scene.
Da Lat is cooler and mountainous, with pine forests, coffee farms, waterfalls, flower gardens and a more relaxed atmosphere.
If you are planning both destinations, you can spend several nights on the coast before moving inland to the Central Highlands.
This combination works especially well for travelers who want both a beach holiday and a mountain escape during the same Vietnam trip.
Singapore Flights Are Expected to Return in December
Kuala Lumpur is not expected to be the only international connection for long.
The Da Lat–Singapore route is scheduled to resume in December 2026, with three flights per week planned.
The return of the Singapore connection will give international travelers another major Southeast Asian hub from which to reach Da Lat.
For travelers based in Singapore or connecting through Changi Airport, this could make Da Lat considerably easier to include in a Vietnam itinerary.
Why the Airport Upgrade Matters
The runway and taxiway rehabilitation project involved an investment of more than VND 1.03 trillion.
The upgraded airport infrastructure can accommodate Code C and D aircraft, including aircraft such as the Boeing 737, Boeing 757, Airbus A320 and Airbus A321, subject to operating conditions and maximum allowable loads.
The airport is initially expected to handle around 36–40 flights per day and approximately 6,800 passengers per day.
For travelers, the important point is that the airport now has additional capacity to support the restoration and expansion of Da Lat’s air network.
Should You Fly Directly to Da Lat?
If a direct international flight fits your itinerary, it can save both time and unnecessary connections.
Travelers arriving from Kuala Lumpur should compare the total journey against alternatives involving Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi.
A direct flight can be particularly attractive if you are planning a short stay.
For example, if you have only three days in Da Lat, avoiding an additional domestic connection can give you considerably more usable time in the destination.
If you are staying in Da Lat for three nights, arriving directly at Lien Khuong can also make the trip simpler than routing through another Vietnamese city.
What About Hotels Near Lien Khuong Airport?
Most tourists do not need to stay near Lien Khuong Airport.
The airport is outside Da Lat, while most visitors want to spend their time around the city centre or in the surrounding countryside.
If you have a very early departure or a late arrival, however, accommodation near Lien Khuong Airport can sometimes make sense.
For most travelers, I would instead book a hotel in Da Lat and arrange an airport transfer.
This gives you much better access to restaurants, cafes and attractions during your stay.
Is Da Lat Becoming Easier to Reach?
Yes.
The reopening of Lien Khuong has restored domestic flights and is now bringing international routes back to the city.
Kuala Lumpur is already operating again, while Singapore is scheduled to return in December.
At the same time, domestic connections with Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi and other Vietnamese cities give travelers more options for building multi-destination itineraries.
For international visitors, this means Da Lat no longer has to be treated as a difficult side trip from another major Vietnamese city.
What Travelers Should Know
- Airport: Lien Khuong International Airport (DLI)
- Location: Approximately 30 km south of Da Lat
- Airport reopening: August 19, 2026
- First international flight after reopening: September 2, 2026
- International route currently restored: Da Lat–Kuala Lumpur
- Airline: AirAsia
- Current frequency: Four flights per week expected
- Singapore route: Scheduled to resume in December 2026
- Airport-to-city travel time: Approximately 30–40 minutes by car
Is Da Lat Worth Visiting Now?
The return of international flights makes Da Lat more convenient to reach, but the airport is not the only reason to visit.
Da Lat is one of Vietnam’s most distinctive destinations, with a cooler mountain climate, pine forests, coffee farms, waterfalls, flower gardens and a relaxed city centre.
For first-time visitors, three days is a good starting point.
You can spend one day exploring the city, another visiting the surrounding countryside and a third day combining attractions, cafes and a slower pace.
If you are staying at a resort or choosing a quieter property outside the centre, allow additional time for transportation.
Travelers looking for luxury hotels in Da Lat can also find properties with gardens, mountain views and more privacy outside the busiest central streets.
The Bottom Line
Lien Khuong International Airport has now restored international air service to Da Lat, with AirAsia’s Kuala Lumpur route returning on September 2 after more than five months of airport upgrades.
The route is expected to operate four times a week, while the Da Lat–Singapore connection is scheduled to return in December with three weekly flights.
For travelers, the biggest advantage is simple: Da Lat is becoming easier to reach directly from Southeast Asia.
If you are planning a trip from Kuala Lumpur or Singapore, check the available direct flights before automatically routing through Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi.
Once you arrive, our Da Lat Airport to City Center Guide covers the practical options for getting from Lien Khuong to your accommodation.
And if you are still deciding where to stay in Da Lat, our Da Lat First-Time Visitors Guide is a good place to start.
Sources
- Vietnam News — Lien Khương International Airport welcomes first international flight since reopening
- VnExpress International — Airport near Vietnam’s hill town Da Lat welcomes first international flight since reopening
- VietnamPlus — First international flight returns to Lien Khuong Airport
- VOV — Lien Khuong International Airport welcomes first international flight since reopening
Build your Vietnam route — free.