Cần Thơ airfield was originally established during the French colonial period and was later used by the Japanese during World War II.

[2] The RVNAF maintained a detachment from its 122nd Liaison Squadron equipped with 5 O-1 Bird Dogs.

[2]: 177 On the night of 16 July 1963 a Viet Cong (VC) mortar attack on Cần Thơ Airfield wounded 17 ARVN and US Special Forces troops.

[2]: 182 In January 1964 given the need for heavier aircraft to be available for quick reaction air support in the Mekong Delta, CINCPAC approved the construction of a new airfield at Cần Thơ for a cost of US$2.5 million to be ready within one year.

[2]: 184 Construction of the new Binh Thuy Air Base, 7 km northwest of Cần Thơ Airfield began in February 1964.