Brian Jeffrey
Phan Van Mai, the Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee, has forwarded an urgent document to the Prime Minister on August 31. The document includes the pre-feasibility study report for the Ring Road 4 project in Ho Chi Minh City.
The Ring Road 4 project is expected to significantly impact the economic growth of provinces in Southeast Vietnam, a pivotal economic region. It aims to improve traffic connectivity between regions, allowing smoother flow of goods and reducing logistics expenses.
Stretching across approximately 207 kilometers, the Ring Road 4 will traverse five provinces and cities: Ho Chi Minh City, Long An, Binh Duong, Dong Nai, and Ba Ria – Vung Tau. With an initial investment estimate nearing VND 130 trillion, it stands as Southeast Vietnam’s most extensive road infrastructure endeavor to date.
The preliminary study report for the Ring Road 4 project has been jointly developed by the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee in collaboration with the concerned provinces.
The project’s total length is about 207 kilometers, divided into segments across Ba Ria – Vung Tau (18.23 km), Dong Nai (45.54 km), Binh Duong (47.45 km), Ho Chi Minh City (17.3 km), and Long An (78.3 km).
The project’s initial phase will prioritize land clearance following the approved blueprint. It aims to create a four-lane expressway with three-meter-wide emergency lanes along its entire length.
The development plan includes the construction of 23 interchanges, with four in Ho Chi Minh City, six in Long An, three in Ba Ria – Vung Tau, six in Dong Nai, and four in Binh Duong.
Moreover, the project entails building service roads and local paths along both sides of the expressway, catering to the traffic requirements of distinct segments and localities, such as urban regions and residential areas.
The total anticipated investment for the Ring Road 4 project is roughly VND 128.063 trillion, with VND 39.827 trillion earmarked from the central government budget and VND 30.882 trillion from local budgets. Ho Chi Minh City alone is estimated to need VND 14.089 trillion, while Long An requires VND 67.024 trillion, Ba Ria – Vung Tau VND 7.972 trillion, Dong Nai VND 19.151 trillion, and Binh Duong VND 19.827 trillion.
The budget allocation blueprint anticipates VND 15.843 trillion for the 2021-2025 period, and VND 54.867 trillion for 2026-2030.
In a recent meeting on August 26, the Minister of Planning and Investment, in agreement with the leadership of Ho Chi Minh City and the related provinces, discussed key points to accelerate the Ring Road 4 project’s development.
In line with the meeting conclusions, Ho Chi Minh City has formed a task force to prepare and present an investment proposal for the project. The city has also urged the involved provinces to collaborate promptly and finalize the pre-feasibility study report by September 10 for submission to the Ministry of Planning and Investment.
With a focus on timely execution and meeting urgent deadlines, Ho Chi Minh City has proposed the Prime Minister’s approval for preparing the comprehensive pre-feasibility study report for the Ring Road 4 project. Additionally, the city is exploring and suggesting the application of special mechanisms and policies along the project route.
Ho Chi Minh City will spearhead coordination with localities and relevant agencies to complete the report and seek approval from the authorized bodies, aiming for the National Assembly’s investment decision during its October session.
The city has requested the Prime Minister to assign the Ministry of Planning and Investment to oversee the study report appraisal, report on the central budget allotment for the project, and engage with the National Assembly Standing Committee to include the project in the October 2024 session agenda.
To meet the National Assembly’s investment decision deadline, local authorities need to finalize a series of tasks and procedures by October.
