Brian Jeffrey
The emphasis on comprehensive infrastructure development was highlighted at the 13th Party Congress as one of three key strategies. The objective is to have 5,000 kilometers of highways in Vietnam by 2030, and the eastern segment of the North-South Expressway is projected to be finished by 2025. The government’s target is to complete 3,000 kilometers of highways by 2025.
Government officials have conducted numerous inspections, visited various areas, urged contractors to work diligently, even on holidays, resulting in the construction of 600 kilometers of highways from 2021 to mid-2023.
Celebrating his daughter’s success in the entrance exam for a gifted high school, Hai and his family decided to drive to Hue City in their own car.
Departing from Hanoi on the day the last 19 kilometers of the Dien Chau – Bai Vot highway opened, they completed the trip to Duc Tho in Ha Tinh in just four hours.
“We left at 5 am and reached Duc Tho at 9 am. We had lunch in Ha Tinh City and then continued our journey. By 1 pm, we were in Hue City.
“Had we not taken any breaks, the journey from Hanoi to Hue would have taken 8 hours. The convenience of this trip was not something we would have considered two years ago. Highways have added great value,” he expressed.
On June 29, a ceremony was held at the Hung Duc Bridge in Duc Tho district, Ha Tinh, marking the opening of the final 19 kilometers of the Dien Chau – Bai Vot highway for traffic.
The entire Dien Chau – Bai Vot route spans 49 kilometers, shortening the travel time from Hanoi to Ha Tinh to four hours from the previous six.
The 19 kilometer stretch was the final part of the 11 component projects under the North-South Expressway’s eastern portion project for 2017-2020, covering a total of 653 kilometers.
Prior to this, after 28 months of work, the Cam Lam – Vinh Hao highway was completed and opened to traffic on April 26. This completed the link between HCMC and Nha Trang, reducing travel time to 4-5 hours, half of what was needed on Highway No.1.
Analysts note that within three years, the total length of constructed highways equals half of what was accomplished in the previous decade.
The Ministry of Transport aims to have at least 130 kilometers of new highways in operation by 2024.
By 2025, completion of 12 component projects of the North-South Expressway for 2021-2025 and additional sections spanning from Lang Son in the north to Ca Mau in the south is anticipated.
By June 2024, an additional 128 kilometers of highways had been inaugurated, comprising 79 kilometers on Cam Lam – Vinh Hao and 49 kilometers on Dien Chau – Bai Vot.
Deputy Minister of Transport Le Anh Tuan stated that from 2017-2020, they managed 11 component highway projects covering 654 kilometers. For 2021-2025, 12 component projects totaling 729 kilometers are being executed as part of the North-South Expressway’s eastern segment.
“We have effectively fulfilled the task set by Resolution 52 of the 14th National Assembly to construct 654 kilometers of the North-South Expressway.”
Contractors are working diligently to meet the Prime Minister’s target of having about 3,000 kilometers of new highways open by 2025.
