Ho Chi Minh City to prioritise regional linkages via transport infrastructure projects

Ho Chi Minh City will spend almost $2 billion developing transport infrastructure connecting to the Mekong Delta. Photo: Le Toan

According to information announced by Ho Chi Minh City Department of Transport, between 2021 and 2025, the city will prioritise public investment to develop eight transport projects, six of which will connect it to Long An province, one to Dong Nai province and the final one to Tay Ninh province.

Of the projects in Long An, the first one is the expansion of the existing Nguyen Van Bua Road with the total investment capital of VND2.41 trillion ($104.8 million). The second is Vo Van Kiet extended road connecting Binh Chanh district with Hai Son and Tan Duc Industrial Zones with the total cost of VND3.3 trillion ($143.5 million). The third is Tay Bac Road which starts at National Route 1A (Binh Tan district, Ho Chi Minh City) and ends atRing Road 4 (near Hau Nghia town, Long An) with the total capital of VND6.46 trillion ($280.87 million).

The remaining three projects have the total capital of VND2.15 trillion ($93.5 million), VND4.3 trillion ($186.96 million), and VND1.03 trillion ($44.8 million), respectively.

The city will also prioritise allocating capital for the elevated road along Provincial Road 25C which will cross the Dong Nai River and connect with Long Thanh International Airport in Dong Nai. The project is designed with 7-10 lanes with the total investment capital of VND10 trillion ($434.8 million).

Meanwhile, the project connecting Ho Chi Minh City and Moc Bai district of Tay Ninh will have an investment cost of VND15.9 trillion ($691.3 million).

The Mekong Delta region contributes 50 per cent of Vietnam's rice output, 65 per cent of aquacultural products, 70 per cent of fruit output, 95 per cent of rice exports, and 60 per cent of fish exports. Its location makes it ideal for trade with ASEAN and the Greater Mekong Subregion. However, limited connection with Ho Chi Minh City and overseas destinations remains one of the major bottlenecks in the region’s development.

Many businesses have voiced concerns about traffic congestions between the Mekong Delta and Ho Chi Minh City while the lack of cohesive planning and poor logistics have been racking up production costs, reducing the competitiveness of local businesses and the region.