Investment proposal for route linking Ha Giang with Noi Bai-Lao Cai Highway

Once the ODA side is arranged, the road construction can kick off in Ha Giang

According to VNA, the Project Management Board No.2 has requested the Ministry of Transport to send an official document to the Korea Economic Development Cooperation Fund (KEDCF) to confirm the official development assistance (ODA) component of the project constructing the route connecting Ha Giang with the Noi Bai-Lao Cai Highway.

The estimated total investment value of the project is VND7.702 billion ($334.87 million). Of this, the ODA loan from the KEDCF is expected to contribute about VND6.103 billion ($265.35 million) for construction, equipment, technical design, building supervision, and corresponding contingency costs. Meanwhile, counterpart funds will contribute around VND1.599 billion ($69.5 million) for value added tax, site clearance, project management, construction investment consultancy, as well as other costs and corresponding provisions.

As proposed by the Project Management Board No.2, the 83km route will begin at intersection IC14_Km149+705 of the Noi Bai-Lao Cai Highway and end at Bac Quang district in Ha Giang. In addition to 1.12km of tunnels and 16 bridges with a total length of 2.24km with continuous girder structure across the Red River and Chay River to be built.

The construction will be implemented in two phases. Phase 1 will be a Grade 3 motorway including a 12m-wide, two-lane road surface. Once completed, the route will be upgraded to four lanes with the total width of 22-24.75m, accommodating travelling speeds of 80-100 km per hour.

To date, Ha Giang is known for its great potential in tourism, culture, and minerals. However, it has yet to fully utilise these advantages partly due to its undeveloped transport system. Therefore, the construction of the route linking Ha Giang with Noi Bai-Lao Cai Highway will significantly shorten travel time from Hanoi to Ha Giang, promote economic and trade development and reduce the load on the National Highway No.2.

If the KEDCF approves the ODA loan, Project Management Board No.2 will prepare and appraise the pre-feasibility study and the feasibility study to sign loan agreements and implement the project from 2023 to 2027.