Southern motorways to start construction in December

Under the plan, the 66km-long Tan Phu - Bao Loc motorway, connecting the provinces of Lam Dong and Dong Nai, will be 17m wide and allow for four lanes of automobiles and emergency stopping lanes. The project is proceeding with an initial investment of about VND17.2 trillion ($716.7 million). Lam Dong will contribute VND8.9 trillion ($371 million), accounting for nearly half of the investment.

The Bao Loc- Lien Khuong motorway, will also be 17 metres wide with four lanes and emergency stopping lanes, but will be 73.6 km long with an initial investment of VND19.5 trillion ($825 million). Lam Dong will contribute VND8.7 trillion (almost $332 million) to the project.

Once completed, the two projects will connect Ho Chi Minh City to key economic regions in the south, including the cities and provinces of Binh Duong, Ba Ria-Vung Tau, Dong Nai, Tay Ninh, Binh Phuoc, Long An, and Tien Giang. The region is home to many industrial parks, shopping malls, and the commercial centres of many major retail groups.

Other key transport projects are currently being implemented to connect the localities in the region.

Ring Road No.3, running 90km and costing nearly VND75.4 trillion ($3.14 billion), is to pass through Ho Chi Minh City and the three provinces of Binh Duong, Dong Nai and Long An. It will have six lanes designed for speeds of 80-100km per hour for commuting and two lanes for emergency stops.

The first phase of the project will stretch 76km long with four lanes, with each locality responsible for clearing the site and building the section in their territory. It is expected to be open for traffic in late 2025 and be fully complete by 2026.

Construction of the Bien Hoa-Vung Tau motorway, passing through Dong Nai and Ba Ria-Vung Tau provinces, started in mid-June. The project is expected to ease traffic congestion on National Highway No.51, which is becoming overcrowded and causing more and more problems and delays. It will also help facilitate travel between Dong Nai and Ba Ria-Vung Tau provinces and Ho Chi Minh City.

The southeast key economic region has maintained its role as the economic engine of the country, with impressive economic indicators recorded in all regional localities, especially in exports. In addition, Ho Chi Minh City, and Ba Ria-Vung Tau are among the top five cities and provinces in the country for attracting foreign investment.

New roads the answer for economic growth It is projected that 2024 could be a bumper year for expressway construction to get moving, with several localities approving plans for vital connection infrastructure.

Ba Ria-Vung Tau showing enormous potential for development The southern province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau has ramped up efforts to open Bien Hoa-Vung Tau Expressway on schedule by 2025, as directed by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on his field visit to the project site in mid-February.

PM urges stronger efforts to complete expressway target Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has asked for greater efforts from ministries, sectors, and localities to realise the goal of completing 3,000 km of expressways nationwide by December 31, 2025.

Nearly 1,200 km of North-South corridor expressway put into operation The North-South corridor expressway, running from Huu Nghi border gate to Ca Mau, is 2,063 km long as designed. As of May 2024, a total of 1,187 km have been put into operation, 861 km are under construction, and the remaining 15 km are under preparation for investment.