Breaking Through Transportation Infrastructure

If from 2001-2010, the whole country only put into operation 89 km of highways; from 2011-2020, an additional 1,074 km was put into operation, then in the past half of the term (2021-2023), 730 km of highways have been put into operation, bringing the total length of highways in our country to 1,892 km. Thus, in just 3 years, the length of completed highways is equal to half the number of kilometers of highways implemented in the previous 10 years.

Realizing the dream of 5,000 km of highways

The 13th National Party Congress has set a target to strive for the country to have about 5,000 km of highways by 2030.

According to Minister of Transport Nguyen Van Thang, 2023 is the middle year, the pivotal year, and plays a important role in the successful realization of the resolutions of the 13th Party Congress, the resolutions of the National Assembly, the Government on the 5-year socioeconomic development plan for the 2021-2025 period.

Under the comprehensive, unified leadership of the Party; the regular supervision and support of the National Assembly; the resolute, efficient direction and administration of the Government, the Prime Minister; the active coordination and support of the Central Ministries and localities; the support of the business community and the people; the entire transportation industry has maintained the highest effort and determination, and has made comprehensive, clear changes in all management areas with important achievements, contributing to the general achievements of the country.

According to the Minister of Transport, 2023 has seen many breakthroughs in investment and development of transport infrastructure, with the commencement of 26 projects, including shortening the commencement time of 6 important national projects by 1 year compared to the normal procedure and the first simultaneous online commencement of Phase 2 of the Eastern North-South Highway project at 12 bridge sites of 12 component projects.

Along with that, the construction of the East-West highway projects; the urban ring roads in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City; the construction of the Long Thanh International Airport terminal, T3 Terminal Tan Son Nhat Airport…

In 2023, 20 projects were completed and put into operation, of which the highway sector alone had 9 projects with a total length of 475 km, bringing the total length of highways put into operation nationwide to nearly 1,900 km. Specifically, the 9 completed highway projects put into operation in 2023 include: Tuyen Quang – Phu Tho (40.2 km); Mai Son – National Highway 45 (63.37 km); National Highway 45 – Nghi Son (43.28 km); Nghi Son – Dien Chau (50 km); Nha Trang – Cam Lam (49 km); Vinh Hao – Phan Thiet (100.8 km); Phan Thiet – Dau Giay (99 km); My Thuan 2 Bridge (6.61 km); My Thuan – Can Tho (23 km).

Where the road opens up, people benefit

At the year-end conference of the Ministry of Transport, in his directing speech, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh said that 2023 is a year of favorable conditions mixed with difficulties and challenges. With more difficulties and more complex developments in the world situation beyond control and unpredictable. This has had a great impact on the domestic situation, including the transportation industry.

However, under the leadership of the Party, the direction of the State, and the efforts of the Ministry of Transport, the mission has been excellently accomplished, contributing to the stabilization of the overall macroeconomy, controlling inflation, promoting growth, and developing infrastructure, contributing to poverty reduction in remote, border, and island areas.

“Where the road goes, it opens up new development space, where the road goes, people benefit, where the road goes, industrial parks and rural areas develop accordingly” – said the Prime Minister. Recalling the events of early 2023, for the first time, the Ministry of Transport implemented online commencement for 12 North-South Highway projects, and by the end of the year, 4 transportation projects were inaugurated, including airports, bridges, and highways at both ends of the country, and the Prime Minister affirmed the contribution of the transportation industry as well as localities to the country’s general achievements.

The head of the Government assessed that in 2023, the Ministry of Transport has completed a lot of work, proceeded with the commencement of road and urban rail projects in the capital region of Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, highways connecting the Northwest, Central Highlands, Southwest and Mekong River Delta regions.

The Prime Minister emphasized and praised the entire transportation industry for working with the highest spirit, working throughout holidays and Tet, overcoming the scorching sun, the pouring rain, seizing opportunities to work, sleeping hard, advancing without retreat, working hard, and not stopping day and night. In just the first half of the term, over 730 km of highways were completed.

The Ministry of Transport identifies 2024 as a year of acceleration, breakthrough, and special importance to successfully implement the 2021-2025 5-year plan. In terms of construction investment, infrastructure development, the Ministry of Transport will continue to expedite the approval of investment projects, design estimates to commence projects as planned in the medium-term 2021-2025, especially projects that connect the Ho Chi Minh road section from Cho Chu to Trung Son Intersection, Rach Soi – Ben Nhut – Go Quao – Vinh Thuan.

Important national transport infrastructure works are also focused on accelerating the construction progress such as the North – South Eastern route; Component 2 of the Khanh Hoa – Buon Ma Thuot, Bien Hoa – Vung Tau highways; early completion of upgrading the marine transportation routes to Cai Mep – Thi Vai port, Nam Nghi Son port.

Notably, in 2024, the Ministry of Transport strives to complete and put into operation at least 130 km of highways. The Ministry of Transport will also closely coordinate with the competent authorities, the authorized agencies, and the localities to commence key projects, with regional connectivity such as the Hoa Binh – Moc Chau highway, Ninh Binh – Hai Phong highway, Gia Nghia – Chon Thanh highway, Ho Chi Minh City – Chon Thanh highway. Accelerate the deployment of the 4th ring road projects for the Hanoi capital, the 3rd ring road for Ho Chi Minh City, the Long Thanh International Airport, T3 Terminal – Tan Son Nhat International Airport… Coordinating with the Hanoi City and Ho Chi Minh City authorities to put into operation the elevated railway sections of the urban railway from Nhon to Hanoi Station and the urban railway from Ben Thanh to Suoi Tien…

Mr. Nguyen The Minh, Deputy Director of the Investment Construction Management Department (Ministry of Transport), said that in recent years, the movement to work throughout holidays and Tet has been continuously launched by the Ministry of Transport and has been seriously implemented by investors and contractors.

In 2024, the transportation industry continues to receive special attention from the Prime Minister. At the beginning of the year, the Prime Minister issued Directive 1 to continue promoting the highest spirit and responsibility, accelerating the progress of investment, construction of projects, transport infrastructure, in order to successfully fulfill the objectives set out in the 13th Party Congress.