The Race to the Finish: 3,000km of Highways in 500 Days

The launching ceremony took place at the construction site of the Khanh Hoa – Buon Ma Thuot Expressway project (at the end of the line at Km117, Hoa Dong commune, Krong Pac district, Dak Lak province) and was broadcast live at 13 locations in 13 provinces and cities with ongoing expressway projects and material sources for the construction sites.

Speaking at the ceremony, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh stated that the event held great significance as the entire nation geared up for the 79th anniversary of the August Revolution and National Day on September 2nd, striving to successfully implement the Resolution of the 13th Congress and welcoming Party Congresses at all levels, leading up to the 14th National Party Congress.

The Prime Minister highlighted that Dak Lak is the central hub of the Central Highlands region, a key area for socio-economic development and national defense but lags in terms of strategic transportation infrastructure.

According to the master plan, after 2030, there should be 1,900 kilometers of expressways constructed in the Central Highlands. This is the reason why Dak Lak was chosen as the venue for the launching ceremony of the “500 Days and Nights of Emulation to Complete 3,000 Kilometers of Expressways” campaign.

“Don’t say no, don’t say it’s difficult, and don’t say yes but fail to act”

At the launching ceremony, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh requested that Party committees at all levels provide resolute and close direction and take responsibility for leading the way. He also emphasized the importance of mobilizing the support and consensus of the people and businesses while promoting initiative, creativity, flexibility, and a sense of responsibility to successfully achieve the set goals.

“All ministries, sectors, and localities must consider this a political task that has been assigned to them. They should effectively implement the set goals with a spirit of openness in thought, high determination, great efforts, and resolute actions, focusing on key tasks. Whatever task we take on, we must see it through to the end. We must have a clear division of tasks, with specific assignments for each individual, clear timelines, and well-defined responsibilities, products, and outcomes,” he added.

In any case of difficulties, obstacles, or challenges, all forces involved in the project should unite and take action, with the mindset of “only discussing how to do it, not how to retreat,” and with the attitude of “don’t say no, don’t say it’s difficult, and don’t say yes but fail to act,” Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh stated.

At the ceremony, Mr. Le Anh Tuan, Deputy Minister of Transport, stated that up to now, the country has had 2,021 kilometers of expressways. In the past, localities and relevant units have been highly determined to overcome all difficulties to achieve the goal of putting into operation 3,000 kilometers of expressways by the end of 2025.

“Today, the Prime Minister directly launched the campaign for ‘500 Days and Nights of Emulation to Complete 3,000 Kilometers of Expressways.’ This is a great source of encouragement and motivation for every official, party member, employee, and worker in the transport sector,” emphasized Mr. Le Anh Tuan, Deputy Minister of Transport.

According to a report by the Ministry of Transport, the national expressway network planning includes 41 routes with a total length of 9,014 kilometers. The Central and Central Highlands regions account for 13 routes with a total length of 3,841 kilometers.

Specifically, the Central Highlands region has 9 expressway routes with a total length of about 1,899 kilometers, including: 1 North-South expressway axis in the west with a total length of 495 kilometers from Ngoc Hoi to Chon Thanh. The 140-kilometer section from Gia Nghia to Chon Thanh has been approved for investment by the National Assembly, while the remaining 355-kilometer section from Ngoc Hoi to Gia Nghia is under investment consideration.

There are also 8 cross-routes with a total length of about 1,404 kilometers, including: The completed section in the Central Highlands is only 19 kilometers of the Lien Khuong – Prenn expressway; 117 kilometers of the Khanh Hoa – Buon Ma Thuot expressway are under construction, with 68/117 kilometers expected to be completed by 2025 and the remaining 49 kilometers by the end of 2026; 381 kilometers are in the investment preparation stage, including the Quy Nhon – Pleiku (180 kilometers) and Dau Giay – Lien Khuong (201 kilometers, with investment approval) sections; and the 136-kilometer Kon Tum – Quang Ngai section is under further investment consideration.

Thus, by the end of 2025, the Central Highlands region will have 87 kilometers of expressways, 136 kilometers by 2026, and by 2030, it is expected to have 1,148 kilometers of expressways.