“North Bac Kan Takes Charge of the Bac Kan-Cao Bang Expressway Project”

The People’s Committee of Bac Kan Province has submitted Official Dispatch No. 161/TTr-UBND to the Prime Minister and the Ministry of Construction, proposing that the People’s Committee of Thai Nguyen Province (new) be assigned as the implementing agency for the investment project of the Bac Kan-Cao Bang Expressway.

The Bac Kan-Cao Bang Expressway is a Group A project with a total length of approximately 87.30 km. The section passing through Bac Kan Province is about 58.75 km long, while the section in Cao Bang Province is about 28.55 km long. The expressway is designed according to TCVN 5729:2012 standards, with an 80-grade highway and a designed speed of 80 km/h.

The preliminary total investment for the project is estimated at VND 29,893,555 billion. Specifically, the section in Bac Kan Province is VND 18,535,887 billion, and the section in Cao Bang Province is VND 11,357,668 billion.

According to the proposal by the People’s Committee of Bac Kan Province, the suggestion to assign the People’s Committee of Thai Nguyen Province (new) as the managing agency for the project is based on current regulations, especially the Public Investment Law of 2019 and the National Assembly’s Decree No. 58/2024/QH15. Assigning a competent agency at the central or local level is in line with the regulations.

During the investment preparation process, the People’s Committee of Bac Kan Province has closely coordinated with relevant central ministries and local authorities. In the minutes of the meeting on November 10, 2023, the People’s Committees of both Bac Kan and Cao Bang Provinces agreed on the investment policy for this project.

Previously, on October 11, 2023, the People’s Committees of Bac Kan and Cao Bang Provinces agreed to divide the project into two parts, with each province implementing the section passing through its locality and then consolidating for submission to the competent authority. Bac Kan Province acted as the focal point during the working process and proposed the project to the Prime Minister and relevant central ministries.

In terms of implementation capacity, after the merger of Bac Kan and Thai Nguyen Provinces on July 1, 2025, the new administrative unit will have a larger economic scale and more abundant resources.

Notably, the province has been the investor of key transportation projects such as the route from Bac Kan City to Ba Be Lake connecting to Na Hang (Tuyen Quang Province) with a total capital of nearly VND 3,837 billion, and the road linking Thai Nguyen-Bac Giang-Vinh Phuc provinces valued at nearly VND 4,000 billion. There’s also the Ring Road 5 project connecting Phu Binh District (Thai Nguyen Province) with Tan Yen District (Bac Giang Province). These projects have ensured progress and good disbursement, demonstrating the province’s capacity in organizing and managing large-scale projects.

Moreover, Bac Kan Province has completed the pre-feasibility study report and is ready for the next steps. Given the complex terrain and the longest section of the route passing through Bac Kan, assigning Bac Kan as the investor will facilitate site clearance, technical coordination, and resource mobilization.

The selection of Bac Kan (Thai Nguyen Province after the merger) as the managing agency for the Bac Kan-Cao Bang Expressway is a feasible option, in line with legal regulations and practical implementation. It will contribute to promoting regional connectivity and socio-economic development in the northern midlands and mountainous areas.

The Bac Kan-Cao Bang Expressway is one of the five expressways that the Government has agreed to assign to local authorities as managing agencies according to Official Dispatch No. 611/TTg-CN dated May 28, 2025.