Government Office Issues Critical Directive Following Unprecedented Proposal by Son Hai, Deo Ca, Truong Thinh Corporations

Conclusion of the Standing Government Committee

The Government Office issued Announcement No. 516/TB-VPCP on September 26, 2025, detailing the conclusions of the Standing Government Committee during a meeting on researching investment to expand sections of the North-South Eastern Expressway under the public-private partnership (PPP) model.

According to the announcement, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh chaired the meeting at the Government Headquarters to discuss the expansion of the North-South Eastern Expressway segments through PPPs.

The Standing Government Committee commended the Ministry of Construction for proactively proposing the investment plan to expand these expressway sections via PPPs.

The committee emphasized that while 24 segments were initially planned for PPP investment, only three have been successfully implemented. However, there is now significant interest from numerous investors, which is a positive development.

To ensure the overall effectiveness of the investment, the committee stressed the need for thorough research and multiple proposals. Detailed calculations are essential to safeguard state interests, prevent financial losses, and avoid corruption or misconduct.

The Ministry of Construction has proposed prioritizing the expansion of segments to six lanes as per the master plan, starting with the Hanoi – Ho Chi Minh City section, approximately 1,144 km long.

Expansion plans for the My Thuan – Can Tho – Ca Mau segment (149 km) are on hold due to low transportation demand and construction challenges.

The North-South Eastern Expressway spans about 2,055 km, with 1,652 km already operational and 388 km under construction (2021-2025), primarily as four-lane roads.

By the end of 2025, approximately 1,222 km of four-lane expressways will remain limited, concentrated in segments such as Huu Nghi – Chi Lang, Mai Son – Cam Lo, Quang Ngai – Phan Thiet, and My Thuan – Ca Mau.

To mobilize social resources, the Ministry of Construction confirmed that the project will proceed under the PPP model, utilizing Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) contracts. Following the issuance of Resolution 68 by the Politburo on private economic development, 10 companies have expressed interest in participating.

10 Investors Propose Expansion of the Entire North-South Eastern Expressway

Previously, the Ministry of Construction sent letters to investors interested in researching and investing in the expansion of the North-South Eastern Expressway via PPPs.

As of August 28, the Ministry of Construction received proposals from 10 domestic investors to expand the entire North-South Eastern Expressway. These include: Vietnam Expressway Corporation (VEC); Vietnam Infrastructure Development and Finance Investment Joint Stock Company (VIDIFI); Deo Ca Group JSC; Son Hai Group LLC; Truong Thinh Group JSC; Construction Investment Corporation 194 JSC; Phuong Thanh Traffic Construction and Investment JSC; Xuan Truong Construction Enterprise; Rang Dong JSC; and LIZEN JSC.

Deo Ca Group submitted Document No. 682/2025/ĐCG to the Prime Minister, proposing to expand the entire North-South Eastern Expressway from four to six lanes. This proposal covers all 19 sub-projects within the expressway, totaling 1,241 km, which have been or are being invested in during the 2017-2025 period.

Additionally, Mr. Nguyen Viet Hai, Chairman of Son Hai Group, submitted a proposal to the Prime Minister to invest in the complete expansion of the 263 km Hoai Nhon – Nha Trang segment using 100% investor capital.

Vietnam Infrastructure Development and Finance Investment Joint Stock Company (VIDIFI) communicated to the Prime Minister and the Ministry of Construction their interest in prioritizing investment in northern segments, including Mai Son – National Highway 45, National Highway 45 – Nghi Son, Nghi Son – Dien Chau, Bai Vot – Ham Nghi, Ham Nghi – Vung Ang, and Vung Ang – Bung. These segments total approximately 300 km, with an estimated investment of 45,375 billion VND.

Truong Thinh Group proposed to the Prime Minister to undertake the expansion of the Bung – Cam Lo segment under the PPP model.

Phuong Thanh Traffic Construction and Investment JSC proposed to research and invest in expanding two critical segments: Phan Thiet – Dau Giay (99 km) and Vung Ang – Bung – Van Ninh (104 km). The estimated investments for these segments are 4,381 billion VND and 15,946 billion VND, respectively.