Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony, Mr. Truong Viet Dong, Chairman of the Board of Members of VEC, stated that the Noi Bai – Lao Cai expressway is the longest in Vietnam, spanning 245 kilometers. Since its operation began in 2014, vehicle traffic has steadily increased, placing significant pressure on the Yen Bai – Lao Cai segment. Expanding this section is crucial to align with the Noi Bai – Yen Bai segment and meet the growing transportation demands.
Mr. Dong emphasized, “Despite the tight preparation schedule, with the close guidance of the Government, the support from the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Construction, and the cooperation from Lao Cai province, VEC has successfully completed all procedures and is ready to execute the project. We are committed to upholding responsibility, unity, creativity, and determination to ensure timely completion and synchronized operation of the entire route by the end of 2026.”
Mr. Truong Viet Dong – Chairman of the Board of Members of VEC. Photo: Loc Lien.
VEC’s leadership highlighted that once the Yen Bai – Lao Cai segment becomes operational, the project will not only alleviate traffic congestion but also significantly boost trade, tourism, and logistics along the Kunming – Lao Cai – Hanoi – Hai Phong economic corridor. It will also play a vital role in modernizing transportation infrastructure and connecting the Northern Midlands and Mountainous regions with the rest of the country.
The expansion project of the Yen Bai – Lao Cai expressway covers over 120 kilometers, starting at Km123+080 (IC13, Yen Bai) and ending at Km244+155 (IC18, Lao Cai). According to the approved plan, the segment will be expanded from 2 lanes to 4 lanes, aligning with the already operational Noi Bai – Yen Bai segment.
The Yen Bai – Lao Cai segment of the Noi Bai – Lao Cai expressway currently has 2 lanes, which will be upgraded to 4 lanes after expansion. Photo: Sy Luc.
The total investment is nearly 7.7 trillion VND, with 3 trillion VND from the state budget and the remainder mobilized by VEC. The project is scheduled for substantial completion in 2026.
The project will expand the foundation, road surface, and add structures along the route to meet the expressway standards with a design speed of 80 km/h. The road surface will be widened from 2 to 4 lanes, with a roadbed width of 24 meters; existing culverts will be extended, and the old road surface will be renovated to ensure safe operation.
The expanded Yen Bai – Lao Cai segment will include a new IC15 interchange (at Km165+690) in a T-shape, enhancing connectivity. Additionally, 43 bridges will be expanded to meet standards, and a new 530-meter tunnel with 3 lanes in one direction will be constructed. The project will also install an intelligent transportation system (ITS) across the entire route, including surveillance cameras, a data center, and an ETC toll collection system.
Upon completion, the project will enhance traffic capacity, ensure road safety, promote socio-economic development, and strengthen security and defense in the northern mountainous region.
Unlocking Progress: Over 7.6 Trillion VND Invested to Eliminate Bottlenecks on the Noi Bai – Lao Cai Expressway
With a total investment of over 7.6 trillion VND, the expansion project of the Yên Bái – Lào Cai expressway segment, part of the Nội Bài – Lào Cai highway, is poised to eliminate the critical bottleneck, standardize the entire route to four lanes, and unlock unprecedented growth for cross-border trade and tourism in the Northwest region.
