Vietnam’s Landmark Achievement: A Record-Breaking $320 Billion Investment in a Critical National Project

The 500 kV Lao Cai – Vinh Yen Transmission Line Project is a national key project invested by Vietnam Electricity (EVN), with a total investment of over VND 7,410 billion. The project is managed by the Electricity Project Management Board 1 (EVNPMB 1). The funding is sourced from a Vietcombank loan (80%) and EVN’s counterpart fund (20%).

The 500 kV Lao Cai – Vinh Yen transmission line is a double-circuit line spanning 229.5 km, with 468 tower foundation positions. The project crosses two provinces, Lao Cai and Phu Tho (previously four provinces, including Lao Cai, Yen Bai, Phu Tho, and Vinh Phuc). It starts at the 500 kV Lao Cai Substation and ends at the 500 kV Vinh Yen Substation.

Notably, the project was completed in just over 6 months, nearly 8 months ahead of the approved schedule. According to Pham Hong Phuong, Deputy General Director of EVN, this achievement was made possible by implementing “4 on-site” principles, “3 shifts, 4 teams,” and working “through sun, rain, holidays, and Tet” to ensure continuous construction.

During construction, numerous innovative solutions and advanced technologies were applied for the first time in Vietnam, yielding significant benefits.

For foundation work, contractors mobilized specialized equipment and fully mechanized processes to accelerate excavation, concreting, and ensure technical accuracy and quality as per design requirements.

In tower assembly and stringing, large-capacity cranes were used at multiple locations to erect towers. Innovative techniques were employed to expedite the installation of tubular main towers and crossing towers.

Remarkably, drones were utilized for pilot wire stringing, alongside synchronized hydraulic pulling and braking systems, enabling the simultaneous installation of four large conductors in long spans. This approach not only accelerated construction in challenging terrains like mountains, rivers, and traffic intersections but also ensured safety, environmental protection, and enhanced project quality.

After over 6 months of construction, the project achieved significant milestones: excavating nearly 1.8 million m³ of soil and rock for foundations; pouring approximately 110,000 m³ of concrete with 7,500 tons of steel reinforcement; manufacturing and erecting 55,000 tons of steel towers; and stringing over 6,000 km of cables (including 26 conductor strands, lightning protection wires, and optical fibers).

Deputy Prime Minister Ho Duc Phoc praised the project, stating, “This is a record-breaking, lightning-fast construction pace—a truly proud achievement.”

The rapid completion of this project, despite challenging terrain, complex geology, adverse weather, and large-scale, technically demanding work, demonstrates the electricity sector’s determination, maturity, and remarkable growth. It also highlights local authorities’ efforts in land clearance and ensuring construction conditions.

Once operational, the project will transmit approximately 3,000 MW from hydropower plants in the Northwest region and neighboring provinces to the national grid, enhance electricity imports, and strengthen interconnections within the power system. This will improve the safety and stability of the national grid, reduce transmission losses, and boost EVN’s production and business efficiency.

Vietnam’s socio-economic growth targets require the electricity sector to increase generation capacity by 15-18% annually (8,000-10,000 MW) to meet development and investment demands. Thus, this project is crucial for ensuring national energy security.