On November 8th, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, Head of the National Steering Committee for Key Transport Projects, chaired the 21st meeting of the Committee. The goal is to complete 3,000 km of expressways by 2025. Minister of Construction Tran Hong Minh reported that Vietnam currently has 2,476 km of expressways, with ongoing efforts to construct the remaining 733 km across 22 projects.
The Ministry of Construction oversees 11 projects totaling 444 km, including Quang Ngai – Hoai Nhon, Hoai Nhon – Quy Nhon, Quy Nhon – Chi Thanh, Chi Thanh – Van Phong, Can Tho – Hau Giang, Hau Giang – Ca Mau, Cao Lanh – Lo Te, Lo Te – Rach Soi, Bien Hoa – Vung Tau (Section 2), Hoa Lien – Tuy Loan, and Ben Luc – Long Thanh. These projects are on track for completion by the end of 2025.
The remaining 11 projects, spanning 289 km and managed by local authorities, include five on schedule: Beltway 3 (Ho Chi Minh City, Sections 1 and 7), Bien Hoa – Vung Tau (Sections 1 and 3), and Khanh Hoa – Buon Ma Thuot (Sections 1 and 3). Six projects face delays, including Beltway 3 (Ho Chi Minh City, Sections 3 and 5), Bien Hoa – Vung Tau (Section 1), Tuyen Quang – Ha Giang, and An Huu – Cao Lanh (Section 1), totaling approximately 158 km.
Notably, the Huu Nghi – Chi Lang and Dong Dang – Tra Linh projects, slated for completion by late 2025, face significant challenges. The Ministry of Construction warns that these projects may not meet deadlines due to substantial remaining work. Construction progress stands at 50% for Huu Nghi – Chi Lang and 43% for Dong Dang – Tra Linh.
Minister Tran Hong Minh attributed delays to extreme weather, including floods, landslides, and prolonged rain in northern mountainous regions (Cao Bang, Lang Son, Tuyen Quang) and central Vietnam. Southern provinces (Dong Nai, Can Tho, Soc Trang, An Giang, Ho Chi Minh City) also experienced extended rainy seasons, hindering roadbase and asphalt paving work, which is highly weather-dependent.
Large-scale projects like Beltway 3 (Ho Chi Minh City), Bien Hoa – Vung Tau, Tuyen Quang – Ha Giang, and Cao Lanh – An Huu (Section 1) will not be fully completed, and the Dong Dang – Tra Linh project may not open its entire surface layer by December 19th.
Minister Minh highlighted the Long Thanh Airport project, which requires significant manpower for equipment installation and coordination to meet the 2025 deadline.
Beyond weather challenges, fluctuating construction material prices, land acquisition issues, and mid-term budget constraints further impede progress.
Intensified Implementation Efforts Required
To meet 2025 targets, Minister Minh urged local authorities to prioritize project completion, directing investors and contractors to maximize resources, equipment, and manpower. Implementing “three shifts, four teams” schedules and overcoming weather obstacles are crucial for completing the remaining 733 km across 22 projects, ensuring the 3,000 km expressway goal and technical openings for all projects by year-end.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh chairs the 21st meeting of the National Steering Committee for Key Transport Projects – Photo: VGP/NB
Contractors must optimize construction plans, increase manpower and machinery, and mitigate rainy season impacts to accelerate progress. Timely acceptance and payment are essential for public investment disbursement, especially in late 2025. Projects slated for inauguration or groundbreaking should be registered with the government via the Ministry of Construction by November 10th, with each organization aiming for at least two qualifying projects.
Localities like Quang Tri, Quang Ngai, Khanh Hoa, Lam Dong, and Dong Nai must resolve land acquisition issues for rest stops along the North-South Expressway by November 2025.
Provinces including Hung Yen, Ninh Binh, Can Tho, An Giang, Vinh Long, Dong Thap, and Ho Chi Minh City should expedite mining permits for construction materials, support project management units and contractors, and flexibly allocate materials among projects under special mechanisms.
Strict price controls on construction materials are necessary to prevent hoarding and price gouging, ensuring market-aligned pricing.
For the delayed Huu Nghi – Chi Lang and Dong Dang – Tra Linh projects, Lang Son and Cao Bang provinces must review progress, address challenges, and intensify construction efforts to meet the December 19th target.
Immediate Adjustments for Large-Scale Projects
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh praised the efforts of all involved parties, emphasizing the potential to surpass the 13th National Party Congress targets (3,000 km of expressways and 1,700 km of coastal roads) by 2025. The Cao Bang – Lang Son – Hanoi – Central Vietnam – Ho Chi Minh City – Ca Mau expressway is expected to open on December 19th.
The Prime Minister called for continued dedication, proactive problem-solving, and clear accountability (“six clarities”: person, task, timeline, responsibility, authority, product). Localities should take ownership (“local decision, local action, local responsibility”) while enhancing capacity and oversight.
Key priorities include completing at least 3,000 km of expressways and 1,700 km of coastal roads by 2025 (Resolution 50/NQ-CP). Construction should proceed relentlessly, with Deputy Prime Ministers overseeing progress and addressing bottlenecks for critical projects like Dong Dang – Tra Linh, Huu Nghi – Chi Lang, and Tuyen Quang – Ha Giang. Contractors must adjust methods, and military/police support may be mobilized as needed.
The Ministry of Construction will monitor coastal road development, reporting to the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha to ensure 1,700 km of coastal roads by year-end.
Upcoming Highway Projects Set to Complete by End of 2025
The Ministry of Construction oversees 11 projects/DATP12 spanning 444 km, with progress on track for completion by the end of 2025. The remaining 11 projects/DATP, totaling 289 km, are managed by local authorities, and 5 out of these 11 are currently adhering to their scheduled timelines.
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