The People’s Committee of Dak Lak Province has recently submitted a proposal to the Ministry of Construction regarding the implementation plan for the North-South Western Expressway (CT02) section from Pleiku to Buon Ma Thuot and Gia Nghia.
According to the proposal, this strategic infrastructure project will connect three provinces: Gia Lai, Dak Lak, and Lam Dong. Two companies, Anpha Seven Group Joint Stock Company (HNX: DL1) and Duc Long Gia Lai Group Joint Stock Company (HoSE: DLG), have been nominated to undertake the project.
The People’s Committee of Dak Lak Province emphasizes that the early investment in this expressway is of utmost importance, aligning with the national infrastructure plan and meeting the development needs of the region. It is identified as a backbone infrastructure axis, enhancing inter-regional connectivity between the Central Highlands and major economic hubs in the South Central Coast and Southeast regions, while also strengthening national defense and security.
Upon completion, the expressway is expected to create a seamless transportation corridor, significantly reducing travel time, lowering logistics costs, and improving the capacity for goods transportation, particularly for the region’s key agricultural products. The project is also seen as a catalyst for attracting investment in key sectors such as processing, trade services, and tourism.
The North-South Western Expressway section from Pleiku to Buon Ma Thuot and Gia Nghia spans approximately 257 km, passing through three Central Highlands provinces: Gia Lai (nearly 57 km), Dak Lak (over 125 km), and Lam Dong (nearly 75 km). The first phase of the project will be developed with a complete 4-lane scale, a roadbed width of 24.75 meters, and a design speed of 100 km/h.
The total investment is estimated at nearly 77 trillion VND, implemented through a public-private partnership (PPP) model. Investors will contribute 30%, while the state budget will support 70% due to the challenging economic conditions in the Central Highlands and the low potential for fee-based revenue recovery.
The total investment for the North-South Western Expressway is projected at nearly 77 trillion VND.
In October 2025, Duc Long Gia Lai Group submitted a proposal to the Prime Minister, seeking approval for the company to prepare the project proposal and suggesting one of the three provinces—Gia Lai, Dak Lak, or Lam Dong—as the competent state authority to lead the implementation.
Previously, in May 2024, the Ministry of Transport (now the Ministry of Construction) sent a document to the People’s Committees of the former Dak Lak and Gia Lai provinces regarding the investment study for the North-South Western Expressway passing through their territories.
According to the Prime Minister’s approved decision, the North-South Western Expressway runs through the provinces of Kon Tum, Gia Lai, Dak Lak, and Dak Nong, comprising three main sections: Ngoc Hoi – Pleiku (90 km), Pleiku – Buon Ma Thuot (160 km), and Buon Ma Thuot – Gia Nghia (105 km). All three sections are planned for a 6-lane scale and are targeted for investment before 2030.
The Ministry of Construction asserts that early investment in the Ngoc Hoi – Pleiku, Pleiku – Buon Ma Thuot, and Buon Ma Thuot – Gia Nghia sections during the 2021–2030 period is essential to ensure seamless connectivity with ongoing expressway projects such as Khanh Hoa – Buon Ma Thuot and Gia Nghia – Chon Thanh, fostering regional integration between the Central Highlands, the South Central Coast, and the Southeast.
Duc Long Gia Lai is a diversified enterprise operating in real estate, wood processing, energy, and electronic components. The period from 2016 to 2018 was considered its golden era, with annual revenues ranging from 2,000 to 3,000 billion VND.
However, since 2020, the company’s business results have declined due to substantial debt eroding profits. Auditors have repeatedly expressed concerns about the company’s ability to continue operating, and its stocks have been placed under warning by HoSE.
Notably, Duc Long Gia Lai’s proposal to invest in the North-South Western Expressway project comes at a time when the company is burdened with accumulated losses exceeding 2.4 trillion VND and total liabilities of over 3.7 trillion VND (as of June 30, 2025).
These factors have led auditors to issue warnings regarding the company’s ability to continue operations.
Duc Long Gia Lai’s leadership has stated that the company is implementing a series of measures, including corporate restructuring, debt renegotiation with banks and creditors, and expanding investments to seek partners, aiming to improve its financial situation in the near future.
Additionally, Duc Long Gia Lai faces significant risks from its financial lending activities. The company has lent over 2 trillion VND but has had to provision 929 billion VND. The largest loan, nearly 800 billion VND, was provided to DLGL Industrial Crops and Forest Planting Joint Stock Company, with provisions alone amounting to 711 billion VND.
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