The People’s Committee of Phu Tho Province has submitted a proposal to the Ministry of Construction, requesting the inclusion of the Viet Tri – Hoa Binh Expressway in the Road Network Plan for the 2021-2030 period, with a vision to 2050. This proposal serves as the foundation for the People’s Committee to initiate investment preparations for the Viet Tri – Hoa Binh Expressway project, as directed by the Prime Minister (with project approval expected in Q2/2026).
According to the proposal, the Viet Tri – Hoa Binh Expressway will span approximately 42 km, starting at the intersection with Expressway CT.02 (Ho Chi Minh Highway through Viet Tri) and ending at the connection with Expressway CT.03 (Hoa Binh – Moc Chau Expressway). The road is planned to be constructed to expressway standards, with a minimum of four lanes and a design speed of 100 km/h. The investment period is anticipated to be from 2026 to 2030.
The leadership of the Phu Tho People’s Committee emphasized that this proposal aligns with the national development goals outlined in the National Master Plan and the infrastructure development direction within the Northern Midlands and Mountainous Region Plan. Once approved and included in the plan, the province will proceed with construction as required by the Government.
Under the current Road Network Plan, traveling from Viet Tri to Hoa Binh in Phu Tho Province involves two routes: the Noi Bai – Lao Cai Expressway, Ring Road 5, and the Hoa Lac – Hoa Binh Road, totaling approximately 120 km; or the Van Lang Bridge – National Highway 32 and Provincial Road 317G – National Highway 70B, spanning around 80 km.
Both routes are lengthy, with narrow sections passing through densely populated areas, resulting in low traffic capacity and failing to stimulate investment and socio-economic development. Additionally, Phu Tho Province currently lacks a road of sufficient scale to connect the Noi Bai – Lao Cai Expressway with the Hoa Binh – Son La Expressway.
Presently, Phu Tho Province only has the Ho Chi Minh Highway, which connects from IC9 Junction on the Noi Bai – Lao Cai Expressway via Ngoc Thap Bridge to National Highway 32 in Tam Nong Commune, with a length of approximately 19 km. However, this road has not been developed to expressway standards and is insufficient for directly connecting major expressways in the region.
Given this context, the Phu Tho People’s Committee deems the inclusion of the Viet Tri – Hoa Binh Expressway in the plan essential. The expressway will not only meet the demand for high-speed, safe, and continuous transportation but also contribute to socio-economic development, tourism, and services.
Specifically, the project will link urban areas and tourist centers in the Northwest sub-region with the Red River Delta and the North Central Coast sub-region, fostering development in challenging areas while enhancing the efficiency of Expressways CT.03, CT.02, and Noi Bai – Lao Cai.
The project will play a crucial role in completing the connection between the Noi Bai – Lao Cai Expressway and the Hoa Binh – Son La Expressway, as well as linking to Hanoi via Thach Dong Bridge (on Ho Chi Minh Highway) as planned. This will create a synchronized connection between Phu Tho Province’s regions, Hanoi, and the northern mountainous provinces.
