Vietnam’s Remarkable Development and Integration: A Breakthrough in Transportation Infrastructure

Over the past period, in implementing the Resolution of the 13th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam, the Government and local authorities have concentrated all resources on investing in the construction of a synchronized and modern transportation infrastructure system.

In August 2024, the Prime Minister launched a 500-day high-point emulation campaign to complete 3,000 km of highways by the end of 2025. At that time, according to statistics from the Ministry of Transport (now the Ministry of Construction), the country had only about 2,100 km of highways, meaning approximately 1,000 km needed to be completed in just over a year.

Investing in a Series of Projects

In recent years, facing increasing traffic congestion, Ho Chi Minh City has focused all resources on investing in a series of key projects to expand urban development space, strengthen regional connectivity, and promote socio-economic growth.

In reality, many projects have demonstrated significant effectiveness upon completion. Notably, Vo Van Kiet – Mai Chi Tho Avenue, the roads along the Nhieu Loc – Thi Nghe Canal (Hoang Sa, Truong Sa), and National Highway 50 have contributed to improving traffic flow, reducing travel time, and facilitating the transportation of goods in and out of the city center.

The Metro Line No. 1 (Ben Thanh – Suoi Tien), which began operation in late 2024, is considered a turning point for public transportation in Ho Chi Minh City. Not only does it reduce pressure on road systems, but it also gradually fosters the habit of using public transport among residents. The city is continuing to accelerate the development of urban railways with 10 metro lines under Resolution 188/2025 of the National Assembly, thereby gradually perfecting a synchronized and modern transportation infrastructure network.

Mr. Nguyen Van Hoa, a resident of Linh Xuan Ward, Ho Chi Minh City, shared that previously, the journey from Suoi Tien to the city center was often congested, sometimes taking him over an hour by car. “Since Metro Line No. 1 started operating, travel time has significantly decreased, and I no longer worry about traffic jams or weather conditions. The cost is also more reasonable,” he noted.

Regarding regional connectivity, the completion of Nhon Trach Bridge (part of Component Project 1 of Ring Road 3) is seen as a positive signal, opening a new connection between Ho Chi Minh City and Dong Nai, helping to share traffic flow with the Ho Chi Minh City – Long Thanh – Dau Giay Expressway. Additionally, the Ho Chi Minh City – Trung Luong – My Thuan Expressway continues to serve as a vital transportation artery connecting Ho Chi Minh City with provinces in the Mekong Delta.

Mr. Le Van Thanh, a representative of a transportation company operating the Vinh Long – Ho Chi Minh City route, mentioned that previously, goods transportation was often delayed due to traffic jams on National Highway 1. Since the synchronized operation of the Ho Chi Minh City – Trung Luong – My Thuan Expressway, transportation time has significantly decreased, with vehicles running more smoothly and fewer stops. Businesses are also more proactive in delivery plans, reducing fuel costs and vehicle wear.

According to Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee Nguyen Van Duoc, during the 2020-2025 period, the city prioritized attracting resources to develop infrastructure and build a smart city. Ho Chi Minh City has initiated, re-initiated, accelerated progress, and completed many key transportation projects, enhancing regional connectivity and linking dynamic axes. The city’s urban infrastructure continues to be planned and developed in a multi-centered direction.

Opening Routes, Clearing Roads

The year 2025 marks a significant milestone in the development of national infrastructure. The Ministry of Construction has focused intensely on key projects, creating noticeable changes in scale, progress, and investment efficiency.

In the road sector, by the end of 2025, the country had completed 3,345 km of main highways, 458 km of interchanges and access roads, bringing the total length of highways to 3,803 km. Additionally, 1,586 km of national highways and 1,701 km of coastal roads were also completed. The opening of the entire North-South Expressway from Cao Bang to Ca Mau is a strategically significant event, forming a continuous highway axis that promotes regional connectivity, reduces logistics costs, and expands national economic development space.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Chung, Chairman of the Vietnam Association of Road Transport Investors (VARSI), believes that completing over 3,000 km of highways by 2025 demonstrates a clear breakthrough, not only in policies and mechanisms but also from contractors.

Mr. Tran Chung highly appreciates the decisive approach of the entire political system in developing transportation infrastructure over the past period. Relevant parties have directly addressed practical issues to identify shortcomings and propose decisive solutions, such as special mechanisms for exploiting construction material mines and bidding processes.

Furthermore, the remarkable development of science and technology in road construction has been notable. According to Mr. Chung, investors and contractors recognize the development opportunities from highway projects, so they have actively applied modern science and technology, invested in equipment and machinery, and introduced many innovative construction methods.

Mr. Nguyen Hai Vinh, Deputy General Director of Thang Long Construction Corporation, views highway projects as practical environments for training enterprises and enhancing workforce quality. Through large and complex projects, many enterprises have matured and are capable of handling large-scale contracts worth thousands of billions of dong.

According to Deputy Minister of Construction Le Anh Tuan, the goal of completing 3,000 km of highways was set against a backdrop of numerous challenges, including resource limitations, fluctuating material prices, climate change, and post-COVID-19 difficulties. However, with the decisive involvement of the entire political system, by the end of 2025, over 3,000 km of highways had been put into operation.

“Beyond the numbers, this journey represents a revolution in management thinking, enabling us to open routes and clear roads; it is a training ground that fosters the will and aspirations of the Vietnamese people,” Mr. Tuan emphasized.

A “Visionary” Perspective

Minister of Construction Tran Hong Minh stated that the Government has thoroughly and profoundly implemented the spirit of the 13th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam, focusing on investing in the construction and development of a synchronized and modern transportation infrastructure system.

This task is identified as a central and consistent focus throughout the term. Completing the transportation infrastructure system is both an urgent need to recover and promote economic growth and a long-term strategic goal to enhance national competitiveness, strengthen regional connectivity, and create a solid foundation for sustainable development.

Minister Tran Hong Minh affirmed that 2025 can be considered a special milestone, with the entire country simultaneously organizing three groundbreaking and inauguration ceremonies for over 560 projects with a total investment of more than 5 million billion VND. This vividly demonstrates the determination of the Party and State in promoting investment, viewing infrastructure development as the foundation for rapid and sustainable growth. Notably, the private sector accounts for nearly 75% of the total investment, reflecting increasing business confidence in the investment environment and the government’s leadership role.

Speaking at the groundbreaking, inauguration, and technical opening ceremonies of projects and works celebrating the 14th National Congress of the Party on December 19, 2025, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh emphasized: The implemented projects and works reflect the thinking, vision, and aspirations of the Vietnamese people and nation to “reach out to the vast ocean” and “soar into space.”

According to the Prime Minister, we have also started many projects, laying the first bricks for future works with a “visionary” perspective, such as Gia Binh Airport, Hon Khoai Port, Can Gio Urban Area, the Hong River Landscape Avenue, and the Olympic Sports Urban Area…

(To be continued)

(*) See the January 12 issue of the People’s Daily.