The Ultimate Guide to Cà Mau’s Transformation: Unveiling the Mega Projects, from Vietnam’s Longest Sea-Crossing Bridge to the 15,000 Billion VND Port

On August 19th, the Ministry of Defense, in collaboration with the People’s Committee of Ca Mau province, organized a groundbreaking ceremony for several key projects: the Ca Mau – Dat Mui Expressway, the connecting road from Ca Mau Cape to Hon Khoai Island, and the Hon Khoai dual-use port. These projects are part of over 250 constructions and investments launched simultaneously across the nation on this day.

The Ca Mau – Dat Mui Expressway, with a length of approximately 93km, is divided into two sections: Ca Mau – Cai Nuoc (42km) and Cai Nuoc – Dat Mui (over 50km). Designed as a Class A highway, it will feature four lanes, an emergency stopping lane, and a 24.75m wide road foundation. The project is expected to be completed by 2028.

At the end of the Cai Nuoc – Dat Mui road lies the connecting road to Hon Khoai Island, spanning over 18km, including a 17km-long sea-crossing bridge. Designed with four lanes and built to plain road grade 3 standards, it will have a designed speed of 80km/h. Once completed, it will be the longest sea-crossing bridge in Vietnam and the third-longest in Southeast Asia.

In tandem, the Hon Khoai dual-use port, located between Hon Khoai and Hon Sao islands, will be constructed on a total area of nearly 629 hectares. With an investment of over VND 15,000 billion, the port will have a 1,000-meter-long pier, accommodating vessels up to 250,000 DWT. This project is expected to be a significant boost for Ca Mau’s integration into the international logistics map.

Additionally, Ca Mau also commenced the expansion and upgrade of Ca Mau Airport, invested by the Vietnam Airports Corporation (ACV), with a total investment of approximately VND 2,400 billion. Other projects include the Social Housing Project in Ward 5, An Xuyen Ward; the Bac Lieu Sports Center Project in Bac Lieu Ward; and the upgrade and expansion of the Ca Mau – Dam Doi route in Hoa Thanh Ward.

Concurrently, the inauguration of significant projects in Ca Mau took place, including the Social Housing Project in Ward 1, invested by T&T Group; the Bac Lieu Sports Complex Project; and the upgrade and expansion of the Ca Mau – Dam Doi route.

These projects and constructions are a testament to the profound attention given by the Party and State to the development of Ca Mau. They also reflect the unity and determination of the political system, the business community, and the people of Ca Mau in building and developing their homeland.

Speaking at the ceremony, General Phan Van Giang, Minister of Defense, emphasized the strategic importance of Ca Mau, located at the southernmost tip of the country. With its unique advantages, Ca Mau plays a crucial role in national defense and security and contributes significantly to the economic development of the Mekong Delta region.

The Minister affirmed that the construction of the Ca Mau – Dat Mui Expressway, the Hon Khoai connecting road, and the Hon Khoai dual-use port holds exceptional significance. These projects aim to seamlessly connect the North-South expressway to Dat Mui, link the mainland to Hon Khoai Island, and materialize the vision of developing Hon Khoai into the “Southernmost Continent” of Vietnam in the coming years. They also align with the strategic orientation of the nation and Ca Mau province, as guided by the General Secretary during his visit to Ca Mau in November 2024.

Following the Prime Minister’s instructions, the Ministry of Defense has assigned army corps and military-owned corporations to prepare for the immediate implementation of these projects. The units have been instructed to demonstrate three determinations and three readiness levels.

Firstly, the determination to complete the projects on schedule and ensure their early effectiveness. Secondly, the determination to guarantee the quality of the constructions, adhering to standards, norms, and legal regulations. Thirdly, the determination to apply advanced technologies and ensure absolute safety during the construction process.

In terms of readiness, the units are prepared to mobilize their maximum capacity in terms of human resources, machinery, and equipment, utilizing the most modern technology to execute the projects with the highest quality and in the shortest time frame. They are also ready to work tirelessly, even during holidays and inclement weather conditions, embodying the spirit of “eating hastily and sleeping briskly” and overcoming all challenges to meet the deadlines.

Furthermore, they are prepared to ensure comprehensive support in terms of finances, logistics, and technical aspects. They will proactively source materials and adopt efficient and cost-effective technical solutions to handle any situation that may arise during construction.

To ensure the successful execution of these tasks, the Minister of Defense expressed his hope for continued guidance and support from the Party and State leadership, as well as coordination from central ministries, the Ca Mau provincial authorities, and the local people, especially those residing in the project areas. With this collective effort, it is expected that the Ca Mau – Dat Mui Expressway will be completed by December 31, 2028, and the connecting road to Hon Khoai Island and the Hon Khoai port will be finished in the first half of 2029.