Accelerating the Construction of Son Hai Group’s Proposed Highway: Vietnam’s Most Stunning Mountain-Crossing Project

The People’s Committee of Khanh Hoa Province has recently proposed accelerating the implementation of the Nha Trang – Da Lat Expressway project. This initiative aims to meet the urgent need for infrastructure development and enhance regional connectivity between Khanh Hoa and Lam Dong provinces.

Both provinces have agreed and urged the Ministries of Finance and Construction to promptly submit the project for the Prime Minister’s approval, allowing construction to begin before 2030. The Khanh Hoa People’s Committee has been designated as the authorized agency to oversee the project.

However, the project faces delays due to unresolved legal procedures, preventing it from meeting the necessary conditions for implementation. Consequently, the Khanh Hoa People’s Committee has requested the Government to direct relevant ministries and agencies to expedite the completion of these procedures. This will help accelerate the project’s progress, fostering socio-economic development and ensuring traffic safety on this vital route.

Previously, the Ministry of Construction issued a document guiding the People’s Committees of Khanh Hoa and Lam Dong to finalize the investment proposal dossier under the PPP (Public-Private Partnership) model. The Ministry emphasized that, as the project spans two provinces—44 km in Khanh Hoa and 36.8 km in Lam Dong—a resolution from the Provincial People’s Councils is a mandatory legal requirement before identifying the project’s lead agency.

Regarding the timeline, the 2021-2030 Road Network Plan with a vision to 2050 designates the Nha Trang – Lien Khuong Expressway, with a 4-lane scale, for investment after 2030. However, to address current demands, the Ministry of Construction will instruct relevant agencies to review and adjust the investment schedule accordingly.

A notable aspect of the project is the Khanh Hoa People’s Committee’s proposal for state budget support to cover up to 65% of the total investment, ensuring the project’s feasibility and financial plan. In response, the Ministry of Finance has called on local authorities to enhance their autonomy, prioritize local budget allocation, and reduce reliance on central government support.

Therefore, the Ministry of Construction has requested local authorities to review and proactively balance resources for project investment. In cases of difficulty, local authorities are advised to collaborate with the Ministry of Finance and related agencies to report to higher authorities for consideration and potential central budget support.

According to the investment proposal dossier submitted in October 2024, the Nha Trang – Da Lat Expressway stretches 80.8 km, starting at Dien Tho Commune (Khanh Hoa), connecting with the North-South Eastern Expressway, and ending at the Darahoa intersection (Lam Dong).

The project is planned for single-phase construction with a 4-lane scale, a roadbed width of 22–24.75 meters, and a total investment of over 25,000 billion VND, including construction costs of nearly 18,900 billion VND. The investment preparation phase is expected to take place from 2024 to 2025, with construction starting in 2026 and completion by 2028.

The Nha Trang – Da Lat Expressway is considered a strategically important route, contributing to the economic development of Lam Dong, Khanh Hoa, and Ninh Thuan provinces. Upon completion, the expressway will reduce travel time between Nha Trang and Da Lat to approximately 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours, down from the current 4 hours.