HCMC – Vietnam plans to expand its expressway network to about 8,923 kilometers by 2050 under a national road infrastructure development plan approved by the Ministry of Construction.
The decision approves the road infrastructure master plan for 2021–2030, with a long-term vision to 2050. It sets out 43 expressway routes nationwide.
Two north–south expressways form the backbone of the network. The eastern North–South Expressway is planned to span about 2,065 km, while the western route will run about 1,205 km.
Northern Vietnam is set to have 14 expressway routes with a combined length of around 2,242 km. Central Vietnam and the Central Highlands will have 11 routes totaling about 1,353 km. The southern region will also have 11 routes, with a total length of roughly 1,342 km.
Under the long-term plan, Hanoi City will have three beltways stretching about 417 km by 2050. HCMC will have two beltways with a combined length of around 299 km.
The plan also outlines the national highway system. By 2050, Vietnam is expected to have 172 national highways with a total length of about 28,614 km.
Key north–south highways include National Highway 1, at about 2,218 km, and the Ho Chi Minh Road, at roughly 1,894 km.
Land demand for road development is estimated at more than 200,000 hectares. Total investment needs are projected at over VND3.2 quadrillion, to be mobilized from the state budget, government bonds, official development assistance, non-state capital, and other lawful sources.
According to the Ministry of Construction, decisions on expressway expansion, national highway upgrades, and bypass construction will be based on transport demand forecasts and the availability of resources.
