HCMC – The Ministry of Construction has submitted a proposal to the Government to widen 18 sections of the North-South Expressway from four lanes to six under the public-private partnership (PPP).
The North-South Expressway, running about 2,055 kilometers along the eastern side of the country, is designed for six to 12 lanes. Vietnam currently has 1,652 kilometers of expressways in operation. By the end of 2025, around 1,222 kilometers of the network will remain at four lanes, including stretches from Huu Nghi to Chi Lang, Mai Son to Cam Lo, Quang Ngai to Phan Thiet, and My Thuan to Ca Mau, reported the Vietnam News Agency.
The ministry recommended that expansion be prioritized on the Hanoi-HCMC corridor, covering 18 component projects with a combined length of roughly 1,144 kilometers. Sections from My Thuan to Can Tho and Ca Mau, totaling 149 kilometers, are not included in the current plan due to low traffic demand, difficult construction conditions, and limited material supply.
The proposed expansion would cost more than VND152 trillion. For three sections currently operated under build-operate-transfer (BOT) contracts, including Dien Chau-Bai Vot, Nha Trang-Cam Lam, and Cam Lam-Vinh Hao, the ministry has been in discussions with investors.
For the remaining 15 sections built with state funding, estimated at VND126.7 trillion, the ministry is considering investment-sharing options to reduce state spending and attract consortiums of private investors. Special mechanisms may be submitted to the National Assembly at its October 2025 session if required.
Completed state-funded sections, including Cao Bo-Mai Son, Cam Lo-La Son, La Son-Hoa Lien, and Hoa Lien-Tuy Loan, are expected to introduce toll collection. Fees may be integrated with BOT-operated sections to streamline operations and maintenance.
Once basic designs are finalized, construction is projected to take around two years. The expansion program is expected to be carried out between 2026 and 2030, with some sections possibly breaking ground in the second quarter of 2026 and opening to traffic by late 2028.
