HCMC – Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Chi Dung has urged faster work on five key sections of the eastern North-South Expressway to achieve Vietnam’s goal of having 3,000 kilometers of expressway in service by the end of 2025.
According to a directive issued by the Government Office on June 12, Deputy Prime Minister Dung emphasized the importance of completing these sections on schedule.
Between March 9 and 10, Dung led Inspection Team No. 2 to review progress and address obstacles in major traffic infrastructure projects slated for completion this year. The effort follows Prime Ministerial Decision No. 487/QD-TTg issued on March 1.
The five sections under review are part of the 2021–2025 phase of the eastern North-South Expressway. They are Bai Vot–Ham Nghi, Ham Nghi–Vung Ang, Vung Ang–Bung, Bung–Van Ninh, and Van Ninh–Cam Lo. These routes run through the central provinces of Ha Tinh, Quang Binh, and Quang Tri.
As of April 28, three of the five sections—Bai Vot–Ham Nghi, Ham Nghi–Vung Ang, and Bung–Van Ninh—had been opened to traffic, according to the Ministry of Construction. The remaining two—Vung Ang–Bung and Van Ninh–Cam Lo—are scheduled to be opened to traffic before June 30, along with the completion of pending works on the three operational sections.
Despite positive progress, Dung warned that the workload remains heavy and time is limited. He urged the Ministry of Construction, the People’s Committees of Quang Binh and Quang Tri, and relevant stakeholders to urgently accelerate work.
Specifically, provincial governments have been instructed to complete land clearance and hand over the remaining sites for the Bung–Van Ninh and Van Ninh–Cam Lo sections no later than June 20.
The Ministry of Construction has been tasked with directing contractors to ramp up resources, operate in three shifts, and fast-track construction to meet the June 30 deadline for opening the final two sections and finalizing all pending work. The ministry must also ensure that quality standards and technical regulations are strictly followed.
In addition, the ministry is required to closely monitor progress, resolve emerging challenges, and provide timely reports to Deputy Prime Minister Dung, who also heads Inspection Team No. 2.
Vietnam’s North-South Expressway is a national priority aimed at enhancing connectivity, reducing logistics costs, and spurring regional economic development.
