Vietnam’s transport and construction sectors have pulled out all stops to reach the ambitious target of completing 3,000 km of expressways before this year comes to a close, accelerating progress on key sites, enforcing stricter timelines, and tackling bottlenecks head-on from the central to local levels.

Despite facing formidable challenges, from adverse weather to site clearance delays and material shortages, the first half of 2025 saw encouraging results. According to the Ministry of Construction (MoC), the total value of expressway construction completed during this timeframe stood at VND66.532 trillion ($2.56 billion), underscoring the concerted push across government levels to keep the country’s infrastructure agenda on track.

Speeding up

The MoC completed procedures to launch five expressway projects totaling 271 km in the first half. On August 19, another three projects - Dau Giay to Tan Phu, Section 3 of Hanoi’s Ring Road 4, and Gia Nghia to Chon Thanh - are set to break ground, adding 302 km to the network.

Several key routes are also scheduled to open around the same time, pushing the total length of Vietnam’s expressways to 2,476 km. These include Vung Ang-Bung (55 km), Van Ninh-Cam Lo (66 km), the final 13 km of the Van Phong-Nha Trang link, and sections of Quang Ngai-Hoai Nhon, Hoai Nhon-Quy Nhon, and Quy Nhon-Chi Thanh projects.

According to the Ministry, the completion and operation of these expressways mark a critical milestone in the country’s infrastructure race, laying the foundation to meet the target of at least 3,000 km of expressways in operation by the end of 2025. Meanwhile, several projects initially slated for 2026 are being fast-tracked by four to five months.

Still, it warned that some large-scale and technically-complex projects face potential delays, especially amid this year’s prolonged wet season. High-risk sections under close watch include Sections 3 and 5 of Ho Chi Minh City’s Ring Road 3, the 16-km Bien Hoa-Vung Tau section (Phase 1, led by Dong Nai province), and the Tuyen Quang-Ha Giang route.

Strong progress

As Vietnam intensifies its expressway development efforts, Dong Nai province remains a standout performer in site clearance and infrastructure delivery. According to Mr. Vo Tan Duc, Chairman of the Dong Nai Provincial People’s Committee, the province has fully cleared and handed over land for two major projects: Long Thanh International Airport and Ho Chi Minh City Ring Road 3. For the Bien Hoa-Vung Tau expressway, site clearance has been completed for Component 2 and reached 99 per cent in Component 1, with the remainder expected to be delivered by August 2025.

Elsewhere, progress is moving steadily. For the Ben Luc-Long Thanh project, Dong Nai has nearly completed land inventory and is now determining compensation rates. On the Ho Chi Minh City-Thu Dau Mot-Chon Thanh route (with 6.6 km through Dong Nai), the province has inventoried all 257 land plots, handed over nearly 20 ha, and is finalizing compensation to clear the remaining area. Out of 72 ha needed, local authorities aim to complete all procedures promptly to stay on track for construction.

In the north, the Huu Nghi-Chi Lang expressway, a key corridor linking Lang Son to Hanoi, is entering its final stages. Contractors have mobilized 2,647 workers and 1,213 pieces of equipment at 141 sites. According to a project representative, the completed work has reached VND2.15 trillion ($82.7 million), or 43 per cent of the contract value, with plans to pave 50.6 out of 59.57 km this year.

However, the project is still hampered by fragmented land access, with 102 households yet to relocate and 32 technical infrastructure sites unresolved, including electricity, telecoms, railway signals, and water pipes. To address delays, the contractor has formed a task force to support relocation, level the ground, and provide advance capital where needed.

Heavy seasonal rains are also challenging construction timelines, requiring flexible scheduling. Contractors are seizing favorable weather windows and stockpiling materials in advance. General contractor the Deo Ca Group has revised plans, optimized deployment, and introduced weekly targets for each section, to ensure progress.

In central Vietnam, work on the Vung Ang-Bung expressway is in full swing. At Bridge No.1, a 942-meter structure spanning mountainous terrain, contractor 479 Hoa Binh is completing key components like railings and expansion joints. With 22 spans installed and 500 meters already paved, the team is racing to meet the mid-August target for technical handover.

Still, Project Management Board No. 6 under the MoC has warned of delays due to sand shortages. Contractors, consultants, and the investor are coordinating to revise designs and construction methods to make up time, per government directives.

In the Mekong Delta, Components 2, 3, and 4 of the Chau Doc-Can Tho-Soc Trang expressway are progressing under Can Tho’s Project Management Board for Transport and Agriculture. As of late July, completion across these packages ranged from 39 per cent to 46 per cent, with Component 3 leading with 45.83 per cent. Contractors are simultaneously working on 24 bridges along the route, aiming to complete them within the third quarter.

However, roadbed works are behind schedule due to a shortfall of 6.94 million cu m of sand and 1.16 million cu m of stone, with no confirmed sources at this time. Can Tho has requested permission for contractors to exploit local mineral resources and proposed reallocating sand from Can Tho-Ca Mau expressway sites.

To reduce reliance on sand, a new technique using cement-soil piles is being piloted in areas with weak soil, allowing faster ground treatment while maintaining structural quality.

In Tay Ninh, preparations are underway for the 78-km section of Ring Road 4 passing through the province, with total investment nearing VND68.3 trillion ($2.63 billion). The province has marked clearance boundaries and prepared a resettlement plan covering 74.9 ha with nearly 3,400 plots. However, several sites are not aligned with zoning plans, prompting local authorities to conduct 1:500 detailed planning to avoid delays in clearance and resettlement.

No delays, no excuses

Speaking at the meeting to review the first half of 2025 held by the State Steering Committee for Nationally Significant Projects and Key Transport Infrastructure, in conjunction with a midterm review of the 500-day emulation campaign to complete 3,000 km of expressways by 2025, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh emphasized that the goal is a strategic target that requires strong, coordinated, and substantive engagement from the entire political system. With just over four months remaining this year, ministries, sectors, and local authorities must act more decisively, avoiding formality, delays, and irresponsibility, the Prime Minister urged.

He directed the MoC to stay focused on completing key legislative tasks such as amendments to the Law on Construction, the Law on Housing, and the Law on Real Estate Business. At the same time, the Ministry should review and update unit prices and norms, and accelerate decentralization to empower local authorities, streamline procedures, and enhance initiative in project implementation.

Site clearance was singled out as a critical task. The Prime Minister stressed that commune-level governments, being the closest to the people, must play an active role and closely coordinate with project management boards and relevant departments to resolve issues at the grassroots level, avoiding bottlenecks being escalated to higher levels.

He also called on project owners and management boards to tighten control over timelines, construction quality, workplace safety, and environmental compliance. Acceptance and payment for completed work must be conducted properly and promptly. Delayed sections must be publicly identified, subject to field inspections, and accountability clearly assigned.

Local leaders must bear full responsibility for progress within their jurisdictions. Timely implementation is not just a technical matter but a reflection of local governance capacity and commitment to national priorities.

The Prime Minister affirmed that with unity from the central to local levels, the transport–construction sector has a solid foundation to meet the target on time. Successfully delivering the 3,000 km of expressways would be a clear testament to Vietnam’s ability to lead, organize, and coordinate major strategic infrastructure projects.