The Transport Department of Ho Chi Minh City has organized a workshop to discuss investment in five build-operate-transfer (BOT) transport projects to upgrade and expand existing highways.

The projects are the first ones to be implemented following the National Assembly Resolution 98/2023/QH15 on piloting specific mechanisms and policies for Ho Chi Minh City's development, according to the department.

Their total investment capital is estimated at over VND44.5 trillion ($1.97 billion).

Under the implementation plan issued by the municipal People’s Committee, the projects are scheduled to begin in the fourth quarter of 2025 and be put into operation from 2027 onwards.

Projects include upgrading and expanding National Highway No. 13 from Binh Trieu Bridge to the border with southern Binh Duong province, and National Highway No. 1 from King Duong Vuong Road to the border with the Mekong Delta’s Long An province.

Other projects will upgrade and expand National Highway No. 22 from the An Suong intersection to Ring Road No. 3, and the North-South axial road from Nguyen Van Linh Avenue to the Ben Luc-Long Thanh Expressway.

The final project will build Binh Tien Bridge and access road from Pham Van Chi Avenue to Nguyen Van Linh Avenue.

Municipal authorities will appraise the projects’ feasibility studies and approve investment policies in the second and third quarters of this year.

Investors are expected to be selected in the third quarter of 2025.