Though 2024 has officially come to an end, the race to disburse public investment capital for the year is far from over, with a final deadline of January 31, 2025, having been set. Driven by determined leaders in the transportation sector, numerous projects are in a high-stakes sprint to meet disbursement targets on time.

As reported by the Ministry of Planning and Investment, as of the end of November, the Ministry of Transport (MoT) had disbursed approximately VND52.75 trillion ($2.11 billion) of an allocated VND75.48 trillion ($3.02 billion), reaching 70 per cent of the plan. Compared to the target of 95 per cent disbursement set by the Prime Minister, the sector faces the urgent task of accelerating construction efforts and making an all-out push in the final stretch to close the gap.

Focus on North-South Expressway

A significant portion of the allocated investment capital is directed towards the eastern North-South Expressway, with the MoT setting an ambitious goal of completing 3,000 km of expressway by the end of this year. At a recent meeting reviewing progress, a representative from the MoT’s Department of Construction Investment Management outlined plans to finish approximately 1,188 km by 2025 across 28 projects, divided into three groups.

The first group, covering 15 projects and totaling 771 km in length, has shown notable progress. Among these are ten sub-projects in the eastern North-South Expressway, 2021-2025 phase, from north-central Ha Tinh to south-central Khanh Hoa provinces, which have reached 64 per cent of contracted construction value. Key sub-projects such as the Bai Vot - Ham Nghi, Ham Nghi - Vung Ang, Bung - Van Ninh, and Van Phong - Nha Trang sections are on track and are even striving to finish three to six months ahead of schedule, targeting significant milestones to celebrate Southern Liberation and National Reunification Day on April 30. Some challenges, however, remain. For instance, land clearance issues persist in central Quang Binh and Quang Tri provinces, while ongoing load testing in certain sections, such as Bai Vot - Ham Nghi, may delay completion to beyond April.

The second group includes eight projects spanning 281 km, and has faced significant difficulties in land clearance and securing construction materials. Projects such as Can Tho - Hau Giang, Hau Giang - Ca Mau, and Cao Lanh - An Huu sections in the Mekong Delta are all grappling with soft soil conditions that require prolonged preloading, while shortages of essential materials like sand are slowing progress. Meanwhile, segments like Hoa Lien - Tuy Loan in the central region and Tuyen Quang - Ha Giang in the north face constraints due to over-the-quota stone extraction.

The third group, encompassing five projects and segments like Phuoc Khanh Bridge in the Ben Luc - Long Thanh project in the south, faces similar challenges in meeting deadlines. Land clearance delays in provinces such as Dong Nai, nearby Binh Duong, and Tuyen Quang have hindered progress. Meanwhile, the Bien Hoa - Vung Tau project in the south has encountered procedural delays in obtaining mining permits, complicating its execution.

Minister of Transport Tran Hong Minh has expressed concern about the slow progress in land clearance and urged local authorities to expedite the process, emphasizing that the timely handover of cleared land is a critical prerequisite. He called for decisive action, particularly in Dong Nai, and assured localities of the Ministry’s support in addressing obstacles within a week of them being reported. The Minister also highlighted the importance of securing materials and ensuring meticulous logistical planning to facilitate uninterrupted construction.

“Our ultimate aim is to ensure that no province with projects contributing to the 3,000-km expressway fails to deliver on time,” he affirmed. “A single bottleneck cannot be allowed to disrupt this critical connection from the north to the south. However, progress must be paired with quality. Inspections and supervision must be rigorous, with all consultants and stakeholders upholding their responsibilities to the highest standards.”

Mekong Delta: A rising highlight

The Mekong Delta is rapidly emerging as a focal point for infrastructure development, with a number of key projects fast-tracking their progress. Many of these will continue throughout the New Year holiday to maintain momentum and contribute to reshaping the region’s infrastructure.

One of the key initiatives is the crucial Can Tho - Ca Mau section of the eastern North-South Expressway, 2021-2025 phase. Stretching over 110 km and with investment exceeding VND27.5 trillion ($1.1 billion), construction got underway in January 2023 and 55 per cent of the project has now been completed. Mr. Tran Van Thi, Director of the My Thuan Project Management Board, said construction will proceed through the holiday to ensure progress in this vital project is maintained.

Another major project in the Delta nearing completion is the cable-stayed Rach Mieu 2 Bridge, which connects Tien Giang and Ben Tre provinces. With a length of 17.6 km, including approaching roads,  and investment of over VND6.81 trillion ($272.4 million), the project began in August 2022 and is slated for completion by December this year. It has now reached 70 per cent of its contracted value. Ground work for the road and access bridges is complete, and 100 per cent of tower construction for Piers P19 and P20, along with 48 of the 112 cable stays, has been installed.

Other infrastructure upgrades are also making steady progress. The upgrades to the Lo Te - Rach Soi Road, which span more than 51 km in Can Tho city and Kien Giang province, has investment of VND750 billion ($30 million). Though construction is only 11 per cent complete, the contractors are committed to continuing the pace throughout the holiday period.

The Cao Lanh - Lo Te Road, a 28.8 km link with investment of VND950 billion ($38 million), is another project where work will continue during the Lunar New Year holiday. The project has achieved 14 per cent of its contracted value, and the goal is to complete it as soon as possible to improve connectivity in the region.

Though the Chau Doc - Can Tho - Soc Trang Expressway, third phase, is not part of projects set to be finished this year, it remains under active construction. Mr. Mai Van Tan, Director of the Hau Giang Provincial Department of Transport, noted that the section passing through the province is nearly 37 km long, with investment exceeding VND9.6 trillion ($384 million). As of now, 27.5 per cent of the work has been completed.

The decision to continue construction during the New Year holiday highlights the dedication of implementing teams and reinforces the importance of these projects in transforming the Mekong Delta’s transportation infrastructure. These efforts will ultimately drive sustainable economic and social development in the region.

Key developments at Long Thanh Airport

In addition to the goal of completing expressway and road routes, the construction of the Long Thanh International Airport mega project in Dong Nai province is busy these days, with hundreds of work sites, around 7,000 specialists, engineers, and workers, and nearly 3,000 pieces of equipment all working to accelerate progress and complete the first phase ahead of schedule.

This is one of Vietnam’s top priority projects, personally entrusted by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh to Minister of Transport Tran Hong Minh, with the responsibility to complete work this year. With a strong sense of responsibility, the new Minister of Transport is fully committed to fulfilling the task set by the Prime Minister.

In a meeting with relevant units regarding project progress, Minister Minh stressed that Long Thanh is not just an ordinary airport but a symbol of the MoT’s prestige and honor as well as a source of pride for the country and its people.

To ensure its timely completion, the MoT has set up a taskforce on-site, providing daily and weekly updates to Ministry leadership. Notably, Minister Minh will personally oversee the project’s detailed progress each month, addressing any obstacles or delays that may arise.

Both the air traffic control tower and the passenger terminal, seen as the “brain” and “heart” of Long Thanh International Airport, have exceeded project timelines. On-site reports indicate that contractors have completed the full reinforced concrete structure for the columns and beams of the passenger terminal. Part of the terminal’s roof framework is also nearly complete.