Upgrades to National Highway No. 18C connecting the Mong Cai border gate economic zone with the Bac Phong Sinh border gate economic zone in northern Quang Ninh province officially opened to traffic on September 1, according to local authorities.

The project extends 35.26 km and consisted of two phases. Total investment capital was VND671 billion ($27.96 million), and the link has a speed limit of 60 km/h.

Construction of the first phase, with a length of 15 km, began in 2016 and was put into operation in 2020.

Construction of the second phase kicked off in January 2022.

The project helps shorten travel times between the two border gate economic zones from one and a half hours to 25 minutes.

It is aimed at completing traffic infrastructure for socio-economic development in border gate economic zones and to contribute to boosting provincial development.