With majority support from delegates, the National Assembly this morning approved the investment policy for three new expressway projects: the Ring Road 4 in Ho Chi Minh City, the Bien Hoa - Vung Tau Phase 1 expressway, and the Quy Nhon - Pleiku expressway.

Special mechanism approved for Ring Road 4 in Ho Chi Minh City

For the Ring Road 4 project, Minister of Construction Tran Hong Minh stated that the route begins at the Toc Tien - Chau Pha intersection (Bien Hoa - Vung Tau expressway, Ba Ria - Vung Tau province) and ends at Hiep Phuoc Port (Nha Be District, Ho Chi Minh City). The total route length is over 207 kilometers, passing through Ho Chi Minh City and the provinces of Ba Ria - Vung Tau, Dong Nai, Binh Duong, and Long An.

According to the Government’s proposal, the road will be designed for a speed of 100 km/h, with a total roadbed width of 74.5 meters. Phase 1 of the project includes a 4-lane expressway with a 25.5-meter roadbed and a design speed of 100 km/h.

Minister Minh noted that the project will use over VND 69.78 trillion (approximately USD 2.75 billion) in state funds, including over VND 29.687 trillion (USD 1.17 billion) from the central government and VND 40.092 trillion (USD 1.58 billion) from local governments. Private investors will contribute an additional VND 50.632 trillion (USD 1.99 billion).

Construction is expected to begin in 2026 and be completed by the end of 2028.

The newly passed resolution allows the project to apply special mechanisms regarding mineral exploitation, such as adjusting extraction volumes, extending mine operation durations, and increasing capacity based on project needs without requiring provincial planning adjustments or investment project approvals.

Ho Chi Minh City is also allowed to apply special mechanisms during the implementation of Ring Road 4’s section from Thu Bien Bridge to the Saigon River under the PPP model.

Bien Hoa - Vung Tau Phase 1 investment increased by VND 3.714 trillion

Also this morning, the National Assembly passed a resolution to adjust the investment policy for Phase 1 of the Bien Hoa - Vung Tau expressway project, increasing the total investment by VND 3.714 trillion (USD 146 million).

Phan Van Mai, Chairman of the Economic and Financial Committee, explained that this increase reflects the difference between the proposed revised investment and the preliminary figure previously approved in Resolution No. 59/2022.

The revised preliminary investment estimates are based on actual implementation results and cost estimates for unapproved items, in accordance with current construction laws.

According to the Government’s report, the adjusted project cost includes updated compensation, support, and resettlement costs from provincial reports for each sub-project, and construction costs for all three sub-projects as per current regulations.

Quy Nhon - Pleiku expressway to shorten travel and improve safety

This morning, the National Assembly also approved the investment policy for the Quy Nhon - Pleiku expressway project.

The 125-kilometer project is divided into three sub-projects and will reduce travel time from Binh Dinh to Gia Lai via National Highway 19 from 3.5 - 4 hours to just 2 hours. It will also address safety issues on the dangerous Mang Yang and An Khe passes.

The preliminary total investment is estimated at VND 43.7 trillion (USD 1.73 billion), sourced from surplus revenue, budget savings in 2024, and central and local budgets from 2021 to 2030.

Construction is scheduled to begin in 2025 and finish in 2029. The project is also eligible for special policies similar to those applied to Group A public investment projects and is allowed to use contractor selection by direct appointment for related packages.

The Vinh