Vietnam’s Ministry of Transport (MoT) today [July 16] issued bidding documents for five sub-components under the North-South Expressway project, local media reported.

Vietnam transport ministry launches call for tender for North-South Expressway.

Vice Minister of Transport Nguyen Nhat said bidders would have two months to prepare for their tenders and submit the documents in September, adding the evaluation process is scheduled to complete by December.

Additionally, bidders would have six months to mobilize capital for these projects worth a combined VND22.35 trillion (US$961.28 million), which is a condition for contract award if their bids are accepted, stated Nhat.

Meanwhile, a representative from the Public–Private Partnership (PPP) Department under the MoT, said all five projects would be operated under the PPP mechanism, scheduled to commence in early 2021.

According to Nhat, local authorities plan to handover clear sites for contractors in October, as the site clearance process has completed 80 – 85% of the work volume.

Five sub-component projects are sections National Highway No.45 – Nghi Son, Nghi Son – Dien Chau, Dien Chau – Bai Vot, Nha Trang – Cam Lam, and Cam Lam – Vinh Hao. So far, the MoT has completed the pre-qualification evaluation process for all these sub-projects.

The National Assembly (NA) in a sitting in June agreed to change the financing format of three sub-projects under the Eastern North- South expressway project from PPP to public investment, namely sections of Mai Son – National Highway No.45, Vinh Hao – Phan Thiet, and Phan Thiet – Dau Giay.

The Eastern North-South expressway project is of national priority for investment in the 2017 – 2020 period.

The Eastern North-South expressway project, which is of national priority for investment in the 2017 – 2020 period, includes 11 sub-projects with a total length of 654 kilometers running through 13 provinces and cities. As per the initial plan, three would be financed by the state budget and eight under the PPP and build-operate-transfer (BOT) contracts. 

The NA’s latest decision would mean the expressway project now consists of six projects to be funded by the state  and other five under the PPP format.

As of present, over 1,000 kilometers of expressway have been built throughout the country, while an addition of 900 kilometers are set to be completed by end-2021. 

In the 2021-2025 period, Vietnam targets to have at least 2,000 kilometers of expressways and by 2025, the figure would be 4,000 kilometers stretching from the northern province of Lang Son to the southernmost province of Ca Mau.

Including the Eastern North-South expressway, Vietnam would have four major roads across the country, including National highway No.1, Ho Chi Minh highway, and coastal highway.