The National Assembly approved a resolution to allocate VND147 trillion (US$6.5 billion) for the construction of 729 kilometers of the Eastern North-South expressway during the 2021-2025 period.

The Eastern North-South expressway. Photo: The Hanoi Times

Under the resolution, the Eastern North-South expressway would include sections from Bai Vot (Ha Tinh Province) to Cam Lo (Quang Tri Province), from Quang Ngai Province to Nha Trang (Khanh Hoa Province), and from Can Tho City to Ca Mau Province.

The total length of the project is estimated at 729 kilometers, divided into 12 sub-projects, and financed by public funds.

The majority of the expressway is designed with six lanes, except for sections of Can Tho – Hau Giang, and Hau Giang – Ca Mau with four lanes.

The resolution stipulates the project will be completed by 2025 and start operation one year later.

The NA calls for the Government to set up financial plans for the project to ensure its feasibility and efficiency.

Under the Government’s calculation, toll collection on the entire 12 sub-projects would help raise VND18.3 trillion (USD804.5 million) in five years and around VND38 trillion ($1.67 billion) in the 10-year period.

As of the present, over 1,000 kilometers of the expressway have been built throughout the country. 

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.

With the Eastern North-South expressway, Vietnam would have four major trans-Vietnam highways, including National highway No.1, Ho Chi Minh highway, and coastal highway.