On August 31, Phan Van Mai, Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee, signed an urgent document addressed to the Prime Minister, submitting the pre-feasibility study report for the Ring Road 4 project in Ho Chi Minh City.

The Ring Road 4 project is anticipated to play a crucial role in boosting the socio-economic development of the provinces within Southeast Vietnam, a key economic region. It is also expected to enhance inter-regional traffic connectivity, facilitating the efficient flow of goods and reducing logistics costs.

Spanning approximately 207 kilometers, the Ring Road 4 will pass through five provinces and cities, including Ho Chi Minh City, Long An, Binh Duong, Dong Nai, and Ba Ria - Vung Tau. With a preliminary total investment estimate of nearly VND 130 trillion, it is considered the largest road infrastructure project ever undertaken in Southeast Vietnam.

According to the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee, the pre-feasibility study report for the Ring Road 4 project has been largely completed, in collaboration with the relevant provinces.

The total length of the Ring Road 4 project is approximately 207 kilometers, distributed as follows: Ba Ria - Vung Tau (18.23 km), Dong Nai (45.54 km), Binh Duong (47.45 km), Ho Chi Minh City (17.3 km), and Long An (78.3 km).

In the first phase, the project will focus on land clearance in accordance with the approved plan, with a four-lane expressway and emergency lanes along the entire route (3 meters wide).

The project includes the construction of 23 interchanges, with four in Ho Chi Minh City, six in Long An, three in Ba Ria - Vung Tau, six in Dong Nai, and four in Binh Duong.

Additionally, the project will include the construction of service roads and local roads along both sides of the expressway, based on the traffic needs of each segment and locality (such as urban areas and residential zones).

The total estimated investment for the Ring Road 4 project is approximately VND 128.063 trillion, with VND 39.827 trillion expected to come from the central government budget and VND 30.882 trillion from local budgets. Specifically, Ho Chi Minh City will require an estimated VND 14.089 trillion, Long An VND 67.024 trillion, Ba Ria - Vung Tau VND 7.972 trillion, Dong Nai VND 19.151 trillion, and Binh Duong VND 19.827 trillion.

The budget allocation plan for the project includes VND 15.843 trillion for the 2021-2025 period and VND 54.867 trillion for the 2026-2030 period.

At a recent meeting on August 26, the Minister of Planning and Investment reached an agreement with the leadership of Ho Chi Minh City and the four related provinces on several key points to expedite the construction of the Ring Road 4 project.

In line with the meeting's outcomes, Ho Chi Minh City has established a task force to prepare and submit the investment proposal for the project. Additionally, the city has requested the involved provinces to urgently collaborate and finalize the pre-feasibility study report, which is to be submitted to the Ministry of Planning and Investment by September 10.

To ensure timely implementation and meet the urgent deadlines, Ho Chi Minh City has also proposed that the Prime Minister approve the preparation of the overall pre-feasibility study report for the Ring Road 4 project. Furthermore, the city is exploring and proposing special mechanisms and policies to be applied throughout the project’s route.

Ho Chi Minh City will take the lead in coordinating with localities and relevant agencies to finalize the report and submit it for approval by the competent authorities, with the goal of obtaining the National Assembly's investment decision during its October session.

The city has also requested that the Prime Minister assign the Ministry of Planning and Investment to oversee the appraisal of the pre-feasibility study report, report on the central budget allocation for the project, and consult with the National Assembly Standing Committee to include the project in the agenda for the October 2024 session.

To meet the National Assembly's investment decision deadline, local authorities must complete a series of tasks and procedures by October.

Tuan Kiet