Observers say that Thang is taking office at the time the transport sector is assigned many duties. They expect the new Minister who worked years in the banking sector and is a former leader of Quang Ninh and Dien Bien provinces, will help the transport sector make a breakthrough.

Transport infrastructure 

Talking to the media after his appointment, Thang said he was determined to complete key transport projects, especially the North-South Expressway and Long Thanh International Airport.

Vietnam plans to build 3,000km by 2025. With nearly 1,600 kilometers of North-South Expressway under construction amid scarce materials, the transport sector is facing difficulties.

Of the 10 component projects of the North-South Expressway (phase 1), there are four state-funded projects, namely Cam Lo-La Son, Mai Son - Highway No 45, Vinh Hao - Phan Thiet and Phan Thiet - Dau Giay which are planned to complete this year but it seems to be impossible. 

It is similar for six other component projects, including My Thuan 2 Bridge, Highway No 45 – Nghi Son, Nghi Son - Dien Chau, Dien Chau - Bai Vot, Nha Trang – Cam Lam, Cam Lam – Vinh Hao, which are planned for completion in 2023.

This is a challenge for the new Minister, who needs to replace weak contractors to speed up project implementation.

Meanwhile, 12 component projects of phase 2 (2021-2025) with total length of 729km, including Ha Tinh – Quang Tri (267km), Quang Ngai – Nha Trang (353km) and Can Tho – Ca Mau (109km) will be launched later this year. Contractors of these projects will be directly selected by the Minister of Transport. This is a great responsibility.

The Long Thanh International Airport and Ben Luc – Long Thanh highway (Dong Nai province) are planned for completion by 2025. The ODA (official development assistance) -funded Ben Luc - Long Thanh highway has been behind schedule for years. Foreign contractors have asked to terminate the contract. It will therefore require great efforts by the Minister to reactivate the project.

Railway development

When will Vietnam build the North-South high-speed railway? This question has not been answered for a decade. 

Twelve years ago, the project was not approved by the National Assembly. Its fate remains unclear now as the pre-feasibility study report is still under examination. It has not been approved as many issues remain unclear, including the speed, investment capital, capital mobilization method and effect on the state budget.

People hope that the new Minister would instruct the ministry’s agencies to join forces with other ministries to quickly complete the investment plan to persuade the National Assembly.

Vietnam still doesn’t have high-speed railways, while the existing North - South railway, which is more than 100 years old, has become backward, which cannot compete with road and aviation transport.

Socializing railway infrastructure services is an issue mentioned by the government in recent years, however, no mechanism has been built to attract non-state resources.

Vu Diep