The expressway is considered a boost to socio-economic development and integration of the two northern mountainous provinces of Lang Son and Cao Bang, while enhancing national defense and security in the northern border region of Vietnam.

Located at the gateway for goods exchange from the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region and the west and southwest provinces of China to the sea and to ASEAN countries, Cao Bang currently has many pairs of border gates with China, creating potentials and advantages for cross-border trade, especially agricultural products...

The Dong Dang - Tra Linh Expressway Project is expected to open the door to trade with China, soon making Cao Bang a gateway connecting the southwestern provinces of China with Cao Bang’s neighboring provinces to Hanoi and Hai Phong, linking southern provinces of Vietnam with the provinces of Bac Kan - Thai Nguyen - Hanoi, connecting the provinces of Ha Giang - Tuyen Quang to the northwestern provinces of Vietnam. Further, it will also form a southern transport route connecting ASEAN to the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Chongqing, Sichuan, Guizhou (China) to Central Asia and Europe. At the same time, it will help ensure smooth trade and improve investment efficiency in infrastructure in general and regional connection infrastructure in particular.

The Dong Dang (Lang Son) - Tra Linh (Cao Bang) expressway construction project is a group-A project, which was approved by the Prime Minister in August 2020 in the form of public partnership investment (PPP).

The project was approved by the Prime Minister to adjust investment policies in Decision No. 20/QD-TTg dated January 16, 2023 with a total length of about 121 km, and a total investment capital of more than 23,000 billion VND.

In phase 1, 93.35 km will be built, starting at the intersection of Tan Thanh Border Gate, Van Lang district of Lang Son province and ending at the National Highway 3 intersection in Chi Thao commune, Quang Hoa district of Cao Bang province. 

The road is designed according to TCVN 5729-2012 standards, with design speed of up to 80 km/h, with a total investment in phase 1 of more than 14,300 billion VND, expected to be completed in 2026.