HCMC is seeking feedback from Dong Nai, Tay Ninh and Lam Dong on plans to add Ring Roads 4.5 and 5, with a combined length of nearly 700km, in a bid to strengthen regional connectivity and expand development space.

The HCMC Department of Construction has sent a document seeking comments from its counterparts in Dong Nai, Tay Ninh and Lam Dong provinces on plans for a network of ring roads and expressways providing interregional connections.

Notably, HCMC is studying the addition of two new routes, Ring Road 4.5 and Ring Road 5, which would create an outer transport network with a combined length of nearly 700km.

The proposal is being developed as part of the HCMC Master Plan for 2025-2050, with a 100-year vision, and is intended to translate into practice the revised planning direction for the Southeast region approved by the prime minister.

Under the proposal being studied, Ring Road 4.5 would stretch nearly 200km through HCMC, Dong Nai and Tay Ninh. It is envisioned as an eight-lane, high-speed urban arterial, developed by upgrading and connecting sections of National Highways 56 and 56B.

The proposed starting point is the interchange between Ring Road 5 and the Bien Hoa-Vung Tau Expressway. The route would pass through several localities before reconnecting with Ring Road 5 in the Go Dau area.

Meanwhile, HCMC’s proposed Ring Road 5 is intended to strengthen connectivity between the Southeast region, the south-central coast and the Central Highlands. The route is planned as a six- to eight-lane urban expressway, beginning near National Highway 51, running along National Highway 55 through La Gi and then following a newly built section toward the northwest.

HCMC is studying two possible alignments. The first would be about 487km long and loop north of Cat Tien National Park, while the second would extend around 440km and pass through the Cat Tien National Park area. The route would then continue through satellite urban areas before connecting to the coastal Can Gio area.

In addition to the two new ring roads, HCMC is proposing to extend the Bien Hoa-Vung Tau Expressway approximately 30km northward, crossing the Dong Nai River to connect directly with Ring Road 4 and Ring Road 4.5.

The approximately 70km National Highway 51C is also proposed for conversion into an eight-lane urban expressway. It would serve as a north-south corridor, allowing vehicles to travel between different areas without passing through central HCMC.

The proposals are being studied to add new layers of connectivity beyond Ring Road 4 as HCMC and neighboring localities accelerate efforts to complete Ring Roads 2, 3 and 4.

The HCMC Department of Construction has asked the relevant localities to review whether the proposals are compatible with their development plans and provide feedback on route alignments, connection points and their ability to meet transportation demand.

The feedback will be compiled to finalize the planning proposal before it is submitted to the relevant authorities for consideration.

Tuan Kiet