In Resolution No. 11-NQ/TW dated February 10, 2022 on directions for socio-economic development, ensuring national defense and security in the northern midland and mountainous region until 2030, with a vision to 2045, the Politburo determined to build Lao Cai province into a growth pole and center connecting economic trade between Vietnam and ASEAN countries with the southwest region of China.

Accordingly, one of Lao Cai's central and throughout tasks is "Keeping the forest, keeping the water, keeping the environment, keeping the people, keeping the border to both stabilize the source of livelihood for the people and contribute to sustainable development for the whole region”.

To achieve this goal, the authorities of Lao Cai province identified the development of transport infrastructure as one of two breakthrough contents. On that basis, the Provincial Party Committee issued Resolution 03 dated December 11, 2020 on implementing the project to develop and improve the quality of key urban areas and transportation in Lao Cai province.

After half of the term, key traffic infrastructure in Lao Cai has been developed strongly, connecting and creating motivation for socio-economic development in the province and the region as a whole.

Major projects on air, road, railway and water transport have basically been approved. The Sa Pa airport project was approved by the Prime Minister. At present, site clearance has completed and the province is choosing investors to implement the project.

The standard rail route Lao Cai - Hanoi - Hai Phong - Quang Ninh is being planned in detail after the railway network planning for the period 2021 - 2030, with a vision to 2050, was approved.

The 4-lane Noi Bai - Lao Cai Expressway project is at the stage of preparing a pre-feasibility study report, expected to submit to the Prime Minister for consideration and approval in the third quarter of 2023. The inland waterway infrastructure planning for the period of 2021 - 2030 with a vision to 2050 has been approved by the Prime Minister.

Road transport is paid attention and deployed strongly. Nearly 200 km of national highways and 772 km of provincial roads have been invested, upgraded and repaired. The network connecting highways and national highways to the economic and tourist centers of the province is gradually forming and completing.

The intersection with the highway at Lu Street is put into operation; Intersections in the inner areas are being upgraded and expanded; The road connecting Noi Bai - Lao Cai Highway to Sa Pa town will be put into operation at the end of 2023; the competition of Pho Moi - Bao Ha streets along with the Lang Giang and Phu Thinh bridge projects that are being invested and built will connect Bao Thang and Bao Yen districts with Lao Cai city and promoting socio-economic development, trade in the region, and gradually concretizing the planning along the Red River axis of Lao Cai province.

The development of transport infrastructure has achieved important results. However, Lao Cai is still striving to complete a synchronous and modern transportation infrastructure system to create a continuous and interconnected network between provinces in the region, between the region and the whole country and internationally; creating a great impetus for the province's socio-economic development, contributing to completing the goals set out in the Resolution of the 16th Lao Cai Provincial Party Congress, term 2020-2025, acting as a lever for GDP growth for the Northwest provinces and ensures security and defense throughout the province and region.

Completing construction of Noi Bai - Lao Cai expressway

In recent time, Lao Cai province has focused on investing in synchronous and focused transport infrastructure to ensure connections between economic regions and promote the strengths of related localities.

However, the province's traffic connection still has many bottlenecks because investment capital for transport infrastructure is still low compared to that of many provinces and cities in the region and the country.

Therefore, Lao Cai province will continue to implementing and accelerating the progress of key infrastructure projects in the province such as: Sa Pa airport, border bridge across the Red River in Ban Vuoc commune and bridges across the Red River; renovating and upgrading national highways, developing the provincial road system under planning, with priority given to roads connecting to Sa Pa airport, economic zones, tourist areas, and areas with development potential in Lao Cai like the road connecting Sa Pa airport to Sa Pa town; the road connecting Sa Pa airport to the border gate economic zone...

Lao Cai will also coordinate with the Ministry of Transport to accelerate the implementation of the following projects: the double gauge rail between Lao Cai station (Vietnam) and North Hekou station (China); National Highway 279 from IC16 intersection of Noi Bai - Lao Cai expressway to Lai Chau; work with relevant ministries and central agencies to completely build the Noi Bai - Lao Cai expressway , the Yen Bai - Lao Cai section; border river and stream embankment projects; adjust and lengthen National Highway 4E to enhance connectivity with Ha Giang province, connecting to Ban Vuoc border gate, Lung Po cross (Bat Xat);

Complete planning and call for investment in the standard gauge railway route Lao Cai - Hanoi - Hai Phong; complete construction of phase 1 of Sa Pa Airport project; build a road bridge across the Red River in the Bat Xat (Vietnam) - Ba Sai (China) border area; make planning for an inland waterway route on the Red River from Yen Bai to Nam Thi junction (Lao Cai city); research and build ports for goods and tourism;

Renovate and repair about 230 km of national highways; renovate and repair about 420 km of provincial roads; upgrade about 480 km of roads to commune centers, 300 km of roads to village centers with potential for developing tourism, high-tech agriculture, traditional craft villages and commodity products...;

Monitor and urge localities to implement the national target program on rural roads; complete border patrol routes under approved planning.

Minh Yen, Ha Quoc Tien, Nguyen Dang Tan