Despite navigating major challenges - from pandemics and climate disruptions to institutional reforms - Vietnam has officially reached 3,000 kilometers of expressways, marking an unprecedented leap in national infrastructure after more than 20 years of development.

On December 17, during the forum “Momentum from 3,000km of expressways,” Deputy Minister of Construction Le Anh Tuan reflected on Vietnam’s journey in transportation infrastructure. He cited the Phap Van – Cau Gie route as the “cornerstone” that laid the foundation for modern expressway thinking.

From a single route to a mindset revolution

Opened in 2002 with just over 30 kilometers in length, the Phap Van – Cau Gie expressway came into existence at a time when Vietnam had little experience with expressway construction or management. At the time, technical standards and investment models were still under debate, and the concept of a “highway” was relatively unfamiliar.

According to Deputy Minister Tuan, while the route did not fully meet today’s standards, its most valuable contribution was in changing the mindset around infrastructure. It proved the effectiveness of traffic separation, reduced travel time, and helped ease the load on National Highway 1A.

The experience of Phap Van – Cau Gie provided critical lessons for later projects, from technical criteria and investment models to mobilizing social capital.

Over the next two decades, progress remained slow. By early 2021, Vietnam had only about 1,200km of expressways, with limited connectivity. The turning point came when infrastructure was identified as one of three national strategic breakthroughs.

The National Assembly and Government launched a series of special mechanisms, streamlined investment procedures, delegated authority, and addressed bottlenecks in capital, materials, and land clearance.

“The biggest hurdle wasn’t capital or engineering - it was mindset and policy,” Tuan emphasized. “Once those were resolved, project implementation speeds changed dramatically.”

Overcoming unprecedented challenges

The period from 2021 to 2023 proved to be the toughest test. The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted supply chains and forced many construction sites into on-site quarantine operations. Prolonged storms caused delays, while material shortages and price fluctuations complicated logistics.

Despite this, decisive government leadership and public cooperation in land clearance created a powerful push. Numerous projects had to be built around the clock, enduring five to six rainy seasons to meet schedule targets.

By the end of 2025, over 3,000km of expressways will be operational. A wave of major projects - ring roads around Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, Trung Luong – My Thuan – Can Tho, Khanh Hoa – Buon Ma Thuot, Tuyen Quang – Ha Giang - have formed an interconnected national network.

According to Deputy Minister Tuan, the value of reaching 3,000km lies not just in the distance, but in a revolution in infrastructure thinking - where speed, discipline, and efficiency have become the new national standards.

Despite the achievement, the road ahead remains demanding. Vietnam aims to complete 5,000km of expressways by 2030. That means the workload over the next five years will be nearly equal to everything done in the last two decades combined.

Vu Diep