On September 7, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh concluded the government’s regular monthly meeting with a call to action on several key economic and infrastructural issues.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has signed to issue an official dispatch asking for drastic efforts, the highest sense of responsibility and the engagement of the entire political system to speed up site clearance for national key transport projects.

The Ben Luc - Long Thanh Expressway, running through the lush mangrove forests of Dong Nai province, is nearing completion. This project promises to enhance connectivity and boost economic development in southern Vietnam.

With a total investment of over 1,220 billion VND, the project has shown significant progress after experiencing delays.

After many years of restructuring the transport market, the transport market share now is less than 1 per cent for railway, and less than 20 per cent for maritime and waterway. The transport activities mainly depend on roads.

The Ministry of Transport focuses on giving priority to funding the enhancement of dual-lane expressways to improve operational efficiency and ensure traffic safety.

The Ministry of Transport urged for the installation of the intelligent transportation system (ITS) on major roads and highways.

The Politburo has called for continued investment in vital infrastructure projects.

Hanoi plans to complete three new roads this year, with total capital of VNĐ2.4 trillion (US$98.4 million).

The Ministry of Transport has urged investors and contractors to focus on resolving bottlenecks related to land clearance and material supply, aiming to accelerate progress of the second phase of the North-South expressway project.

The Ministry of Transport (MOT) has proposed an amendment to the Law on Railways to increase the state’s capital contribution to railway projects implemented under private public partnerships (PPP) from 50 percent to 80 percent.

In the event, speakers gave presentations on the development and operation of sustainable transportation infrastructure in both VN and Japan, with Japanese delegates giving more specific experiences on railway, as well as seaports and airports.

Chairman of the People’s Committee of the northern border province of Lang Son Ho Tien Thieu has recently signed a decision approving a project on the building of an expressway connecting Huu Nghi border gate with Chi Lang district.

If the proposal is put into motion, Việt Nam would have 42 highway segments that span 9,263 km, against 41 segments that span 9,014 km under the current plan.

A planned pedestrian bridge connecting District 1 and the Thu Thiem new urban area across the Saigon River will feature the distinctive shape of a nipa palm leaf, an iconic symbol of southern Vietnam.

The northern province of Bac Ninh opened Kinh Duong Vuong Bridge, which has the highest steel arch in Vietnam at present, on October 11.

The Ministry of Transport by the end of August had disbursed about VNĐ49.7 trillion (US$2 billion) out of the total public investment capital plan assigned by the Prime Minister of more than VNĐ95.2 trillion ($3.96 billion).

Hanoi is working on a project to construct a tunnel at the Co Linh intersection on the road to Vinh Tuy bridge (Belt Road No.2) in Long Bien district, in a bid to ease traffic congestion in the area.

Vung Tau City People’s Committee has recently presented a plan to renovate its coastal Thuy Van Road into a public space area, with a total capital of VND1.2 trillion (US$50 million) from public investment budget.

Economists projected that completing the infrastructure ensures connectivity between the southwest economic region and HCM City, forming a conduit to help the southern economy to develop.