Vingroup has proposed a strategic sea-crossing route connecting Can Gio and Vung Tau under the Build-Transfer (BT) model.

The corporation recently submitted an official document to Nguyen Van Duoc, Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee, requesting approval to conduct a feasibility study for the sea-crossing project that would link the Can Gio area with Vung Tau.

The proposal comes as Ho Chi Minh City undertakes a master urban planning revision through 2040 with a vision to 2060, focused on building modern transport infrastructure and enhancing both intra-regional and inter-regional connectivity.

According to Vingroup, following the incorporation of Ba Ria - Vung Tau province into Ho Chi Minh City, the development of a direct coastal connection between these areas has become essential.

The Can Gio - former Ba Ria Vung Tau zone holds strategic significance in maritime economy, ports, tourism, and ecological urban development. However, transportation infrastructure remains inadequate. Commuters still rely heavily on ferries or lengthy detour routes, resulting in time and cost inefficiencies.

The company believes that investing in a sea-crossing road will drastically reduce travel time, improve connectivity between key functional zones, and act as a powerful catalyst for socio-economic and commercial development. It also aims to sustainably expand urban space toward the coastal regions of Ho Chi Minh City.

“Approval to conduct a study is a vital step in establishing a legal foundation for assessing feasibility and aligning with the city’s development direction,” Vingroup stated in the proposal, also affirming its commitment to accompanying the city in realizing key transportation infrastructure goals.

Vingroup pledged long-term cooperation to enhance regional connectivity and support the sustainable development of Ho Chi Minh City’s coastal zones.

Previously, VinSpeed, a Vingroup subsidiary, had proposed a 48.5-kilometer metro line between Ho Chi Minh City and Can Gio, estimated at $4 billion. The company plans to begin construction in Q4 this year and aims for completion by early 2028.

The proposed metro line would operate at a maximum speed of 350 km/h, with double-track design and standard gauge (1,435 mm) - more than three times faster than the current Ben Thanh - Suoi Tien metro line, which has a top speed of 110 km/h.

Transportation infrastructure connecting Ho Chi Minh City and Ba Ria - Vung Tau is currently a major bottleneck hindering tourism and regional economic development.

The core issue lies in the absence of a direct highway, forcing vehicles to detour through Dong Nai province.

Currently, commuters and businesses rely almost entirely on two key roadways: the Ho Chi Minh City - Long Thanh - Dau Giay Expressway (HLD) and National Highway 51 (QL51). Both routes are severely congested, particularly on weekends and holidays, making travel time between Ho Chi Minh City and Vung Tau unpredictable and inefficient.

Meanwhile, the Can Gio - Vung Tau ferry, though offering a shorter sea route, cannot accommodate the growing demand. Commuters must travel long distances just to reach the Can Gio terminal and must first pass through Binh Khanh Ferry (connecting Nha Be and Can Gio), which is itself a traffic chokepoint, further undermining the effectiveness of this option.

This lack of synchrony and chronic congestion underscores the urgent need to complete other key infrastructure projects in the area.

Tuan Kiet