Vietnam continues its ambitious infrastructure push with the groundbreaking of a key expressway segment, utilizing a public-private partnership to accelerate completion of the vital North-South corridor.

New link to help boost local economic development.

National Highway No. 50 being expanded at a total cost of $65.7 million.

Upgrades expected to help enhance links and trade between Hanoi and northwestern localities.

The real estate market in Phan Thiet city, south-central Binh Thuan province, is becoming increasingly attractive to investors thanks to advantages in tourism development, infrastructure, and, especially, the strong possibility of price increases. Analysts believe Phan Thiet will become a “magnet” for investment, and real estate prices will skyrocket when the local airport is completed and the Dau Giay - Phan Thiet Expressway comes into operation at the end of this year.

The 80-km Van Don - Mong Cai Highway, with investment of nearly VND13 trillion ($553.5 million), was officially put into operation on September 1 after more than two years of construction. This is the final section of the longest highway in Vietnam, stretching nearly 600 km and connecting Mong Cai with Lao Cai, passing through Van Don, Ha Long, Hai Phong, Hanoi, Vinh Phuc, Phu Tho, and Yen Bai in the country’s north.

The three North-South Expressway public-private partnership (PPP) projects are proceeding slowly due to tardy access to credit. The Ministry of Transport will handle contract violations if investors and project enterprises do not raise enough funds to implement projects.

Project Management Board 6 has sought the National Assembly (NA)’s consideration and decision on investment in the Khanh Hoa - Buon Ma Thuot Highway. The route is 118 km in length and has estimated investment of over VND17 trillion ($752.99 million) from the State budget, and will connect two political and socio-economic centers in the south-central region and central highlands.

Eighty-five per cent of the 51.5-km Trung Luong - My Thuan Highway, linking Tien Giang and Vinh Long provinces in the Mekong Delta, has been built, and the remaining 10 km will be completed in November. The highway is expected to open in time for the Lunar New Year (Tet) holiday in early February.

Northern Tuyen Quang province has proposed investment in the Ha Giang - Tuyen Quang Expressway, with a length of 165 km, before 2030, to complete an expressway from Hanoi to Ha Giang. Total investment in the first phase is expected to be nearly VND7 trillion ($307.15 million).