Government recommends funding for the Bien Hoa-Vung Tau Expressway.

The Vietnamese government has recently proposed a significant public investment of VND 17,837 billion (approximately $777 million) for the initial phase of the Bien Hoa-Vung Tau Expressway. This major infrastructure project will connect critical economic zones, including Cai Mep-Thi Vai Port and the Long Thanh International Airport, playing a vital role in enhancing connectivity within the southern key economic region.

In the pre-feasibility report submitted to the National Assembly, the expressway is designed to span 5.7 kilometers, starting in Bien Hoa town, located in Dong Nai province, and concluding in Ba Ria town in Ba Ria-Vung Tau province. The first phase will accommodate four to six lanes, with a potential expansion to a clearance scale of six to eight lanes, illustrating the project’s forward-thinking design.

The funding strategy outlines that nearly $622 million will be allocated for the period from 2022 to 2025, sourced from the medium-term public investment plan for 2021-2025, alongside the socio-economic recovery and development program. The remainder of the funding is expected to be invested in 2026, under the public investment plan for 2026-2030, ensuring a robust financial backing throughout the project’s phases.

Preparation for investment commenced in 2022, with construction expected to kick off in 2023 and aims for completion by 2025. The project is divided into three components: the first two sub-projects are set at lengths of 16 kilometers and 18.2 kilometers in Dong Nai province, respectively, while the third spans 19.5 kilometers in Ba Ria-Vung Tau province.

Approved in September 2021 under a public-private partnership (PPP) framework, this initiative initially anticipated a $289 million contribution from the state’s budget. However, challenges in attracting private capital and extended bidding timelines have raised concerns about achieving the 2025 completion target. Consequently, the proposal to utilize public funding aims to expedite the implementation process, providing a more reliable pathway to overcoming these hurdles.

Upon completion, the Bien Hoa-Vung Tau Expressway is poised to significantly alleviate traffic congestion on National Highway 51, a critical route that connects Vung Tau town with Ho Chi Minh City and Dong Nai province. Moreover, it will complement the North-South Expressway’s eastern section and interlink with the HCMC-Long Thanh-Dau Giay Expressway and the Ben Luc-Long Thanh Expressway, fostering seamless travel across the region.

This highway project represents not just an advancement of infrastructure but also a strategic move to enhance economic activities, facilitate trade, and ultimately boost the overall development of Vietnam’s southern economic landscape. As the region continues to grow, projects like the Bien Hoa-Vung Tau Expressway are crucial in supporting sustainable progress and meeting the demands of a rapidly changing economic environment.