Construction Minister Tran Hong Minh made the statement on October 30 during a parliamentary discussion of socio-economic issues. Earlier, National Assembly deputy Le Anh Thu from An Giang province asked officials to clearly distinguish between completing investment in the two-lane scale and completing the entire Ho Chi Minh Road project.
According to the minister, completing the two-lane scale in 2026 will close the project's phased investment period under National Assembly Resolutions 38 and 66. The goal is to connect the entire road from Pac Bo in Cao Bang province to Dat Mui with two lanes.
Minh stressed that completing the first two-lane construction stage does not mean the entire project is finished. Under the road network plan for 2021–2030 with a vision to 2050, Ho Chi Minh Road will remain a major transport route and must be upgraded to an expressway.
A project is considered complete after all construction work has ended, the facility has been put into operation and the competent authority has approved the final settlement.
Ho Chi Minh Road is 2,656.5 km long. So far, 2,499 km has been completed. The target is to complete 2,643 km by the end of December and the remaining 13 km of the Go Quao – Vinh Thuan section in the first quarter of 2027.
The first stage was settled in 2016. The second stage is 89% complete, and its full settlement is expected in 2027.
Regarding the Rach Gia – Ha Tien expressway, or CT35, the minister said the approved plan calls for a four-lane Ha Tien – Rach Gia – Bac Lieu expressway to be built before 2030.
A 194-km road project is currently under study. The 98-km Rach Gia – Ha Tien section has an estimated investment of VND 55 trillion. The report has been submitted, and the government is studying how to balance funding sources.
The minister added that an elevated-road option for the next Rach Gia – Ha Tien section could raise the total investment to about VND 80 trillion. The government is continuing to study the option.
Regarding sea sand, authorities have developed standards and regulations and have used it on some roads. In practice, the material comes from the lower Tien and Hau rivers in the Mekong Delta, where extraction sites are already available. However, transporting it over long distances and washing out the salt makes the material relatively expensive.
Vietnam to invest in national railways
Responding to a proposal to invest in national railway lines, including Dong Anh – Quan Trieu, Kep – Luu Xa, which is 56 km long, and Thai Nguyen – Tuyen Quang – Lao Cai, which is 73 km long, the minister said the projects had already appeared in repair and investment plans for periods before and after 2030.
The urban railway connecting Thai Nguyen with Hanoi falls under local authority. He urged the province to prepare the project and start construction, following the models of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.
On falling revenue and measures to resolve problems at the Quang Duc BOT station in Dak Lak province, the minister said six BOT projects operate along Ho Chi Minh Road, three of which face a risk of declining revenue.
Under Government Decree 122/2026 on detailed procedures for resolving problems in BOT projects, the Ministry of Construction will coordinate with investors, local authorities and the State Audit Office. They will determine the exact revenue shortfall and then apply a budget support and risk-sharing mechanism under the rules, balancing the interests of the state, businesses and residents, the minister said.
Sources: Thanh Niên
