Deputy PM Demands Acceleration of 4 Key Northern Expressway Projects

August 24, 2025 – Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son chaired a critical meeting with the provinces of Tuyen Quang, Cao Bang, and Lang Son regarding the implementation progress of four key expressway routes: Tuyen Quang - Ha Giang, Dong Dang - Tra Linh, and Huu Nghi - Chi Lang. The meeting emphasized the Government's determination to complete the projects on schedule by the end of 2025, despite existing challenges.

Alarming Progress and Challenges to Overcome

A report from the Ministry of Construction revealed a concerning reality regarding the construction progress. Although the four projects, with a total length of 257.5 km, are of strategic importance, the completed volume to date remains very low:

• Tuyen Quang - Ha Giang project: only about 50% complete.
• Dong Dang - Tra Linh project: only 37% complete.
• Huu Nghi - Chi Lang project: only 34% complete.

To meet the goal of opening to traffic by the end of 2025, the projects must achieve a monthly output increase of 10-14%, which is double or even triple the current construction pace. Provincial leaders acknowledged difficulties due to heavy rains in the Northern mountainous region but committed to implementing solutions to meet the deadline.

Decisive Directives and Specific Deadlines

Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son frankly expressed his concern about the progress and demanded decisive action from local authorities and contractors. A series of specific directives were issued:

• Site Clearance: Finalize all remaining issues with site clearance, relocation of technical infrastructure, and disposal sites before September 5, 2025. Specifically, Tuyen Quang must relocate 55 households, and Lang Son must relocate 79 households for the Huu Nghi - Chi Lang project and 6 households for the Dong Dang - Tra Linh project.
• Manpower and Equipment: Contractors must triple their current levels of manpower, equipment, and machinery and organize continuous "3 shifts, 4 teams" construction schedules.
• Quality Management: Absolutely no sacrificing quality for speed, especially for complex items such as large bridges, tunnels, and sections with weak ground.
• Synchronized Infrastructure: Urgently study investment plans for rest stops and traffic monitoring systems to ensure they are completed in sync with the projects.

A Top Political Priority

The Deputy Prime Minister emphasized that completing these expressway projects is a top political priority from now until the 14th National Party Congress. He called on all levels of government, party committees, and contractors to uphold their responsibility and place the national interest first.

At the same time, relevant ministries are required to proactively resolve any obstacles and increase inspections to prevent corruption, waste, and bidding-related misconduct. The synchronized coordination and high determination of all parties are decisive factors in making the goal of 3,000 km of expressways by the end of 2025 a reality.