Hanoi (VNA) – Concluding the 23rd meeting of the state steering committee for nationally important and key transport projects, held online with 27 provinces and cities, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh underscored the priority of implementing expressway projects in the Mekong Delta, northern mountainous provinces, the Central Highlands, and routes connecting Vietnam with China, Laos and Cambodia.
PM Chinh, also the head of the committee, directed the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Construction to coordinate in identifying key projects under the medium-term public investment plan, ensuring that by 2030 Vietnam achieves the target of completing at least 5,000 km of roads as set out in the 14th National Party Congress Resolution.
Priority must be given to expressway sections in the Mekong Delta, with 600 km to be completed by the end of 2026 and another 600 km by 2030, he noted. For provinces such as Cao Bang, Tuyen Quang, Lai Chau and Son La, which still face difficulties, relevant agencies were asked to identify the shortest and most feasible routes for expressway investment linking lowland areas with these mountainous areas.
The leader ordered the completion of such key projects as the Dong Dang (Lang Son) – Tra Linh (Cao Bang) expressway, routes connecting with Laos such as Vinh – Thanh Thuy and My Thuy – La Lay, and connectivity projects in the Central Highlands.
He stressed the need for ministries, sectors and localities to effectively implement his dispatch on urgently reviewing and upgrading expressways built under phased investment schemes.
Regarding airport construction and expansion projects, including Long Thanh, Ca Mau, Quang Tri, Gia Binh, Phu Cat, Phu Quoc and Con Dao, the PM Chinh called for decisive leadership, stronger inspection and supervision, and strict handling of violations without causing project delays, while expanding capacity and flight networks. Son La province was asked to continue studying the restoration of its Na San airport.
For seaports, particularly Cai Mep-Thi Vai, Lach Huyen, Hon Khoai and Lien Chieu, he urged accelerated investment and expansion, alongside the development of airport and aviation-related economic ecosystems. The Government leader also highlighted the need to fast-track transport links connecting seaports and airports, especially the Long Thanh airport and the road linking the Gia Binh airport with Hanoi.
On construction materials, the PM requested close and flexible coordination among ministries, localities and units to avoid bottlenecks. An Giang province was encouraged to expand local quarrying to supply the Mekong Delta, while other localities with sand, stone and gravel resources should proactively coordinate with contractors and investors to meet project demands.
He urged localities to make greater efforts to complete the remaining five pending tasks, and asked Cao Bang, Phu Tho, Quang Tri and Quang Ngai provinces to expedite approval of assigned projects. He added that Deputy PM Tran Hong Ha will continue to directly oversee implementation and resolve obstacles, while projects serving APEC 2027 must be accelerated.
PM Chinh affirmed the spirit of the “four no’s”: no wasting a day, no delaying a week, no missing opportunities in a month, and no being passive for a year. He stressed that projects must ensure the five requirements of digitalisation, green development, optimised efficiency, smart governance, and harmonised interests among the State, citizens and businesses.
According to the steering committee, at its 22nd meeting on December 9 last year, the PM assigned 31 tasks to ministries, sectors, and localities, with the core objective of completing 3,000 km of expressways and coastal roads, Phase 1 of Long Thanh International Airport.
Agencies and localities then made strong efforts, completing 13 out of 18 tasks on schedule. Achievements include the technical opening of 3,345 km of main expressway routes, 458 km of interchanges and access roads, the entire North–South expressway from Cao Bang to Ca Mau provinces, completion of 1,701 km of coastal roads and Phase 1 of Long Thanh International Airport, the inauguration of several projects, and the launch of the first flight on December 19./.
