Vietnam will strive to build 2,000km of its highways by 2020 under a project to restructure transport sector approved by Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung on July 22.

The transport of goods and passengers on road will hold a respective market share of 54.4 percent and 93.22 percent. National Highway 1A linking Hanoi in the north and Can Tho city in the south will undergo a makeover and expansion before 2016.

Land for urban traffic will make up 16-26 percent with priority given to public transport, especially in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. All district roads across the country will be asphalted or concreted.

The project also aims to upgrade the north-south railway system and consider building hi-speed railways connecting Lao Cai and Hanoi, Hanoi and Hai Phong, Hanoi and Dong Dang, Bien Hoa and Vung Tau, Ho Chi Minh City and Can Tho, Lach Huyen seaport and others in Hai Phong, the Central Highlands and seaports.

By 2020, domestic transport of goods and passengers by sea aims for 32.38 percent and 0.17 percent of market share, respectively. Along with major routes, river lines linking the Mekong Delta with Ho Chi Minh City, and those along Tien Giang, Hau Giang, Red and Thai Binh rivers will be upgraded.

National shipping operators will reach a 25-30 percent increase in the handling of exports and imports. The development of national seaports and international gateway ports in key economic zones will continue with Lach Huyen and Cai Mep – Thi Vai seaports in Hai Phong and Vung Tau being put into the best use. At the same time, foreign investment will be drawn to Van Phong international transhipment port.

About aviation services, budget airliners will broaden their market shares by extending their links with regional and global partners. Besides traditional markets in Southeast Asia, Northeast Asia, China and Oceania, the sector is expected to launch more routes to Europe, North America, Latin America and Africa.
International airports such as Noi Bai, Tan Son Nhat, Da Nang, Can Tho and Cam Ranh will have a facelift.

This year, the national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines will be equitised with the State holing a stake of 65-75 percent.-VNA