In its proposal sent to the Ministry of Transport on Thursday, Project Management Board 7, in charge of managing traffic projects in southern Vietnam and the Central Highlands region, estimated the cost for the renovation at VND2.257 trillion ($97.9 million).

Starting in Long An Province, National Highway 62 runs 76 kilometers (47 miles) through the province before reaching the Vietnam – Cambodia border.

It also connects with highways No.1, N2 and HCMC-Trung Luong-My Thuan Expressway. All three are major routes running from HCMC and other southeastern localities to and through the Mekong Delta.

In recent times, National Highway 62 has been seriously downgraded with significant cracks and damage to its surface. The road has also become too narrow for the increasing volume of traffic.

As proposed, renovation work will start next year for completion in 2023 and use investment funds raised from issuing government bonds.

Aside from upgrading damaged sections, Project Management Board 7 is planning to expand the road's width by two meters to 11 meters.