He expressed optimism about the collaboration, requesting JICA’s guidance on integrating climate adaptation requirements into the project’s future phases. With updates still pending for the environmental impact report and resettlement action plan, he called for JICA’s supply of essential data and expertise to fast-track these critical steps.

The provincial People’s Committee plans to submit the project proposal to the Prime Minister in March. If approved, the necessary procedures will be finalised, paving the way for construction to begin by late 2026.

Deputy Chief Representative of JICA Vietnam Fukuda Chihiro affirmed the agency’s commitment to supporting the project. After approval, JICA will conduct surveys and loan assessments while working closely with the Ministry of Finance and local officials to hasten all preparatory steps.

The planned national highway will be upgraded to a class-III delta road, featuring four lanes for motor vehicles and two for non-motorized traffic. The project is estimated to cost over 5.17 trillion VND (206.8 million USD), with about 3.56 trillion VND funded by ODA loans and around 1.6 trillion VND in counterpart funding.

Building on the success of its initial phase completed in 2012, this 37km stretch has already proven its worth as the shortest route connecting Hau Giang’s Vi Thanh city with Can Tho. It links with major expressways such as Chau Doc – Can Tho – Soc Trang and Ha Tien – Rach Gia – Bac Lieu. Together, these routes form a robust transportation network that is essential for the southwest.