PM Pham Minh Chinh gives encouragement to workers at the construction site of the Dong Dang (Lang Son) – Tra Linh (Cao Bang) expressway project in Cao Bang province on February 2. (Photo: VNA)

n the first phase, the Dong Dang (Lang Son) – Tra Linh (Cao Bang) expressway project is over 93km long and has four lanes with a designed speed of 80km per hour. It is invested with more than 14 trillion VND (over 558 million USD) in the build – operate – transfer (BOT) format by the Deo Ca Group.

Launched in early 2024, the project is expected to be open to traffic in 2025 and completed in 2026, cutting the driving time between Hanoi and Cao Bang down to 3.5 hours from 6–7 hours at present. About 13.52% of the contract has been fulfilled so far, 0.54% faster than the expectation.

PM Chinh inspected the construction of an expressway section in Quang Hoa district, the Dong Khe tunnel in Thach An district, and a stretch in Duc Xuan commune of Thach An in Cao Bang province.

Extending New Year wishes to and hailing efforts by the ones working around the clock, even throughout the Lunar New Year (Tet) holiday, on the construction site, he asked the relevant localities and units to exert greater efforts to further accelerate the project so that it is completed on schedule and all expressways from Cao Bang to the southernmost province of Ca Mau are connected seamlessly by December 31, 2025, thus serving national development in the new era.

Later, the Government leader came to Hoang Phong commune of Cao Loc district, Lang Son province, to check the Huu Nghi – Chi Lang expressway project and offer encouragement to workers there.

This 59.87km-long project, invested in the BOT format, has the total phased investment of more than 11 trillion VND. It is set to see traffic in 2025 and be completed next year. Its progress is currently 5.87% lagging behind schedule.

PM Chinh demanded manpower and machinery be further mobilised, science - technology utilised, labour productivity improved, labour safety guaranteed, along with progress, quality and environmental hygiene ensured during project implementation.

In the late afternoon of the same day, PM Chinh worked with leaders from various ministries, agencies, Lang Son and Cao Bang provinces, as well as investors and contractors, to remove obstacles hindering the implementation of the Dong Dang (Lang Son) – Tra Linh (Cao Bang) Expressway and the Huu Nghi – Chi Lang expressway in Lang Son province.

At the meeting, local leaders, investors, and contractors reported some difficulties related to site clearance, capital disbursement, as well as challenges regarding the establishment of toll stations and rest stops along the expressways. They also proposed the construction of roads connecting to these expressways to ensure their efficiency.

Highlighting the economic, social, security, and defence significance of the projects, PM Chinh directed ministries, agencies, localities, and investors to complete the necessary documents for submission to the government in February 2025, in the spirit of harmonising benefits, sharing risks” and “balancing the interests of the people, businesses, and the state.

He called on Cao Bang and Lang Son provinces to mobilise the entire political system for effective site clearance, ensure an adequate supply of materials for the projects, and engage mass organisations and the police and military forces in supporting the contractors in the construction sites.

He also requested investors and contractors to apply modern technology and innovative construction methods to increase labour productivity, ensure labour safety, and meet construction schedules and quality standards. “The goal remains to complete the entire expressway route from Cao Bang to the southernmost province of Ca Mau by the end of 2025,” he noted.

For the Dong Dang – Tra Linh expressway project, the leader instructed that, alongside the construction of its first phase, Cao Bang province and related ministries should urgently begin the second one, especially for sections where conditions are favourable.

The PM agreed to invest in the construction of a 13km section linking the Dong Dang – Tra Linh expressway with the Ta Lung border gate in Cao Bang province, as well as a road connecting the Dong Dang – Tra Linh expressway to Cao Bang city. He also urged the development of roads connecting Dong Dang – Tra Linh with other border gates.

Regarding the Huu Nghi – Chi Lang expressway, he requested banks to arrange and allocate credits as instructed and committed to serve the project. He also agreed to build an expressway linking Huu Nghi – Chi Lang expressway with the Tan Thanh border gate, as well as upgrading National Road 1B in Lang Son province.

The PM instructed the study of routes connecting expressways with economic zones, airports, seaports, border gates, industrial zones, service areas, and urban centers.

In the evening, PM Chinh visited and presented gifts to the border guards and other competent forces on duty at the Tan Thanh border gate in Lang Son.

He praised and acknowledged the efforts of the forces in carrying out their duties during the Tet holiday. He emphasised the need to continue efforts to build a smart border gate and maintain a border of peace, friendship, stability, cooperation and development with China.

The forces should enhance exchanges with Chinese counterparts, contributing to increasing people-to-people exchanges and economic connections in 2025, the year marking the 75th anniversary of Vietnam – China diplomatic relations, bringing tangible benefits to both countries and their people, the leader stressed.