In the early days of the Lunar New Year of Binh Ngo, construction activities along the eastern section of the North-South Expressway traversing Dak Lak Province have proceeded in a brisk, uninterrupted manner, with a palpable sense of urgency prevailing throughout the worksites.

The eastern section of the North-South Expressway for the 2021-2025 period running through the province spans approximately 90 kilometres, extending across 11 communes as well as wards. Implementation is carried out via two component projects together with four large-scale construction packages. Among these, the Quy Nhon - Chi Thanh component project covers roughly 42.07 kilometres, passing through Xuan Loc, Xuan Canh, Xuan Tho plus Tuy An Bac communes, with Project Management Board 85 under the Ministry of Construction acting as investor. The Chi Thanh - Van Phong component project, stretching 48.052 kilometres, runs across several key localities and is managed by Project Management Board 7 in the role of investor.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh inspecting the construction site of the Quy Nhon - Chi Thanh Component Project.

Up to now, the Quy Nhon - Chi Thanh section has generated construction value amounting to VND 10.096 trillion from a total capital figure of VND 10.571 trillion, representing 96 percent relative to signed contracts. Contractors are focusing on completion of final work items. Meanwhile, the Chi Thanh - Van Phong section has attained VND 8.164 trillion from VND 8.767 trillion, equivalent to 93.12 percent compared with contractual commitments. The remaining workload is being fast-tracked, with completion scheduled for March 2026.

Mr. Le Quoc Dung, Director at Project Management Board 7, stated that immediately following the Lunar New Year holiday, contractors mobilised maximum resources, deploying 36 construction teams, 488 vehicles plus equipment units, alongside roughly 1,000 engineers as well as workers operating continuously across the entire route. The overarching objective remains completion of the project on schedule in accordance with Government directives.

A key factor driving acceleration stems from the provincial proactive approach regarding supply of construction materials. The locality has allocated six earth mines, five sand mines, six soil-rock extraction sites, along with commercial stone quarries, delivering more than 12.4 million cubic metres of soil, 2.5 million cubic metres of stone plus 2.6 million cubic metres of sand since 2024. This has secured a stable materials supply, without additional obstacles emerging throughout the construction process.

Ensuring synchronous completion to maximise long-term effectiveness

During a recent on-site inspection at the construction site, Prime Minister, comrade Pham Minh Chinh stressed that the eastern section of the North-South Expressway represents not merely a transport project but a “new development driving axis”, unlocking vast space for local growth, contributing towards lower logistics costs, stronger connectivity as well as heightened investment appeal. All units are tasked with securing synchronised completion across the entire route prior to commissioning, concentrating not solely on the main carriageway but likewise on the supporting infrastructure network.

Contractors focusing on completing the Chi Thanh - Van Phong Component Project in order to bring it into operation on schedule.

Accordingly, components including service roads for residents, drainage systems, guardrails, protective fencing, emergency lay-bys, traffic signage, lighting plus rest stops must be executed in parallel, thereby maintaining consistent technical standards. Stopping lanes, emergency lay-bys, signage together with drainage facilities must be finalised in full compliance with regulations, avoiding shortcomings once traffic begins operation. Concerning rest stops, the Prime Minister instructed prompt finalisation of investor selection procedures along with acceleration of construction progress so as to place these facilities into service at the earliest opportunity. Establishment of service points along the corridor will not simply benefit residents; it will also generate momentum for commercial activities as well as service-sector expansion, thus boosting local revenue streams.

Beyond technical aspects, the head of Government placed special emphasis on efficiency following investment. “Local authorities should proactively review the transport network providing connectivity, optimise national plus provincial highways integrated with the expressway to create a unified, seamless system; examine revisions to socio-eco development planning aligned with the route; clearly delineate economic corridors, industrial parks, urban zones, logistics centres alongside commercial service hubs so as to maximise advantages derived from the new infrastructure,” the Prime Minister instructed.

Translated by HAI LOAN