Small-scale routes need to be reviewed.

In this group of issues, the questions focused on key contents including: Solutions to improve the transport infrastructure system, limit traffic accidents nationwide, reduce traffic congestion in major cities; state management responsibilities in inspection activities; solutions to remove difficulties, improve the quality of inspection of road and inland waterway motor vehicles; management of transport activities, vehicle quality; training, testing, granting, revoking and managing licenses to operate road and inland waterway vehicles.

The Minister of Transport Nguyen Van Thang is responsible for answering questions. Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha; Ministers of Planning and Investment, Finance, Construction, Science and Technology, Public Security, National Defense, Natural Resources and Environment, Justice, Governor of the State Bank of Vietnam and General Director of Vietnam Social Security also participated in answering questions and explaining related issues.

Questioning at the question-and-answer session, delegate Nguyen Thanh Hai - Provincial National Assembly Delegation stated that the current direction of the Prime Minister is to discourage investment in expressways with 2 lanes, causing waste of investment capital, ineffective exploitation and time loss. However, Mr. Hai cited that in Thua Thien Hue, there are 2 expressways, La Son - Tuy Loan and Cam Lo - La Son, due to small scale, low traffic volume and speed, so they mainly use National Highway 1A and in fact, many accidents have occurred. Therefore, delegate Nguyen Thanh Hai asked the Minister to inform whether there is a plan to review small-scale routes for upgrading or expansion.

Responding to this issue, Minister of Transport Nguyen Van Thang said that investing in complete 4-lane expressways is a correct and urgent need. The Prime Minister has always directed to try to invest in each route. However, due to limited resources, many routes only invest in 2 lanes and in fact, some routes do not have large traffic volumes. Currently, according to assessments, the country still has 5 2-lane expressways, of which Thua Thien Hue has 2 routes as delegate Hai mentioned.

The Minister of Transport acknowledged and accepted the opinion of delegate Nguyen Thanh Hai and said that in the coming time, the Ministry will coordinate with ministries, branches and localities to advise the Government on continuing to expand and prioritize capital and budget resources to upgrade 2-lane routes to complete 4-lane routes.

Reflecting on the fact that our country's transportation and logistics costs are quite high, possibly even higher than those of developing countries, Deputy Head of the National Assembly Delegation of Thua Thien Hue Province Nguyen Thi Suu asked the Minister of Transport to clearly state solutions to reduce transportation and logistics costs in the coming time?

Responding to questions, Minister Nguyen Van Thang informed that in recent years, our country's logistics costs have improved significantly. As of 2022, this cost accounts for 16.8% of GDP. Previously, in 2018 and earlier, it accounted for 21% of GDP. According to the plan, it is expected to reach 16-20% by 2025.

With this cost, Minister Nguyen Van Thang said it is still high compared to the world average (11%). Therefore, the Minister pointed out that the proposed groups of solutions are to continue developing infrastructure, strengthening the connection of seaports with highways, especially with the inland waterway system. Continue to review, research and propose policies on prices and transportation fees, such as reducing seaport fees and road infrastructure. Issue policies and mechanisms related to the operation of logistics supply chains so that businesses have the conditions to reduce costs, improve competitiveness and control costs. In addition, the application of information technology will be enhanced to control costs, develop green ports, smart ports, and improve exploitation capacity.

On the same morning, National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue also chaired a question-and-answer session on science and technology.

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