December 19th Massive Construction Site: Highway Opens, Ca Mau No Longer Far Away

After nearly three years of construction efforts, the Can Tho - Ca Mau expressway project is preparing for technical opening as directed by the Prime Minister on December 19, 2025. The Can Tho - Ca Mau expressway not only solves transportation problems but is also a strategic "key" to resolving logistics bottlenecks, creating momentum for Ca Mau's economic breakthrough and strongly connecting trade for the entire Mekong Delta region.

Ca Mau is not far away.

The main route of the North-South Expressway Eastern section from Can Tho to Ca Mau passes through Vi Thuy commune, Can Tho city. Photo: Duy Khuong/TTXVN.

In recent days, people in the region and Ca Mau province have been eagerly awaiting the technical opening of the Can Tho – Ca Mau expressway on December 19, 2025, as directed by the Prime Minister . Sharing with reporters, Mr. Truong Van Ut, the owner of a transportation business in Long My ward (Can Tho city), said that previously, traveling to Ca Mau took nearly 3 hours to reach the provincial center, a long distance that was time-consuming and costly in terms of fuel.

Mr. Truong Van Ut also shared that now, upon hearing the news about the technical opening and the upcoming operation, not only he but most businesses in the ward are very excited because of the convenience and significant cost reduction. Mr. Ut added that it is estimated that traveling from Long My ward to the center of Ca Mau province via the expressway takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes.

According to Mr. Nguyen Van Lam from Giai Phong hamlet, Hung My commune (Ca Mau province), in recent days, people in Hung My, Cai Nuoc, and Dat Moi communes have been very happy to learn that the Can Tho - Ca Mau expressway has opened for technical testing and will soon be put into operation. This is because the road to the central city of the Mekong Delta region is now closer, making it easier for the elderly to go to the doctor, for children to go to school, and for businesses to conduct production and trade more conveniently than before.

According to Mr. Lam, this expressway has broken the monopoly of the narrow and frequently overloaded National Highway 1A and the Quan Lo Phung Hiep – Ca Mau route. The completion of the expressway will help Ca Mau transform, connect trade and goods easily, and develop the economy of the southernmost region of the country.

The main route of the North-South Expressway Eastern section from Can Tho to Ca Mau passes through Vinh Tuong commune, Can Tho city. Photo: Duy Khuong/TTXVN.

According to Mr. Tran Van Thi, Director of the My Thuan Project Management Board, in order to meet the deadline for technical opening on December 19, 2025, as directed by the Prime Minister, the investor has instructed the contractor to increase shifts and mobilize over 1,150 machines and equipment and 2,100 workers to work day and night to ensure the technical opening deadline is met.

The Can Tho – Ca Mau expressway project has a main route length of 110.85 km, divided into two sub-projects: the Can Tho - Hau Giang section and the Hau Giang - Ca Mau section, with the My Thuan Project Management Board as the investor, and a total investment of 27,523 billion VND. It is estimated that once the expressway is operational, the travel time from Can Tho city to Ca Mau province will be reduced to approximately 2 hours, halving the travel time compared to current routes.

Creating momentum for economic growth.

The main route of the North-South Expressway Eastern section from Can Tho to Ca Mau passes through Vinh Tuong commune, Can Tho city. Photo: Duy Khuong/TTXVN.

According to many businesses in the Mekong Delta region, the Can Tho - Ca Mau expressway, which is undergoing technical testing and is about to be put into operation, will create seamless transportation links and open up opportunities for national development. This is a key factor in helping the Mekong Delta provinces overcome regional bottlenecks and join the country in entering a new era.

Dr. Tran Khac Tam, Chairman of the Soc Trang (formerly) Provincial Business Association, believes that the biggest bottleneck to the region's economic development, namely transportation infrastructure, has been resolved. When the Can Tho – Ca Mau expressway opens for technical testing and begins operation, it will reduce the average transportation cost between Ca Mau province and Can Tho city by approximately 15-25%. Furthermore, it will help increase added value, meet the standards of domestic and international markets, thereby enhancing price and quality competitiveness, and elevating the reputation of Ca Mau province's seafood products in particular, and agricultural products of the Southwestern region in general.

According to Lam Van Bi, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Ca Mau province, the major transportation projects being implemented in the province are of great importance, especially the Can Tho - Ca Mau expressway project. It not only completes the strategic infrastructure system but also creates a breakthrough in the development of the marine economy, ensures national defense and security, and promotes comprehensive socio-economic development for the people in the southernmost region of the country.

The Ca Mau Provincial Party Committee, the Provincial People's Committee, and the people expect these projects to open up new development opportunities, strengthen inter-regional connectivity, promote tourism and trade, create more jobs, and maximize the potential and strengths of the locality, especially in tourism, renewable energy, and seafood processing.

In 2025, Ca Mau province's economic growth is estimated at 8%, with export turnover reaching US$2.6 billion, a 6.4% increase compared to the same period. According to the plan for the 2026-2030 period, the average annual growth rate of the province's Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP) is projected to be 10% or higher; GRDP per capita is expected to exceed US$6,000 by 2030, and total export turnover over the five-year period is estimated at approximately US$17 billion.

According to the leaders of the Ca Mau Provincial People's Committee, in the period 2026-2030, Ca Mau has ample room for development. Transportation infrastructure is gradually being completed, especially with the Can Tho – Ca Mau expressway project undergoing technical testing and soon being put into operation, which will open up many opportunities for the province to achieve a breakthrough in economic growth. The province is focusing on removing obstacles to accelerate construction progress and bring key projects, especially strategic national and regional projects, into use as soon as possible.

According to the leaders of Ca Mau province, in order to achieve double-digit growth in 2026 and the following years, Ca Mau province will continue to maintain economic stability, develop production and business in a sustainable direction, improve productivity, quality and competitiveness of the economy. It will accelerate economic restructuring associated with innovation in growth models, effectively exploit the potential and advantages of the locality, especially the marine economy, high-tech agriculture, processing industry, renewable energy, and gradually develop a synchronized socio-economic infrastructure system…

Source: https://baotintuc.vn/kinh-te/dai-cong-truong-1912-cao-toc-mo-loi-ca-mau-khong-con-xa-20251218153528245.htm