Breakthrough in transport infrastructure, promoting regional connectivity

Located in the center of the Mekong Delta, Vinh Long is facing a great opportunity to make a breakthrough thanks to key transport infrastructure projects. From the national highway system, expressways, large bridges, to the inter-regional coastal route, the province not only expands the space for socio-economic development but also creates a modern logistics, industrial and marine economic foundation.

Located in the center of the Mekong Delta, Vinh Long is facing a great opportunity to make a breakthrough thanks to key transport infrastructure projects. From the national highway system, expressways, large bridges, to the inter-regional coastal route, the province not only expands the space for socio -economic development but also creates a modern logistics, industrial and marine economic foundation.

Key national traffic works passing through the province have been playing a role in contributing to the province's socio-economic development. Photo: NGO ANH KHOA

Expanding development space

Vinh Long is considered the crossroads connecting major agricultural production centers of the Mekong Delta, with a coastline of about 130km, with outstanding potential for developing aquaculture, marine tourism and renewable energy.

According to the National Marine Spatial Planning for the 2021-2030 period, with a vision to 2050, the orientation to turn Vinh Long into the country's renewable energy export center, strongly developing offshore wind power and producing green hydrogen has been clearly identified.

According to Mr. Duong Van Ni - Deputy Director of the Department of Construction, Vinh Long has received special attention from the Government, the Prime Minister, ministries and central branches. Many important infrastructure projects have been and are being implemented such as: channel for large tonnage ships to enter Hau River (phase 2); upgrading National Highway 57 (Dinh Khao ferry section - Mo Cay town); upgrading National Highway 53 (Tra Vinh - Long Toan section); My Thuan - Can Tho expressway and My Thuan 2 bridge. Currently, the province is constructing 2 large bridge projects on National Highway 60 - Rach Mieu 2 bridge (inaugurated and put into use) and Dai Ngai bridge, with a total investment of about 14,772 billion VND.

In addition, the province is promoting procedures to deploy the coastal corridor and coastal road connecting Ben Tre - Tien Giang - Tra Vinh (old), in which Ba Lai 8 bridge has started construction with a total investment of 2,225 billion VND. These are projects that "unlock" new development space for Vinh Long.

Currently, the National Highway 53 project (Long Ho - Ba Si section) and Nga Tu bridge have been approved for investment using World Bank loans (2,601 billion VND). The National Highway 54 renovation and National Highway 60 investment projects are in the process of requesting capital adjustment for the province.

The province also proposed that the Central Government support 19,680 billion VND for the 2026-2030 period, prioritizing essential projects on National Highway 57, National Highway 57B, National Highway 60, National Highway 57C and coastal roads. This is considered a key condition to remove bottlenecks in the province's transport infrastructure.

Strengthening regional connectivity

According to the National Road Network Plan to 2050, the coastal road connecting the Mekong Delta provinces with Ho Chi Minh City is 801km long. Vinh Long is an important link in this chain.

Specifically, the Prime Minister approved the coastal corridor project in Tra Vinh using ADB loan capital (VND 9,187 billion) and the coastal road connecting Ben Tre - Tien Giang - Tra Vinh using ODA capital from Korea (VND 5,183 billion). On these two routes, there are 3 large bridges: Co Chien 2 (VND 3,500 billion), Ba Lai 8 (VND 2,225 billion) and Cua Dai (VND 4,564 billion).

When completed, it will seamlessly connect major seaports such as Dinh An, Cung Hau, river ports, economic centers, industrial parks, forming a complete logistics chain, reducing transportation costs, and increasing import-export capacity.

These projects not only expand the space for marine development, connecting the fisheries, tourism, energy and industrial economies, but also improve the efficiency of marine resource exploitation and attract investment in developing coastal economic zones.

This is also the foundation for shifting the economic structure towards green, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and increasing the ability to respond to climate change.

The previous provincial planning (Tra Vinh) identified the coastal road as the driving force for development, focusing on Dinh An Economic Zone - where renewable energy, seaports, logistics, processing industry, and tourism are concentrated.

In particular, the goal is to form a provincial logistics center, upgrade the warehouse system, logistics services, and apply information technology to increase productivity and logistics quality. In Ben Tre, the coastal road is positioned as one of five economic corridors, connecting the coastal cities of Binh Dai, Ba Tri, Thanh Phu with the coastal areas of Tra Vinh, Tien Giang and Ho Chi Minh City.

This is the foundation for developing processing industry, clean energy, logistics services, seaports, marine eco-tourism, high-end entertainment areas, golf courses, and green-smart urban areas.

In addition to roads, the Government also focuses on developing inland waterway transport. The Mekong Delta planning to 2050 aims to invest in 830km of expressways, 4,000km of national highways, 4 airports, 13 seaports, 11 passenger port clusters and 13 waterway cargo port clusters.

Vinh Long will implement projects such as Can Tho 2 Bridge, upgrading National Highway 80, National Highway 53, National Highway 54, National Highway 60, upgrading the Ham Luong River waterway, dredging the Tien and Hau rivers, and building the Ho Chi Minh City - Can Tho railway. These projects not only strengthen intra-regional connectivity but also expand trade with ASEAN, especially the Mekong sub-region.

Marine economic development

According to Mr. Duong Van Ni, Vinh Long has all the elements to become the logistics center of the Mekong Delta. According to the Master Plan for the development of Vietnam's seaport system 2021-2030, Vinh Long will form Ben Tre, Vinh Long, and Tra Vinh seaports with a diverse wharf system, capable of receiving ships from 5,000 to 50,000 tons.

Notably, Dinh An general port is being built with the capacity to receive 15,000-30,000 ton ships, becoming an important highlight for the regional logistics chain. Vinh Long is also implementing a research project to develop deep-water areas, surveying the potential for building deep-water offshore ports. This is an important premise to make Vinh Long one of the key provinces for marine economic development in the Mekong Delta in the future.

When the road, waterway, seaport and logistics infrastructure are synchronized, Vinh Long will become a major freight transit gateway in the region. Enterprises will benefit from reduced transportation costs, faster delivery times and higher competitiveness.

At the same time, the province has the conditions to attract investment in processing industries, renewable energy, logistics services, and marine tourism - creating new, sustainable growth momentum.

With its strategic location, abundant potential and a series of key projects under implementation, Vinh Long is gradually affirming its role as a traffic-logistics hub of the Mekong Delta.

Along with the support of the Central Government, the province needs to continue to proactively call for investment, complete planning, improve the quality of logistics services, train high-quality human resources and promote the application of digital technology in infrastructure management and operation. This is the way to turn the challenge of capital and unsynchronized infrastructure into a driving force for development. A Vinh Long with a modern connected traffic system, developed logistics, and a sustainable marine economy will not only be the "heart" of the Mekong Delta but also a bright spot in the picture of socio-economic development of the whole country.

In the 2026-2030 period, the coastal corridor project is a key national project, of strategic significance in inter-regional connectivity.

Strive to start construction as soon as possible, ensuring the project is completed according to the schedule approved by the Central Government.

KHANH DUY

Source: https://baovinhlong.com.vn/kinh-te/202510/dot-pha-ha-tang-giao-thong-day-manh-lien-ket-vung-bae03f4/