Breakthrough in traffic infrastructure, creating a central connection position

The 2020 - 2025 term left a strong mark on the socio-economic development picture of Lao Cai province. In particular, the transport infrastructure sector emerged as a breakthrough bright spot, shaping a new stature, helping Lao Cai gradually realize its aspiration to become a "growth pole" of the Northern Midlands and Mountains region.

Looking back over the past five years, it can be affirmed that Lao Cai has had a well-planned, focused, and targeted strategy for investing in transportation infrastructure. Instead of spreading resources thinly, the province has concentrated its efforts to create a strong impetus for growth.

Notably, the Noi Bai - Lao Cai Expressway connecting to Sa Pa, a BOT (Build-Operate-Transfer) project, officially commenced operation in early 2024. This project, particularly the Mong Sen Bridge – the elevated bridge with the tallest piers in Vietnam – has completely resolved the dreaded issue of the treacherous "three-tiered slope" on National Highway 4D. This is a strategic boost for tourism – the province's key economic sector – ushering in a new era in attracting and serving tourists.

In addition, many other key projects have been completed or are underway, contributing to the improvement of the transportation network in the area. New bridges across the Red River, such as the Lang Giang Bridge (completed in 2022) and the Phu Thinh Bridge (opened to traffic in 2024), have broken the isolation, effectively connecting the two banks of the river and opening up new development opportunities for the former Lao Cai city and Bao Thang district.

Similarly, in the former Yen Bai province, projects such as Co Phuc Bridge, Gioi Phien Bridge, and especially the road connecting National Highways 37 and 32C with the Noi Bai - Lao Cai Expressway, have created strategic transportation axes, expanding the development space for the former Yen Bai city.

Not only focusing on large-scale projects, the province's transportation network has undergone a significant transformation. During the period 2021-2025, the province invested in upgrading and renovating 410 km of national highways and 720 km of provincial roads.

In particular, approximately 4,200 km of rural transportation infrastructure has been upgraded. This comprehensive investment has fundamentally transformed the infrastructure from urban to rural areas, boosting trade and comprehensively improving people's lives.

A strategically significant step during this term is the launch of the Sa Pa Airport Project. From the approval of the plan and land clearance to the groundbreaking ceremony, the first bricks have been laid. This project is identified as a solid foundation for a completely new mode of transportation, promising to propel Lao Cai to "take off" in the future.

Entering the 2025-2030 period, Lao Cai's transportation development strategy is no longer simply about resolving domestic bottlenecks, but rather an ambitious transformation, creating the province into a modern multimodal logistics center, deeply connected with the region and internationally.

This vision is built on the seamless integration of three strategic transportation pillars, revolving around the "Dynamic Economic Axis along the Red River".

Expanding the Noi Bai - Lao Cai expressway, specifically the Yen Bai - Lao Cai section, to four lanes is an urgent requirement to enhance the capacity of this key road network, ensuring a smooth flow of goods and passengers to the Southwest China market.

Building upon that solid road infrastructure, the completion and operation of the future Sa Pa Airport will open up a completely new dimension of connectivity. Sa Pa Airport will not only boost high-end tourism but also create a competitive advantage for transporting high-value goods, attracting investment and international experts.

The "piece of the puzzle" expected to reshape the entire economic role of Lao Cai is the international standard gauge railway line. This is a strategic step that will shorten travel time, reduce logistics costs, and transform Lao Cai from a border province into an indispensable link in the international goods supply chain.

The combination of expressways, airports, and international rail links will create a complete transportation ecosystem, serving as a springboard for Lao Cai to truly take off.

It is evident that Lao Cai has been implementing a consistent and decisive strategy for developing its transportation infrastructure. These projects not only have economic and social value but also symbolize the province's aspiration for progress, affirming its position as a dynamic international economic and trade hub.

Source: https://baolaocai.vn/dot-pha-ha-tang-giao-thong-kien-tao-vi-the-trung-tam-ket-noi-post884621.html