Connecting green spaces

The mountainous regions of northern Thai Nguyen province have witnessed many glorious chapters in history, but they also face numerous challenges such as complex terrain, slow economic development, and fragmented transportation. It is precisely in these hardships that the people here demonstrate unwavering loyalty, perseverance, and a strong desire to improve. With the province's determination and the community's solidarity, the journey of building and connecting roads has become the key to unlocking the dormant potential of this mountainous region.

Construction is underway on the Cho Moi - Bac Kan expressway section passing through Thanh Thinh commune.

A journey of forging a path through the vast wilderness.

Nestled amidst the vast, verdant forests, Ba Be National Park and Ba Be Lake stand like "mountain maidens" hidden in the morning mist, beautiful and pristine, yet for many years quiet due to poor transportation infrastructure. To unlock this potential, since 2021, three key transportation projects have been implemented simultaneously: Bac Kan - Ba Be Lake, Quang Khe - Khang Ninh, and the infrastructure system around Ba Be Lake. With a total investment of over 4,700 billion VND, this marks a significant turning point, opening a dynamic link for the development of tourism and the regional economy .

Mr. Nguyen Anh Tuan, Director of the Northern Region's Investment and Construction Project Management Board for Transportation and Agriculture , said: "The mountainous terrain is complex, with many sections traversing forests and cliffs, and there is added pressure to land clearance. The more difficult it is, the more determined we are to complete the task."

In reality, the construction of the three projects has always faced significant challenges. Prolonged rains, successive landslides, and Typhoon Yagi caused damage estimated at around 60 billion VND. Materials were scarce due to the small capacity of the stone and sand quarries in the area. At the same time, legal procedures, especially the conversion of forest land use, delayed progress. The construction around Ba Be Lake is located within the core zone of Ba Be National Park, requiring extremely careful design and construction to minimize impact on the ecosystem.

Besides technical requirements, land clearance work involves more than 1,000 households. Many families have to relocate or reduce their production land. Thanks to effective communication and transparency in compensation, the majority of people have agreed. A resident of Dong Phuc commune expressed his joy: "With the road, trade will be easier, and the lives of people in the lake area will surely change and become more prosperous."

The newly opened Bac Kan - Ba Be Lake road has significantly shortened travel time from the northern center of the province to the lake area.

For the first time, the former Bac Kan province established a Steering Committee for key transportation projects, chaired by the Provincial Party Secretary. Numerous meetings lasted through the night, and many surprise inspections were conducted to promptly address difficulties. The presence of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha at the Bac Kan - Ba Be Lake route construction site demonstrated the government's strong determination. The message, "We will do it, not back down; overcome the sun and rain; what we say we will do, and what we do must be completed," became a source of motivation for the engineers and workers on the route.

The pace of construction at the site is always hectic. Even on freezing cold days or during sudden mountain rains, the construction teams and crews still work in shifts through the night. Hoang Van Tho, a machine operator, shared: "We work in the cold and we work in the rain. We just hope to finish on schedule."

A representative from 299 Construction and Trading Joint Stock Company stated: The company has increased night shifts to support workers staying at the construction site. The application of MSE retaining wall technology, the first of its kind in the province, helps shorten construction time, is suitable for sloping terrain, and reduces environmental impact.

Of the three projects, the Quang Khe - Khang Ninh route, over 17km long, was the most challenging. The Don Den peak, over 1,000m high, is prone to landslides. But after months of persistent construction, the road was completed on schedule, providing convenient access for dozens of highland villages.

The paths of the new era

The Ba Be - Na Hang route is being constructed at an accelerated pace, with the aim of completing the main components by the end of 2025.

The new roads not only shorten travel time from the old Bac Kan City to Ba Be Lake to about 30 minutes instead of nearly two hours, but also contribute to changing the face of the lake area. Houses and tourism services have developed significantly, and trade opportunities have expanded. "Seeing the road take shape, I feel happy and proud to have contributed to the transformation of my homeland," shared Mr. Nong Van Chien, Deputy Director of Hong Ha Joint Stock Company.

Not stopping at Ba Be Lake, the investor is implementing phase 2 with a route from Ba Be Lake to Na Hang (Tuyen Quang), over 44km long, expected to be completed in 2025. This route will create a continuous tourism axis connecting Nui Coc Lake - Ba Be Lake - Na Hang - Ban Gioc Waterfall. At the same time, the Cho Moi - Bac Kan expressway is being accelerated; the Bac Kan - Cao Bang expressway has been approved by the Government for investment before 2030, opening up an important economic corridor connecting with the Thanh Thuy, Tra Linh - Ta Lung border gates and many economic regions in the North.

From a land once heavily reliant on transportation, today, roads traversing the vast mountains are opening up a new future for northern Thai Nguyen. More than just infrastructure value, these roads symbolize unity, resilience, and aspiration for development, connecting not only regions but also faith and hope for a new era in this mountainous area.

Source: https://baothainguyen.vn/giao-thong/202512/ket-noi-nhung-mien-xanh-2cb3c37/