A series of multi-billion dollar projects helps Ho Chi Minh City solve its 'thirst' for inter-regional transportation connectivity.

Ho Chi Minh City is considered the economic "engine" and the main growth driver of the entire country, contributing nearly a quarter of the total GRDP. However, this strategic position is being hampered by its own transportation infrastructure. Chronic traffic congestion has become a major obstacle, eroding competitiveness and hindering the flow of trade in the key economic region of the South.

z3425237969436 a42d00d262c04ad4048ddc9986b35286 249.jpg — Ho Chi Minh City faces serious overload in the urban core. Photo: Tuan Kiet.

Big bottleneck holding back the economic "locomotive"

Ho Chi Minh City's traffic infrastructure connection is a major "bottleneck", seriously hindering the transportation of goods, affecting economic connectivity between the Southeast, the Mekong Delta and neighboring regions.

The Ho Chi Minh City - Long Thanh - Dau Giay Expressway, considered the "backbone" connecting the eastern region of Ho Chi Minh City with Dong Nai and Long Thanh Airport, is currently operating at 1.5 times its capacity. Daily traffic volume has exceeded 63,500 vehicles, significantly higher than the designed maximum of 44,000. Traffic congestion is frequent, especially on weekends, holidays, and Tet (Lunar New Year).

Similarly, the Ho Chi Minh City - Trung Luong - My Thuan Expressway connects Ho Chi Minh City with the West. The average daily traffic volume is up to 56,000, exceeding the road's capacity.

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In addition, key national highways including National Highway 22 connecting Ho Chi Minh City with Tay Ninh , National Highway 13 connecting the Central Highlands provinces or National Highway 1, 51 connecting Ho Chi Minh City with Dong Nai to Vung Tau are also in the same situation, traffic jams 'like daily meals'.

This overload creates "bottlenecks" that hinder the overall development of the entire region, not only wasting time and fuel but also directly affecting freight transport and stifling the development of the entire Southern key economic region.

Waiting for a series of projects worth hundreds of thousands of billions to "rescue" Ho Chi Minh City's traffic

Over the years, the Government and local authorities have developed a comprehensive and synchronized strategy, not just individual projects but a closely interconnected system. The solution to this problem lies in a series of large-scale transportation infrastructure projects, with investments totaling hundreds of trillions of dong, which are being implemented urgently.

First and foremost is Long Thanh International Airport (phase 1), with an investment of nearly 110,000 billion VND, dubbed the "gateway to the world," and expected to begin commercial operation in 2026. This project will not only alleviate congestion at Tan Son Nhat Airport but also become an international air transit hub, attracting investment, developing tourism, and providing modern logistics services.

w san bay long thanh 3433.jpg — Long Thanh Airport under construction. Photo: Hoang Anh.

Next, the Ho Chi Minh City Ring Road 3 is being implemented, considered the "backbone" of the regional transport network. Ring Road 3 will create a new economic corridor, directly connecting large industrial zones in Dong Nai and Tay Ninh provinces with airports and seaports without having to go through the center of Ho Chi Minh City.

Recently, on August 19th, a series of projects were launched, expected to provide further impetus and help resolve infrastructure bottlenecks. First is the expansion project of the Ho Chi Minh City - Long Thanh - Dau Giay expressway, an urgent project costing nearly 15,000 billion VND to address traffic congestion and connect to the future Long Thanh International Airport. The project involves upgrading 22km to 8-10 lanes and constructing a new Long Thanh bridge to enhance traffic capacity.

The construction of 3 new expressways has helped complete the traffic picture and increase regional connectivity. Including the Ho Chi Minh City - Moc Bai expressway, with a capital of more than 19,600 billion VND, is the final "piece" to help Tay Ninh become a dynamic trade gateway with Cambodia.

Dau Giay - Tan Phu Expressway, with a capital of VND8,496 billion, contributes to completing the traffic network, connecting Dong Nai, Ho Chi Minh City with the Central Highlands, reducing the load on National Highway 20.

Gia Nghia - Chon Thanh Expressway is part of component project 1 of the Western North-South Expressway, with a capital of 19,965 billion VND, creating a breakthrough development momentum for the northern area of Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Binh Duong), Dong Nai province and the Central Highlands region.

z6739800143085 45031cdf641fa1efeed4f717e535c673 52711.jpg — Traffic jams have become a major barrier, eroding competitiveness and hindering the flow of trade in the key economic region of the South. Photo: Tuan Kiet.

Furthermore, the Ben Luc - Long Thanh expressway, nearly 58km long and costing almost 30,000 billion VND, directly connects the Mekong Delta with the Southeast region. Upon completion, this expressway will create a new traffic flow, allowing vehicles from the Mekong Delta to easily access Long Thanh Airport and the seaports of Ba Ria - Vung Tau (formerly) without having to go through Ho Chi Minh City.

With the Bien Hoa - Vung Tau expressway, nearly 54km long and costing over 17,800 billion VND, it will help alleviate congestion on the National Highway 1-National Highway 51 axis, shorten travel time from Dong Nai to Ba Ria - Vung Tau (formerly), create a new transportation axis, directly connect industrial zones, seaports and tourist areas, and closely link with the future Long Thanh airport.

According to Vietnamnet.vn

Source: https://baoangiang.com.vn/loat-du-an-ty-do-giup-tphcm-giai-con-khat-ket-noi-giao-thong-lien-vung-a427211.html