Risk of "late appointments" at rest stops and operational bottlenecks on the North-South Expressway

Rest stops are considered essential infrastructure serving the people and are a condition for the implementation of toll collection on the North-South Expressway from the beginning of 2026. However, up to now, a series of rest stops are still behind schedule and if not resolutely implemented, they will face the risk of "missing the deadline" on December 31, 2025.

A rest stop on the North-South Expressway is under construction. (Photo: PV/Vietnam+)

Continuously delayed progress

Regarding site clearance, 15/21 stations have received the entire site handover, 6 stations including: Cam Lo-La Son, Quang Ngai -Hoai Nhon (Km15), Nha Trang-Cam Lam, Cam Lam-Vinh Hao, Vinh Hao-Phan Thiet (Km144), Phan Thiet-Dau Giay have partially handed over the site.

Affirming that he has worked with localities to resolve the problem and reported to the Ministry's leaders to send documents to localities on site clearance, Mr. Ngo Lam, Deputy Director of the Vietnam Road Administration, assessed that, however, up to now, there are still 5 provinces including: Quang Tri (1 station), Quang Ngai (1 station), Khanh Hoa (2 stations including 1 station in the old Ninh Thuan province), Lam Dong (1 station in the old Binh Thuan province), Dong Nai (1 station) that have not completed site clearance.

Currently, there are 17 stations under construction, of which 4 stations have basically completed public service works including: Ham Nghi-Vung Ang, Vung Ang-Bung, Vinh Hao-Phan Thiet (Km205), Phan Thiet-Dau Giay; 4 stations are leveling and constructing the foundation of public service works Mai Son-National Highway 45, Nghi Son-Dien Chau, Dien Chau-Bai Vot, Van Phong-Nha Trang; 9 stations have gathered equipment, leveled the ground, and leveled the ground; 4 stations have not been deployed including: Cam Lo-La Son, Vinh Hao-Phan Thiet Km144 due to site clearance problems, Hau Giang -Ca Mau, Can Tho-Hau Giang due to newly signed contracts and project preparation.

Pointing out the reason for the slow implementation of investment in the construction of rest stops, Mr. Lam said that in highway projects when investing in construction, the stations are mainly about 1 hectare in size. However, according to Decision No. 938/QD-BGTVT dated July 31, 2023, the stations are all 3-5 hectares in size on each side, so it is necessary to add procedures that prolong the time for site clearance, especially at a time when land regulations have many changes (according to the 2024 Land Law, the planning and land use plan must be adjusted to be eligible for compensation and site clearance).

For example, of the 8 stations that signed contracts in 2024, up to now, only 4 stations have not yet handed over the full land area of ​​Nha Trang-Cam Lam, Cam Lam-Vinh Hao, Vinh Hao-Phan Thiet (Km144), Phan Thiet-Dau Giay. Of the 13 stations that signed contracts in 2025, by September 2025, only 11 stations have been handed over the full land area, while 2 stations have not yet handed over the full land area of ​​Cam Lo-La Son, Quang Ngai-Hoai Nhon (Km15).

Although the Vietnam Road Administration and project management boards have many guiding and urging documents, Mr. Lam admitted that in the past, the implementation of investors has been very confusing (under the authority and responsibility of investors), especially in the selection of design consultants, appraisal, project management, construction contractors and project approval and design procedures.

As the investor implementing 9 rest stops along the North-South Expressway, according to Mr. Dang Hai Trieu, Director of Rest Stop Management Consulting of the Vietnam National Petroleum Group (Petrolimex), the construction progress of the rest stops is behind schedule due to being heavily affected by adverse weather conditions, especially the prolonged heavy rains in the past time; difficulties in "unclear" ground causing the construction to be done while waiting for the ground; lack of foundation materials.

For example, at the Nha Trang-Cam Lam rest stop (Km33+930) with a scale of 3 hectares each, the site has been handed over in 6 phases, but up to now the locality has not completed the site clearance work (0.54 hectares left) despite the commitment to complete it in October. Or the Quang Ngai-Hoai Nhon station must carry out procedures to change the purpose of forest land and recover minerals. Currently, Petrolimex is implementing the construction of the ground leveling, access roads, and temporary station (reaching 53% of the ground leveling work).

“Petrolimex commits to highly concentrating human resources, working overtime, and is determined to basically complete essential public service works of rest stops before December 31, 2025 to serve people and vehicles traveling on the expressways when put into operation. This is an important and urgent task and one of the conditions for implementing toll collection on expressways invested by the State,” Mr. Trieu affirmed.

Handling of delayed investor responsibilities

In order to speed up the project's progress, the Vietnam Road Administration requires investors to complete essential public service works (parking lots, restrooms, and operating houses) before December 31, 2025, and at the same time create a detailed progress schedule for the Administration to control weekly.

“Initially, the difficulties have been resolved, and some stations have basically completed public service works such as Ham Nghi-Vung Ang, Vung Ang-Bung, Vinh Hao-Phan Thiet (Km205), expected to be put into operation in November 2025. However, the remaining stations are at risk of not completing public service works in 2025 if investors do not have drastic solutions in implementing construction works,” Mr. Lam acknowledged.

To speed up the progress of rest stops and ensure the completion of public service projects in 2025, the Ministry of Construction assigned the Vietnam Road Administration to review the progress weekly with investors. If the progress is not met, it is necessary to propose handling of the responsibility of the investor according to the contract. For stations with site problems, synthesize reports to the Prime Minister at meetings of the State Steering Committee for important national projects and key transport projects to direct localities.

The Ministry of Construction requires investors of rest stops to seriously rectify their direction and management to avoid further delays in implementing rest stops as in the past, to speed up progress, and complete public service projects according to the schedule required by the Government, the Prime Minister, the Ministry of Construction, and the signed contract.

The project management board continues to coordinate with localities to completely resolve existing problems and obstacles regarding the site at rest stops Cam Lo-La Son, Quang Ngai-Hoai Nhon (Km15), Nha Trang-Cam Lam, Cam Lam-Vinh Hao, Vinh Hao-Phan Thiet (Km144), Phan Thiet-Dau Giay to hand over the entire remaining site to investors; in case of difficulties or problems, proactively report to the leaders of the Ministry of Construction in charge to work with localities to promptly resolve them, so as not to affect the project's progress./.

According to VNA

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/nguy-co-tre-hen-cac-tram-dung-nghi-diem-nghen-van-hanh-cao-toc-bac-nam-269013.htm