Urgent action at the plateau gateway.
In the last week of January, as the biting cold of the highlands began to creep in, we arrived at the construction site of National Highway 28B. At midnight, amidst the swirling mist and red dust, the roar of excavators and rock-moving machines still echoed from a corner of the forest. Under the headlights, cranes and excavators continued to tirelessly load rocks at a section of the mountain being cut to straighten the road.
Returning to the construction site during the day, the changes are even more evident than two months ago. The infrastructure picture of National Highway 28B is now a hopeful blend of bright and dark colors. In sections where asphalt has been laid, lane markings have been quickly and urgently painted after the final layer of asphalt is completed to ensure traffic safety.
According to the latest report from the Lam Dong Department of Construction, contractors have completed approximately 57 km of crushed stone base course and over 50 out of 68 km of compacted asphalt concrete paving. However, construction progress remains challenging in unfinished sections, especially at overpass construction sites and treacherous mountain passes. Here, the scene of "running and queuing" is common, with road rollers, asphalt pavers, and other construction machinery interspersed with traffic, creating a hurried and urgent atmosphere, but also posing significant pressure on traffic safety.
Ensuring smooth traffic flow during the Tet holiday.
During the Lunar New Year holiday, traffic volume on National Highway 28B is expected to surge, as it is the shortest route connecting Da Lat with the Vinh Hao - Phan Thiet expressway. During a site inspection in mid-January 2026, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Vo Ngoc Hiep requested that contractors immediately repair unfinished sections to ensure smooth and safe traffic flow for the public, especially during the upcoming Tet holiday. He also instructed contractors to deploy personnel on duty 24/7 to manage traffic.
Witnessing the changes on National Highway 28B these days, Mr. Nguyen Van Hiep (a resident of the Da Lat area) couldn't hide his excitement. He shared: “The road is still very difficult because it's under construction. But last year, traveling on this road was even harder, with potholes and dangerous winding mountain passes. Now the road is widened, many sections have been paved smoothly, and many dangerous curves have been straightened. We are very happy. I hope the road will be completely finished by March so that people can travel to the North-South Expressway more easily.”
Mr. Hiep's wish is also the aspiration of thousands of households along this route. National Highway 28B is not just a concrete and steel road, but a road of connection, of livelihoods, and of profound change.
And will everything be alright by March 2026?
Why is the March 2026 deadline so crucial for the government and people of Lam Dong province? According to the plan, in March 2026, Lien Khuong Airport – Lam Dong's only international airport – will have to close for repairs and upgrades. With the airport temporarily closed for six months, the burden of connectivity will fall entirely on the road network.
At this time, National Highway 28B will play the role of shortening travel time from Lien Khuong or Da Lat to Ho Chi Minh City to only 5 hours (saving 2 hours compared to using National Highway 20). In the context of National Highway 20 being frequently overloaded, National Highway 28B, directly connecting to the North-South Expressway, will be the perfect road route, ensuring that trade, transportation , and tourism in the province maintain a stable pace. The National Highway 28B project began construction in 2024, aiming to strongly connect the region within and between regions. The project has a total investment of 1,435 billion VND and a length of 68 km.
To implement this solution, the provincial leadership continues to aggressively direct the land clearance efforts. According to the Department of Construction, as of now, localities have handed over approximately 67 out of 68 km (98.5%). The remaining 1.5%, though small, is the most challenging, mainly located in the section from Km0+000 to Km0+500 and scattered across 20 households.
However, it is worth noting the positive aspects, particularly the decisive involvement of the political system. Song Luy and Phan Son communes have completed 100% of the handover process. In Luong Son commune, the compensation plan approval rate has reached nearly 97%. Nevertheless, delays in relocating electricity and water infrastructure in some sections are a major obstacle, and Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Vo Ngoc Hiep has directed that these issues be resolved promptly to ensure the road is completed by March 2026.
Source: https://baolamdong.vn/quoc-lo-28b-chay-dua-voi-thoi-gian-422439.html
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