Accelerating towards the goal of synchronized connectivity.

With a series of strategic infrastructure projects in the Southeast region entering an accelerated phase, aiming for synchronized connectivity to serve the operation of Long Thanh Airport by the end of 2026, monitoring is not only aimed at reviewing implementation progress but also at addressing bottlenecks and accelerating construction.

Báo Đại biểu Nhân dân•15/05/2026

Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly Nguyen Hong Dien, along with the Supervisory Delegation of the Economic and Financial Committee, recently conducted a field survey of key transportation projects in the South, including: the Bien Hoa - Vung Tau expressway project, the Long Thanh International Airport project, the Ho Chi Minh City Ring Road 4 project, and the Ho Chi Minh City Ring Road 4 project.

Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly Nguyen Hong Dien inspects the Ho Chi Minh City Ring Road 4 construction project. Photo: Hoa Le

Review, adjust, and ensure project progress.

At the Bien Hoa - Vung Tau expressway project, Nguyen Van Long, Director of Project Management Board 85, stated that the project has a total length of 53.7km, with Phase I having 4 to 6 lanes, and a total investment of 17,837 billion VND. The goal is to complete and put it into operation in conjunction with the Eastern North-South Expressway, Long Thanh International Airport, connecting economic and port centers; maximizing the potential of Cai Mep - Thi Vai seaport, and meeting transportation needs.

Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly Nguyen Hong Dien inspects the Long Thanh International Airport construction project. Photo: Hoa Le

To date, component projects 2 and 3 have put the main route into operation since April 29th. Currently, the route is operating stably; the overpass connecting road 770B with the expressway will continue to be implemented in the next phase to complete the connection with Long Thanh Airport.

Supporting components such as the Intelligent Transportation System (ITS), service roads, U-turn lanes, and weight control stations are continuing to be implemented to ensure synchronous completion by mid-2026. Component project 1 is currently finalizing the last procedures to prepare for opening to traffic before May 19th.

Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly Nguyen Hong Dien inspects the Ho Chi Minh City Ring Road 3 construction project. Photo: Hoa Le

Deputy Minister of Construction Le Anh Tuan added that the Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) will play a particularly important role in traffic management, operation, and monitoring of vehicle load on the route. The project includes investment in a surveillance camera system, weight stations, an operations center, and many other modern operational management items. Authorities are also studying the addition of electric vehicle charging stations along the route to meet the future trend of green transportation.

According to the Ministry of Construction, by the end of 2026, the road transport system connecting Long Thanh Airport with Ho Chi Minh City will be basically completed, integrated, and interconnected, meeting the needs of travel and airport operations in the initial phase. The main connecting network includes the Ho Chi Minh City - Long Thanh - Dau Giay, Bien Hoa - Vung Tau, and Ben Luc - Long Thanh expressways, the Ho Chi Minh City Ring Road 3, and routes 25B and 25C being developed by Dong Nai Province.

Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly Nguyen Hong Dien inspects the Bien Hoa - Vung Tau expressway construction project. Photo: Hoa Le

Specifically, the Bien Hoa - Vung Tau expressway has put into operation the main sections of component projects 2 and 3; component project 1 is expected to be completed and put into operation the main section this May. The Ho Chi Minh City Ring Road 3 is also being accelerated to gradually form a complete inter-regional connection network, reducing traffic pressure in the eastern gateway area of the city.

Regarding the progress of the Long Thanh Airport project, phase 1, the Director of the Long Thanh Project Management Board, Vu Pham Nguyen An, stated that key contract packages have been reviewed and their schedules adjusted to ensure the airport begins commercial operation by the end of 2026. Contractors have been instructed to develop additional construction scenarios under adverse weather conditions to compensate for delays in key items. Currently, many items in the passenger terminal area, runway, aircraft parking area, and internal airport transportation system are being constructed around the clock with the mobilization of manpower and equipment.

During a site survey of the Ho Chi Minh City Ring Road 4 project, the monitoring team assessed that this inter-regional transport project plays a particularly important role in completing the strategic infrastructure network of the Southern region, strengthening connectivity between industrial centers, logistics hubs, seaports, and Long Thanh airport, and opening up new development opportunities for the entire Southern key economic region.

According to Bui Xuan Cuong, Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee, the project will be implemented starting in 2025 and is expected to be completed and put into operation in 2029. Currently, localities are focusing on preparing, appraising, and approving feasibility studies; at the same time, they are leveraging special mechanisms to carry out many procedures simultaneously, shortening the investment preparation time. However, the implementation progress still falls short of the set requirements.

Regarding the Ho Chi Minh City Ring Road 3 Project, the Vice Chairman of the City People's Committee also stated that the project has a total length of 76.34km, divided into 8 component projects. To date, component projects 1, 3, and 7 are basically meeting the set plan; component project 5 is approximately 6.6% behind schedule. The reason is that from the end of February 2026 to the present, due to the impact of the global situation, the prices of raw materials and fuel have increased sharply, leading to higher costs for material extraction, transportation, and equipment operation, directly affecting contractors and the progress.

Accelerate construction to ensure timely operation.

During a field survey, Vice Chairman of the National Assembly Nguyen Hong Dien highly appreciated the results achieved by the investment and construction units. These are strategic infrastructure projects, interconnected and of great importance to the socio-economic development of the Southeast region and the Southern key economic zone, as well as the entire country. They contribute to expanding development space, enhancing national competitiveness, strengthening regional connectivity, promoting smart economic organization and urban development, and creating resources to achieve sustainable economic growth in the future.

In particular, the Ho Chi Minh City Ring Road 4 project is a long-term strategic project in regional development planning. It is not only an inter-regional transportation route but also a strategic corridor for industrial, urban, and service development, directly connecting to Long Thanh Airport, the Cai Mep - Thi Vai port complex, and major industrial zones and logistics centers throughout the region.

At the projects, the Vice Chairman of the National Assembly requested the units to clarify the difficulties and obstacles affecting the progress of the projects. Regarding the Bien Hoa - Vung Tau expressway, the Vice Chairman of the National Assembly requested the investors and contractors to specifically review the progress of completing the remaining items, such as toll stations, the control area, and the technical operation system, to ensure synchronized operation.

Regarding the Ho Chi Minh City Ring Road 4 project, the Vice Chairman of the National Assembly requested that localities and relevant units focus on accelerating land clearance work and promptly complete procedures to ensure progress according to plan.

Regarding the Long Thanh airport project, after conducting a field survey of the terminal area, runways 1 and 2, and internal airport transportation infrastructure, the Vice Chairman of the National Assembly requested the investor to closely coordinate with contractors and accelerate the construction of key items to ensure the airport is put into operation on schedule by the end of 2026. At the same time, special attention should be paid to the progress of connecting transportation infrastructure projects to ensure synchronized operation and maximize investment efficiency when the airport becomes operational.