Prime Minister: Accelerate the construction progress of key transportation projects.

The Prime Minister requested that in case of difficulties or obstacles, the investor and contractors should work together, "only discuss how to proceed, not how to retreat," dare to think and act, and bring the project to completion on schedule.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh inspects the progress of the T3 passenger terminal construction project at Tan Son Nhat International Airport. (Photo: Duong Giang/VNA)

The Government Office has just issued Notice 70/TB-VPCP dated February 28, 2024, summarizing the conclusions of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh during his inspection and working trip on the implementation of key transportation projects. The Prime Minister requested continued efforts to uphold patriotism and responsibility, striving for greater determination and hard work, working diligently, overcoming challenges, eating quickly, sleeping urgently, working in shifts (3 shifts, 4 teams), working through holidays and Tet (Lunar New Year), and even on Saturdays and Sundays to accelerate construction progress and strive for completion ahead of schedule for each project component and the entire project. He emphasized the importance of "clear thinking, high determination, great effort, decisive and effective action." In all cases of difficulties, obstacles, and challenges, the investor, contractors, and all forces involved in the project must work together in unity, focusing only on action, never retreating, demonstrating the highest determination, proactive creativity, and a willingness to think outside the box to overcome all challenges and bring the project to completion on schedule. They should study and learn from experience by avoiding the fragmentation of contracts into smaller packages, thereby facilitating management and construction implementation. Management, inspection, and supervision should be strengthened to improve project quality, absolutely preventing any negative practices, corruption, or waste. Environmental sanitation must be ensured. Emphasis should be placed on creating a pleasant environment and shared space for completed projects, reflecting the cultural values ​​and unique characteristics of each region and locality.

Before April 30, 2025, complete the Tan Son Nhat International Airport Terminal T3 Passenger Terminal Project.

Regarding the Tan Son Nhat International Airport Terminal 3 Project, ACV has made many efforts to implement the project to meet the required schedule. However, the need to put the project into operation early is very urgent to alleviate congestion at Terminal 1. Therefore, it is necessary to strive to shorten the timeline and complete and put the project into operation before April 30, 2025, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the complete liberation of Southern Vietnam and national reunification (April 30, 1975). To ensure the progress, quality, technical and aesthetic aspects of the project, and its efficient operation, the Prime Minister requests ACV to urgently review and study the connection plan between the three terminals at Tan Son Nhat Airport to ensure convenience, fast traffic flow, and avoid localized congestion. Directing contractors and relevant units to focus on rebuilding the detailed schedule and developing an overall schedule with a critical path based on the new project completion target. Launching a competitive emulation campaign until April 30, 2025, commemorating the complete liberation of Southern Vietnam and national reunification, including appropriate forms of motivation, rewards, and incentives for agencies, units, officials, engineers, workers, and employees.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh inspects the progress of the T3 Passenger Terminal construction project at Tan Son Nhat International Airport. (Photo: Duong Giang/VNA)

Further research will be conducted on the architectural design, creating aesthetic highlights for the terminal building; enhancing lighting, greenery, landscaping, environmental sanitation, and ensuring architectural harmony. Emphasis will always be placed on ensuring occupational safety throughout the entire construction site at all times, absolutely preventing any occupational safety incidents. Planning and construction of civilized, modern, distinctive, green, clean, and beautiful service areas will be carried out; the selection of service providers at the terminal will be conducted in accordance with regulations, ensuring fairness, openness, and transparency. The Ministry of National Defense will study the option of relocating the command center of the 370th Air Force Division to free up space for civil aviation, thereby facilitating traffic, improving the landscape of Terminal 3, and efficiently operating Tan Son Nhat International Airport; simultaneously, developing operational solutions to meet national security and defense requirements, and reporting to the Prime Minister in April 2024...

Long Thanh International Airport Project Phase 1: 2024 is the year of acceleration, 2025 is the year of breakthrough, with the first six months of 2026 focusing on completion and handover.

Regarding the Long Thanh International Airport Project, Phase 1, this is a nationally important project, with the investment policy approved by the National Assembly in 2017 and the investment project approved by the Prime Minister in 2020. However, the initial implementation process was very slow due to many reasons, including subjective reasons on the part of the investor. Thanks to the decisive direction of the Government and the Prime Minister, the active involvement, support, and attention of all levels and sectors from central to local, especially the Ministry of Transport and the State Capital Management Committee, and the responsible and proactive approach of ACV in overcoming limitations, there have been many positive changes. After two years, a large volume of work has been implemented, notably the selection of an international contractor for the largest and most important package of the project (passenger terminal 5.10); many tasks have been implemented with positive results. In the coming period, the Prime Minister requested ministries, sectors, localities, the State Capital Management Committee at enterprises, and ACV to focus on implementing the tasks. Regarding progress, relevant units (contractors, consultants, supervisors, etc.), and every official, engineer, worker, and employee should be instructed to clearly identify 2024 as a year of acceleration and 2025 as a year of breakthrough, so that the first six months of 2026 will focus on completing and handing over the project for operation. Ministries and sectors should urgently implement component projects, ensuring their completion in synchronization with the main items of the Project when it is put into operation. Efforts should be made to shorten the completion time, expedite construction, and save construction time. Investors should urgently revise the overall schedule and detailed schedule of new completion milestones for each component project as a basis for implementation, inspection, and monitoring.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh works with contractors and construction units of the Long Thanh International Airport investment and construction project. (Photo: Duong Giang/VNA)

Launching an emulation movement with specific tasks and objectives from now until April 30, 2025, to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the complete liberation of Southern Vietnam and national reunification. Regarding quality, relevant agencies must regularly inspect and strengthen supervision to ensure the quality of the project according to regulations. Regarding aesthetics and environmental hygiene: requirements for aesthetics and environmental hygiene must be ensured; the project must bear the architectural mark, and the landscaping and greenery must be arranged appropriately to the natural conditions of the area, contributing to the beauty of the project; strengthen the management of labor safety on the construction site, especially when many project components are implemented simultaneously; continue to launch the campaign for 1 million safe working hours on the construction site. The People's Committee of Dong Nai province should urgently study the planning for the development of Long Thanh city as an airport city; Review the list of individuals needing vocational retraining, labor allocation, prioritizing vocational training, recruitment, job creation, and livelihoods to address the resettlement entitlements for people in accordance with regulations. Direct relevant units to urgently appraise the dossiers of state management agency headquarters under Component Project 1 as a basis for implementation to meet the overall progress of the Project. Complete land clearance work definitively and hand over the land to investors as soon as possible. The Ministry of Transport, in coordination with the People's Committee of Dong Nai province, will propose the resettlement of households affected by other projects into the Loc An-Binh Son residential and resettlement area, and report to the competent authority for consideration in accordance with regulations. Lead and coordinate with relevant agencies to study the implementation plan for phase 2 of the project and the second runway, and report to the competent authority for investment immediately after the completion of phase 1. Expeditiously implement component project 4 (other works). There are plans for design, construction, and construction management applying BIM technology. The Ministry of Planning and Investment will soon appraise the project to adjust the resettlement policy; finalize the draft for submission to the Prime Minister for consideration and decision. Relevant ministries, agencies, and localities must strictly implement the directives of Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha - Head of the Working Group for the Long Thanh International Airport Construction Investment Project Phase 1 - at the Working Group meeting on December 29, 2023. Regarding highway construction investment projects, including the Ho Chi Minh City Ring Road 3 project, the People's Committee of Ho Chi Minh City will review and propose a plan for supplying sand for leveling to serve the project, to be completed before February 28, 2024. Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha is tasked with directing and chairing a meeting of the Ministries of Natural Resources and Environment, Transport, Construction, and local authorities (An Giang, Long An, Vinh Long, Dong Thap, Tay Ninh, Tien Giang, Ben Tre, Tra Vinh , etc.) to coordinate and definitively resolve the issue of sand for road embankment to ensure sufficient and timely supply for the project (to be completed no later than March 2024). The People's Committee of Dong Nai province is urged to expedite land clearance and hand over 100% of the land for project construction before June 30, 2024 (with the Tan Van-Nhon Trach section to be completed no later than March 31, 2024). The Ministry of Transport and local authorities (Binh Duong and Dong Nai provinces) are closely coordinating with the People's Committee of Ho Chi Minh City in the process of implementing the investment in the Ho Chi Minh City Ring Road 3 to ensure the timely completion of component projects and their simultaneous commissioning, thereby maximizing the effectiveness of the route. The Ministry of Transport has directed the My Thuan Project Management Board to accelerate the construction progress of the Nhon Trach bridge project, specifically the Tan Van-Nhon Trach section, striving for completion by April 30, 2025, to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the complete liberation of Southern Vietnam and national reunification; simultaneously, a comprehensive review is being conducted to find solutions to expedite the construction of connecting sections to the bridge to ensure the route is open and the project is put into operation as soon as possible. A working group has been established in Dong Nai to support and guide the Dong Nai Provincial People's Committee in land clearance for the Bien Hoa-Vung Tau Expressway Project. The Bien Hoa-Vung Tau Expressway Project commenced in June 2023. Although contractors have prepared equipment and personnel, there is a lack of available land and a scarcity of earth fill materials in the component projects within Dong Nai province. Land clearance for the project in Dong Nai province is progressing very slowly; six resettlement areas are under construction, of which two in Bien Hoa City, Dong Nai province, have only had their detailed construction plans approved at a 1/500 scale and have not yet begun construction. To expedite the project's progress, the Prime Minister requested that the Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Vietnam Electricity Group (EVN) send a working group to Dong Nai to directly support and guide the Dong Nai Provincial People's Committee and investors in relocating high-voltage power lines. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment will establish a working group led by a Deputy Minister to Dong Nai to directly support and guide the Dong Nai Provincial People's Committee in the project's land clearance work. The Dong Nai Provincial People's Committee is responsible for accelerating compensation, support, and resettlement (encouraging voluntary resettlement), and completing the handover of all land by June 30, 2024 at the latest. Regarding conventional material quarries serving the project, the People's Committee of Dong Nai province is responsible for urgently identifying sufficient sources of embankment materials for the projects and promptly completing procedures to assign contractors to exploit them under the special mechanism stipulated in Resolution No. 106/2023/QH14 of the National Assembly and other Government Resolutions. Regarding the proposal to use land in a portion of the planned T3 terminal area of ​​Long Thanh International Airport (phase 2) to create a source of embankment soil for the Bien Hoa-Vung Tau project, the People's Committee of Dong Nai province is responsible for implementing it within its authority to ensure timely supply to the Project. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment is responsible for guiding and supporting the People's Committee of Dong Nai province, promptly resolving any difficulties during implementation; and coordinating with the Ministry of Transport and relevant agencies to report to the Prime Minister and competent authorities for consideration and decision on issues beyond its authority. Regarding the 2024 capital plan, the Prime Minister assigned the Ministry of Planning and Investment the responsibility of balancing and allocating funds for 2024 to the People's Committee of Ba Ria-Vung Tau province to ensure sufficient capital for the planned increase in 2024, guaranteeing the project's construction and absolutely preventing any impact on the construction progress due to lack of funds. Regarding the addition of interchanges: The Ministry of Transport, in coordination with the People's Committees of Dong Nai and Ba Ria-Vung Tau provinces, will review and add interchanges to effectively utilize the expressway and expand development space (studying the placement of an interchange approximately every 10 km).

Urgent assessment of the Ho Chi Minh City-Moc Bai Expressway Project.

Regarding transportation projects connecting Ho Chi Minh City and Dong Nai, the Ministry of Planning and Investment is urgently carrying out the appraisal of the Ho Chi Minh City-Moc Bai Expressway Project, to be completed in February 2024. The State Capital Management Committee at Enterprises is directing the Vietnam Expressway Investment and Development Corporation (VEC) to finalize the investment study plan for expanding the Ho Chi Minh City-Long Thanh-Dau Giay Expressway; and to chair and coordinate with relevant ministries and agencies to review and report to Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha, proposing a maximum of two most feasible options for consideration and decision. Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha is tasked with meeting with relevant ministries, agencies, and organizations to submit a proposal for approval by the competent authority in March 2024. The Ministry of Transport will lead a comprehensive study on transportation connectivity between Tan Son Nhat International Airport and Long Thanh International Airport, including investment in connecting railways (elevated or underground), ensuring timely and synchronized operation of both airports upon commissioning.

Consider using surplus public investment funds from the 2021-2025 period to straighten and expand the Cai Mep-Thi Vai waterway, enhancing its capacity to receive ships.

Regarding the development of seaports and maritime activities, with the Can Gio international transshipment port, the People's Committee of Ho Chi Minh City is implementing the Prime Minister's directive in Notice No. 52/TB-VPCP dated February 13, 2024, from the Government Office on the conclusions of the Prime Minister at the 2nd Conference of the Steering Committee for the implementation of Resolution No. 98/2023/QH15 of the National Assembly on piloting some specific mechanisms and policies for the development of Ho Chi Minh City. The Ministry of Transport is urgently considering and deciding within its authority or reporting to the competent authority for consideration and decision on the recommendations of the Vietnam Maritime Administration and Tan Cang Saigon Corporation: allowing the use of surplus public investment capital from the 2021-2025 period to widen and expand the Cai Mep-Thi Vai channel to improve ship receiving capacity; increasing the capital for maintaining the channels, especially the Cai Mep-Thi Vai channel, to ensure standards for large ships entering/leaving the port; Allocate funds for the construction of new search and rescue vessels to enhance support for maritime operations.

The super container ship M/V OOCL SPAIN at Gemalink port (Cai Mep - Thi Vai port complex, Phu My town, Ba Ria-Vung Tau province). (Photo: Huynh Son/VNA)

Priority should be given to investing in inland waterway transport systems (especially inland waterways connecting the Cai Mep-Thi Vai port area with the Mekong Delta and the Southeast region), developing inland waterway terminals, dry ports, and railway lines to facilitate the transportation of goods to/from major seaports, thereby reducing transportation and logistics costs, and enhancing the competitiveness of Vietnamese goods compared to the region and the world . The Prime Minister assigned Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha to directly supervise ministries, sectors, and localities to urgently resolve issues within their authority, accelerate the implementation of projects, paying particular attention to resolving resettlement issues, protecting the legitimate rights and interests and livelihoods of the people; connecting the expressway system, implementing non-stop toll collection at airports; and reporting to the Prime Minister on any obstacles or issues beyond their authority. The Government Office, in coordination with the Ministry of Transport, monitors and urges ministries, sectors, and localities to implement assigned tasks; and promptly reports the results of task implementation to the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Ministers in accordance with the Government's working regulations.

(Vietnam+)

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