The Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee recently approved the project's revised timeline, following a proposal from the Department of Construction to align with actual progress. The project, initially slated for completion in late 2025, has only reached over 70% of its contract value.

City leaders have instructed the Management Board for Investment and Construction of Traffic Projects, the project's investor, to implement urgent measures to accelerate construction. Key milestones include opening the N2 bridge branch by 31/12, allowing vehicles from the Long Thanh - Dau Giay expressway to turn right onto Mai Chi Tho boulevard towards Vo Nguyen Giap street.

By 15/1/2026, the HC1-02 underpass, connecting Mai Chi Tho boulevard with the Long Thanh - Dau Giay expressway, must be completed. This precedes the full completion of all remaining components by Q2/2026.

The An Phu interchange construction site, 10/2025. Photo: Giang Anh

The An Phu interchange project, launched in late 2022, boasts a total investment exceeding 3,400 billion VND. This three-level structure features a two-way underpass connecting the Ho Chi Minh City - Long Thanh - Dau Giay expressway with Mai Chi Tho boulevard, extending past the Saigon River tunnel and continuing through the Mai Chi Tho - Dong Van Cong intersection.

Above ground, the interchange will include hai overpasses: a Y-shaped overpass linking Mai Chi Tho boulevard (from the Hanoi Highway side) and Luong Dinh Cua street to the expressway access road, and a right-turn overpass from the expressway access road to Mai Chi Tho boulevard. At ground level, the interchange will incorporate a central roundabout and an iconic tower.

Specifically, at the Mai Chi Tho - Dong Van Cong intersection, in addition to the extended underpass, hai overpasses are being constructed to connect these routes. The existing Giong Ong To bridge on Dong Van Cong street will also see hai additional branches built to expand its capacity.

The HC1-01 underpass on Mai Chi Tho boulevard opened in late 6, helping to re-route traffic and create more space for construction. However, as this underpass is not yet connected to the Long Thanh – Dau Giay expressway, traffic conflicts persist, and congestion has not significantly improved. Besides this component, other structures like Ba Dat bridge and Giong Ong To bridge are largely complete.

Previously, due to delays in numerous components, Ho Chi Minh City leaders and relevant departments convened multiple meetings and conducted site inspections to resolve obstacles and expedite construction. According to the investor, the An Phu interchange project faces challenges stemming from complex traffic management, high vehicle density, and underground technical infrastructure issues.

Location of the An Phu interchange. Graphic: Khanh Hoang

The An Phu interchange is one of Ho Chi Minh City's largest, connecting the Long Thanh – Dau Giay expressway with Mai Chi Tho boulevard and the Luong Dinh Cua, Nguyen Thi Dinh, and Dong Van Cong routes. It serves as a crucial gateway to Cat Lai port, the nation's largest cargo port, which handles over 20,000 container trucks daily.

Giang Anh