The Vietnam Road Administration recently submitted a proposal to the Ministry of Construction for investment approval. The project aims to upgrade and expand specific sections of national highway 1, traversing Da Nang, Quang Ngai, Gia Lai, Dak Lak, Khanh Hoa, Tay Ninh, Dong Thap, and Vinh Long.

The project includes upgrading and expanding twelve bypasses. These are: Vinh Dien and Ba Ren bridge in Da Nang; Quang Ngai city (Tra Khuc 2 bridge); Bong Son, Phu My, Ngo May, and An Nhon in Gia Lai province; Song Cau, Tuy Hoa, and Ban Thach in Dak Lak province; Dien Khanh in Khanh Hoa province; and Vinh Long in Vinh Long province.

These bypasses will be developed to grade 3 delta road standards. They will feature a design speed of 80 km/h, four lanes, a 20.5 m wide roadbed, and a 14 m wide road surface.

National Highway 1 in Trang Bom commune, Dong Nai, experiences congestion during peak periods. *Photo: Phuoc Tuan*

Additionally, the project involves investing in three interchanges: Long Kim and Binh Nhut in Tay Ninh province, and the Tan Huong industrial park interchange in Dong Thap province. The Long Kim and Binh Nhut interchanges will be grade-separated, prioritizing traffic flow on national highway 1. The Tan Huong industrial park interchange will be an at-grade intersection, controlled by an artificial intelligence-powered traffic light system.

The total project investment is estimated at 10,650 billion VND. This amount allocates approximately 6,020 billion VND for construction, 2,950 billion VND for site clearance and technical infrastructure relocation, with the remaining funds covering project management, consulting, and contingency costs.

Funding for the project is expected to come from the state budget, as part of the 2026-2030 mid-term public investment plan. Construction is slated to begin in Q3/2027 and is anticipated to be completed in early 2030.

National Highway 1 is a vital North-South transport axis, connecting four major growth hubs: Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, and Can Tho. It also links five dynamic regions across the country. Upgrading the existing two-lane bypasses from Da Nang to Vinh Long will help complete national highway 1 according to its master plan, significantly improving the operational capacity of the North-South transport corridor.

Anh Duy