The proposed Ha Tien - Rach Gia - Bac Lieu expressway, stretching approximately 212 km with four lanes, is set to become a vital artery in the Mekong Delta. The My Thuan Project Management Board recently submitted a pre-feasibility study report to the Ministry of Construction, outlining an estimated total investment of 121,770 billion VND for option one, a low-lying route. An alternative, an elevated bridge route, would cost 175,337 billion VND. This project is prioritized for investment before 2030, according to the national road network master plan.

The expressway will traverse An Giang, Can Tho, and Ca Mau provinces and cities. Its starting point connects national highway 80 at the Ha Tien border gate in Ha Tien ward, An Giang province, while the ending point intersects national highway 1 in Bac Lieu ward, Ca Mau province. Technical design is scheduled for 2027, with construction expected to commence in Q3/2027 and completion by 2030.

Simulation of the Ha Tien - Rach Gia - Bac Lieu expressway route. *Graphics supported by AI.*

Designed for a speed of 100 km/h, the expressway will feature a cross-section width of 24,75 m. It will include a median strip and inner safety strip, each 2,25 m wide, along with emergency stopping lanes on both sides, each 3 m wide.

The project is divided into 4 sub-projects: sub-project one spans approximately 45 km through An Giang province; sub-project two is approximately 52 km, also in An Giang; sub-project three is approximately 49 km, traversing An Giang and Can Tho City; and sub-project four is approximately 46 km, extending through Can Tho City and Ca Mau province. Additionally, two type 2 rest stops, each covering approximately 3 ha, are planned along the route. Their construction and operation will be implemented under a private sector involvement model.

North-South expressway section Can Tho - Ca Mau, 12/2025. *Photo: Huy Phong*

This expressway holds significant strategic importance, as detailed in the road network master plan for 2021-2030, with a vision to 2050, approved and adjusted by the Prime Minister. The Ha Tien border gate serves as a connection point between the Mekong Delta region, Cambodia, and Thailand. This expressway is identified as a vital horizontal axis, linking economic and urban centers such as Xa Xia, Ha Tien, Kien Luong, Hon Dat, Rach Gia, Giong Rieng, Vi Thanh, and Bac Lieu, thereby establishing an international intermodal transport corridor.

The project will gradually complete the expressway network, contributing to improving transport infrastructure quality and promoting socio-economic development in the Mekong Delta region.

Anh Duy