Son Hai Group has formally requested Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha and relevant ministries to consider allowing the company, in collaboration with other investors, to conduct a feasibility study and prepare an investment proposal for the expansion of the eastern section of the North-South Expressway. The proposed expansion, covering the 679 km stretch from Quang Ngai to Dong Nai, would be implemented under a public-private partnership (PPP) model.

The company has committed to completing the project dossier within the stipulated timeframe and will bear all associated costs if the proposal is not approved.

The current 4-lane section of the North-South Expressway from Quang Ngai to Dau Giay (Dong Nai) lacks a continuous emergency stopping lane. The government has directed that this 679 km section, along with approximately 500 km of the North-South Expressway in other provinces, be expanded to 6 lanes.

The Nha Trang - Cam Lam Expressway invested by Son Hai Group. Photo: Bui Toan

At the end of last month, Son Hai Group also submitted a proposal to the government to study and invest in the expansion of a 263 km section of the expressway from Hoai Nhon (Binh Dinh) to Nha Trang (Khanh Hoa), also under the PPP model. This section is part of the larger Quang Ngai to Dau Giay route.

For this project, Son Hai Group has pledged to secure all necessary funding (including equity and legally mobilized capital) without using government budget funds. They have also committed to a construction timeline of no more than 24 months and a 10-year warranty on the completed work.

Vietnam has invested in approximately 1,375 km of the North-South Expressway, ranging from 2 to 4 lanes. Of this, 654 km belonging to phase 1 (2017-2020) are already operational. The remaining 721 km, part of phase 2 (2021-2025), are currently under construction and expected to be completed in 2025-2026.

Due to limited resources, several sections of the expressway have been built with only 2 to 4 lanes, which is insufficient to meet current traffic demands and presents a risk of congestion and safety hazards. In response, the government has directed the Ministry of Construction to explore options for expanding the entire expressway to 6 lanes, with the aim of commencing some component projects in 12/2025.

Anh Duy