Following the incident, officials from Ham Liem commune (formerly Binh Thuan) inspected the affected area of the Vinh Hao – Phan Thiet highway yesterday afternoon. The team found a significant amount of sand had flowed onto the highway from agricultural land 7-8 meters above the road, on the right side (northbound lane).

Vehicles clearing sand from the Vinh Hao – Phan Thiet highway on September 3rd. Photo: Viet Quoc

The inspection revealed that a section of the embankment near the highway's barbed wire fence had been eroded by water, creating a channel for sand to flow down the embankment and onto the road. Behind the embankment, a 3-hectare area had been excavated, forming large pits, some nearly 3 meters deep. These unfilled pits had collected water after recent heavy rain.

Ham Liem commune officials said this deserted area, far from residential areas (formerly part of Ham Chinh commune), had been subject to illegal sand mining in previous years. However, they currently "do not know who owns the land."

"We are having land management officials investigate to take corrective action," said Pham Dinh Vuong, Vice Chairman of Ham Liem People's Committee.

Ham Liem commune officials inspect the area where sand flowed onto the highway. Photo: Viet Quoc

Commune officials also noted the highway's high, non-concrete embankment along the affected area contributed to the sand flow.

The Vinh Hao – Phan Thiet Highway Management Board, Ham Liem People's Committee, and provincial authorities will inspect the site today to determine the cause of the sand overflow. Their aim is to find a long-term solution to ensure safety for vehicles using the highway.

Late on September 2nd, following heavy rain, floodwaters from the adjacent land carried a large amount of sand onto the northbound lane of the highway, creating a sand buildup over 0.5 meters deep. The highway was closed for over 3 hours to clear the sand.

Vinh Hao - Phan Thiet highway route. Graphics: Dang Hieu

The over-100-km Vinh Hao – Phan Thiet highway, opened in 5/2023, is part of the North-South Expressway's eastern section. Currently, a four-lane highway with a maximum speed of 90 km/h, it will be expanded to six lanes with a design speed of 120 km/h. This vital route connects south-central Vietnam with the southeast, reducing travel time between Phan Thiet, Nha Trang, and Ho Chi Minh City.

Viet Quoc