Ho Chi Minh City approves $1 billion project for Vo Van Kiet Highway extension to Tay Ninh

Ho Chi Minh City has approved a significant infrastructure project: the extension of the Vo Van Kiet Highway to the border of Tay Ninh province. The project carries a total investment of nearly VND 16 trillion, which converts to approximately $1 billion USD.

The planned highway extension will span about 15.1 kilometers, passing through areas in Ho Chi Minh City and Tay Ninh province. It will feature a 60-meter wide cross-section and accommodate six lanes of traffic. The project also includes the construction of six multi-level interchanges and the completion of two existing interchanges, along with integrated systems for drainage, technical trenches, sidewalks, lighting, and traffic safety.

According to the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee, the East-West Highway is a key artery connecting the eastern and western parts of the city and the Mekong Delta region. The current section connecting National Highway 1 to the Tay Ninh border remains undeveloped, leading to chronic congestion on existing routes like Tran Dai Nghia and Tran Van Giau. The new extension is expected to redistribute traffic flow, alleviate pressure on current roads, and shorten travel times, thereby reducing transportation costs.

The project's timeline is ambitious. Feasibility studies are expected to be completed and approved by the third quarter of 2026. Land acquisition and resettlement will commence in the same quarter. Construction is scheduled to start in the third quarter of 2028, with technical completion targeted for the fourth quarter of 2030, and the road is anticipated to be operational by January 2031. The project's success is also viewed in conjunction with the planned Duc Hoa Dynamic Axis Road in Tay Ninh province, aiming for synchronized development and enhanced economic impact.