Vietnam's Mekong Delta Boosts Economy with Key Highway Project

The Cao Lanh-An Huu Expressway construction project (Phase 1), a key infrastructure development in Vietnam's southern Mekong Delta region, is being rapidly advanced with the aim of stimulating local economic growth and enhancing socio-economic development. This project, a priority for Dong Thap province, is expected to expand development space and strengthen inter-regional connectivity. The total investment is nearly VND 7,500 billion (approximately USD 300 million), and it is divided into two components to be implemented between 2022 and 2027. Component 1 covers approximately 16 km with an investment of around VND 3,640 billion, while Component 2 spans 11.45 km with an investment of approximately VND 3,856 billion. Component 1 commenced construction on June 25, 2023, and Component 2 is scheduled to begin on August 27, 2024. Despite unpredictable weather, construction sites for Component 1 are bustling with activity. Contractors are mobilizing all available human resources and equipment, working overtime and in shifts to accelerate progress. In the area of Kenh Sang bridge in My Tho commune, asphalt paving has been completed, indicating progress ahead of schedule. Mr. Huynh Cong Dat, Deputy Commander of Dacinco Investment and Construction Company, stated that to meet the deadline, the company and its consortium partners have concentrated their resources, working even during the peak rainy season in the Mekong Delta. The section undertaken by his company has entered its final stages, with bridge paving completed ahead of the investor's plan. Currently, the construction progress for Component 1 has reached approximately 80%. Over 2 km of the 16 km route have been asphalted, with the remaining sections awaiting subgrade treatment and pavement structure completion. The goal is to finalize subgrade completion and aggregate base course laying by August 2026. Mr. Nguyen Van Thiep, Chief Construction Supervisor for Component 1, noted that over 200 pieces of machinery and nearly 300 engineers and workers are engaged daily. The contractors are striving to mobilize materials, labor, and equipment to expedite progress, aiming for project completion in 2026. However, the project faces a challenge with the shortage of construction stone. Mining sites in An Giang province, which previously supplied materials, have ceased operations and are awaiting renewed permits. To address this, the investor is requesting support from stone-producing localities and actively seeking commercial stone from various suppliers. Simultaneously, the construction atmosphere at Component 2 of the Cao Lanh-An Huu Expressway is also highly dynamic. Viaducts and river crossings on the main route have completed their rough construction, and contractors are diligently installing expansion joints and working on subgrade compaction. According to Mr. Bui Anh Tue, Deputy Commander of the Truong Son Construction Corporation (leading the contractor consortium), the overall project progress is nearly 80%. For the main route section his corporation is handling, 2.3 out of 4.6 km are ready for load testing, with over 1.25 km of stone layer completed, and trial asphalt paving expected in August 2026. Among the 15 road culverts, nine are under construction, and the remaining six will commence once the subgrade is ready. Work may temporarily halt during heavy rains for safety and quality assurance, but teams resume immediately after and work late into the night to maintain the schedule. The plan is for the entire project to be completed by December 20, 2026, with the road opening to traffic by the end of the year. This expressway project is vital for the economic development of the Mekong Delta, expected to significantly improve logistics efficiency and regional cooperation.