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Facing slow progress at many rest stops under construction and incomplete essential items, the Vietnam Directorate for Roads (Ministry of Construction) has ordered an acceleration of works, requiring completion by April 30 to meet travel demand during the peak period.
The Directorate said construction progress has been slow and lacks decisiveness. To date, 15 of 21 rest stops have been put into operation, with some public service facilities serving travelers on the expressway. Six rest stops have not yet been opened.
Under the contract schedule, the rest stops are basically required to be completed in Q1–Q2 2026. Despite repeated reminders and warnings, the progress has not met requirements.
To ensure synchronized completion of the rest stops and meet travel demand—especially during the 30/4 and 1/5 holidays and the 2026 summer peak—the Directorate for Roads requires investors to strictly comply with contractual obligations.
The Directorate emphasized that if contract obligations and laws are violated, investors will bear full responsibility and may face legal consequences.
Project management boards are required to fulfill their responsibilities by strengthening inspections, pushing progress, and monitoring investors. They must also coordinate with local authorities to remove obstacles, particularly resolving land clearance at the Vinh Hao–Phan Thiết rest stop (Km144+560).
Road management regions are also tasked with regularly checking sites, updating construction progress, and promptly addressing safety and environmental concerns, especially at rest stops already providing public services.
According to a Directorate report, on the North–South Expressway there are 24 rest stops invested. Contracts have been signed with investors to implement 21 stops, while 3 stops are undergoing investment procedures.
As of end-March 2026, road authorities assess that rest stop investment is slow due to localities delaying land clearance. For example, Lam Đồng province has not cleared the site at Vinh Hao–Phan Thiết (Km144+560).
Investors also face difficulties in investment decisions, including selecting design consultants, completing project appraisal, project management, contractor selection, and project approval procedures, as well as design work.
Of the 21 rest stops under investment, 15 have been put into operation. Among these, 4 have gas stations, while the remaining ones are under construction.
To accelerate progress, after signing contracts the Directorate for Roads has coordinated with local authorities, project management boards, and investors to hasten implementation and resolve obstacles. The stated aim is to complete all 21 expressway rest stops in 2026.
Source: Phan Trang, Government Newspaper.
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