On July 6, following the groundbreaking ceremony, Hoang Phu Hien, Vice Chairman of the Nghe An Province People’s Committee, led a site inspection of XL01 package, a component of the Vinh–Thanh Thuy expressway project. The investor reported land clearance has been completed for about 5.5 of 6.3 kilometers, reaching 88%. The remaining sections in Hung Nguyên and Kim Liên involve residential land, defense land, fish ponds, and several infrastructure works awaiting handover. There are 11 land and material sites and 1 sand mine undergoing licensing under a special mechanism to support construction.
The Vinh–Thanh Thuy expressway project was approved by the 15th National Assembly under Resolution 255/2025/QH15 on December 11, 2025. It began construction on May 18 with a total investment of over 23.94 trillion VND. The expressway is over 60 kilometers long, beginning at the connection with the North–South Expressway East (Diễn Châu – Bãi Vọt segment) at the Hung Tay junction and ending at the Thanh Thủy border economic zone in Kim Bảng commune, Nghe An Province. It is a key part of the Hanoi–Vientiane corridor and connects directly with the North–South Expressway East, the Ho Chi Minh Road, and the national transport system.
Mr. Nguyen Duc Phuong, Director of the XL01 Project Management Board, said that immediately after the groundbreaking, the consortium led by Deo Ca Group and Delta Construction & Trading JSC focused resources on a coordinated construction plan across the entire route. The consortium plans to mobilize about 400 engineers and workers, with 110 machines, organizing 9 work fronts: 1 tunnel, 2 road fronts, and 6 bridges. The management board is rapidly completing supporting facilities, design dossiers, material testing, and conditions to commence mass construction.
However, the project still faces some bottlenecks, such as the eastern portal of the Dai Hue tunnel not yet handed over, and earth-fill sources depend on licensing for special-material mines, which could affect progress. After hearing the reports, the vice chairman urged the investor and contractor to focus on components not dependent on earth-fill, especially bridge works, to allow concurrent construction along the entire route.
Local authorities also urged the Project Management Board for Transport Construction to coordinate with relevant departments to speed up licensing for material mines, aiming to secure earth-fill by July 15 to support construction before the monsoon season; and to resolve land clearance bottlenecks, particularly at the two tunnel heads of Dai Hue.
The Vinh–Thanh Thuy expressway project is over 60 kilometers long, beginning at the connection with the North–South Expressway East (Diễn Châu – Bãi Vọt segment) at the Hung Tay junction and ending at the Thanh Thủy border economic zone in Kim Bảng commune, Nghe An Province. It is a key part of the Hanoi–Vientiane corridor and connects directly with the North–South Expressway East, the Ho Chi Minh Road, and the national transport system.
Package XL01 is implemented by a contractor consortium led by Deo Ca Group, including the Dai Hue tunnel (left 495m, right 499m, each leg 14.05m wide); 11 bridges (4 on the main route, 7 on branches and bypasses); 6 underpasses; and 43 drainage culverts. The plan calls for Dai Hue tunnel boring in March 2027, completion of tunnel and bridge works by March 2028, and full completion of the package by May 2028.
The project’s development is aligned with broader transport corridors and national infrastructure goals, reinforcing Nghe An’s role in regional connectivity and economic development.
This infrastructure project is of significant importance to Nghe An, the North-Central region, and the East–West economic corridor between Vietnam and Laos. Upon completion, it will widen development space, strengthen regional linkages, spur trade, tourism, and logistics, attract investment, and enhance local and regional competitiveness.
Officials note that progress depends on licensing for earth-fill materials and land clearance bottlenecks. Local authorities have urged speeding up licensing for material mines to secure earth-fill by July 15 to support construction before the monsoon season and to resolve land clearance bottlenecks at the two tunnel heads of Dai Hue. The schedule calls for Dai Hue tunnel boring in March 2027, tunnel and bridge works completed by March 2028, and full package completion by May 2028.
