Vietnam has put forward a plan to invest roughly VND 162.393 trillion, or about $6.2 billion, in three new expressways covering around 430.5 km. The government hopes the network will transform travel and trade across the whole country.

The three routes – the Bao Ha‑Tan Phong section of the Bao Ha‑Lai Chau Expressway, the Quang Ngai‑Kon Tum Expressway and the Moc Chau‑Son La‑Dien Bien Expressway – together add up to about 430.5 km. Their combined preliminary cost matches the VND 162.393 trillion figure announced by Minister of Construction Tran Hong Minh.

When the Bao Ha‑Lai Chau Expressway is completed, every one of Vietnam’s 34 provinces and centrally governed cities will have direct expressway access. This will end the current gap, as Lai Chau is currently the only province without an expressway passing through it.

According to the proposal, the new roads will cut travel times by 50‑60 % compared with the existing national highways. Faster journeys are expected to lower transport costs, attract investment and stimulate regional development.

The financing plan relies mainly on the central budget, which will provide about VND 158.342 trillion. Local budgets will contribute smaller amounts to cover compensation, assistance and resettlement for the affected communities.

Overall, the expressway programme is a cornerstone of Vietnam’s goal to reach 5,000 km of high‑speed roads by 2030, promising stronger economic links between all provinces. If the plan proceeds as scheduled, the expressways should be largely finished by 2030 and start operating in 2031.