Prime Minister Phạm Minh checks on the construction progress of the Hậu Giang - Cà Mau section of the Cần Thơ-Cà Mau expressway project. VNA/VNS Photo Dương Giang

CÀ MAU – Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính requested that the Cần Thơ-Cà Mau expressway project must be completed by December 19, 2025 to welcome National Resistance Day, during his working trip to inspect the project on Sunday.

The expressway, spanning over 110 km, connects Cần Thơ city with Hậu Giang, Bạc Liêu, Kiên Giang, and Cà Mau provinces, complemented by 25.85 km of connecting routes.

Divided into Cần Thơ–Hậu Giang and Hậu Giang–Cà Mau sections, the four-lane expressway is invested by the Mỹ Thuận Project Management Board. With an investment exceeding VNĐ27.5 trillion (US$1.1 billion), construction began on January 1, 2023, with four packages.

During his eighth on-site inspection, the PM directed continuous construction, including at weekends and during holidays, with workers arranged into “three shifts, four teams” to ensure both progress and quality.

At a subsequent working session with ministries, agencies, and Cà Mau authorities, he reviewed the expressway’s status, alongside other critical transport projects in the region.

PM Chính requires rhe project to be completed by December 19, 2025.

The PM invoked the spirit of Reunification Day (April 30), urging ministries, agencies, and localities to act with urgency, boldness and flexibility to address infrastructure challenges in the Mekong Delta.

He highlighted the need to apply scientific and technological advancements to shorten construction time, ensuring safety, quality, and environmental standards.

He said it is necessary for localities involved in the project to provide support for the project management board and contractors and for military forces to be mobilised to assist in environmental restoration efforts.

The Government leader also urged the planning and building of appropriately scaled rest stops along the expressway.

In the coming period, PM Chính instructed agencies to swiftly prepare for the second phase of the Mekong Delta expressway projects for 2026 – 2030.

He tasked the Ministry of National Defence with developing the expressway section from Cà Mau to Đất Mũi and onward to Hòn Khoai port along the shortest and most direct route possible. Meanwhile, Cà Mau province was assigned to carry out land clearance under a separate project, with the central government committing to cover 50 per cent of the cost.

To support a modern, integrated logistics infrastructure system in the region, the leader directed the Ministry of Construction to expedite the design of a railway line from HCM City to Cần Thơ and to plan a network of inland waterway ports. Additionally, Cau Mau was instructed to accelerate the expansion and upgrade of the Cà Mau airport to accommodate larger aircraft, with the work set to be completed within this year. — VNS