A rest stop under rapid construction in August on the North–South Expressway. — VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI — Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính has asked ministries, agencies and localities to promptly address obstacles facing major transport projects to complete all set goals as there is a significant workload ahead, and only less than four months remain until the end of 2025.

The PM, who is also head of the State Steering Committee for National Key Transport Projects, chaired the committee’s 20th meeting on September 10 to assess progress, address challenges and intensify implementation efforts across major infrastructure.

Since the committee’s 19th session, 33 tasks were assigned, with 12 completed on schedule and 21 underway. However, one task related to site clearance has fallen behind schedule.

Notable achievements include groundbreakings or inaugurations for 250 projects worth nearly VNĐ1.3 quadrillion (US$49.2 billion), investment proposals finalised for key segments of the Eastern North–South Expressway under the PPP model, and the push to complete a 3,000km expressway network by 2025.

Fifteen additional projects have been brought under the Steering Committee’s oversight, raising the total to 120, spanning expressways, urban ring roads, airports, seaports and urban rail systems in Hà Nội and HCM City.

While praising the determination of ministries, local authorities and contractors, the PM highlighted lingering issues such as land clearance delays, overlapping zoning plans and shortages of construction materials.

He flagged Long Thành International Airport as especially critical, noting the complexity of parallel construction during the rainy season, which requires agile coordination.

Construction site of Long Thành International Airport in late August. — VNA/VNS Photo

Leaders reaffirmed their commitment to meeting deadlines and proposed initiatives, including the expansion of Phú Quốc International Airport, Gia Bình International Airport and the Cần Thơ 2 Bridge. A resolution to address legal constraints under the Law on Geology and Minerals was also urged.

The PM acknowledged recent progress, including the completion of an additional 208 km of expressways to raise the total national expressway length to 2,476 km, and the launch of major projects like Ring Road 4 in HCM City, Dầu Giây–Tân Phú and HCM City–Long Thành Expressways.

With fewer than four months remaining in 2025, the PM stressed urgency in meeting the core infrastructure targets of 3,000km of expressways, 1,700km of coastal roads and substantial completion of Long Thành International Airport.

He called for bold, efficient action that delivers tangible socio-economic benefits and supports Việt Nam’s 2025 GDP growth target of 8.3–8.5 per cent, paving the way for future double-digit growth.

The Government leader clarified principles and guidelines for the construction of the projects, underlining the need to ensure harmonised benefits of the State, people and businesses, and avoid corruption and wastefulness.

Timely rewards and disciplinary measures will ensure quality, safety and schedule adherence across all projects, he stressed.

The PM assigned ministries, sectors and agency to finalise preparations for the launch of specific projects, including Vinh–Thanh Thủy, Cam Lộ–Lao Bảo, Quảng Ngãi–Kon Tum and Bắc Kạn–Cao Bằng Expressways, the Gia Bình Airport access road, Quy Nhơn–Pleiku, HCM City–Trung Lương–Mỹ Thuận expansion and HCM City–Mộc Bài and Tân Phú–Bảo Lộc Expressways.

All land required for 2025-due projects, including rest stops on the Eastern North–South Expressway, must be handed over by September 2025, he requested. Southern provinces are tasked with reassessing material needs and reallocating supply accordingly. — VNA/VNS