A map shows the location of Ring Road 3, connecting HCM City with surrounding areas. — VNA/VNS Photo

HCM CITY — Việt Nam is speeding up the construction of a 76-kilometre ring road linking HCM City with surrounding provinces, aiming for technical opening by the end of the year.

Costing over VNĐ75.3 trillion (approximately US$3 billion) to build, Ring Road 3 will connect Việt Nam’s largest city with Đồng Nai Province and the former provinces of Bình Dương and Long An.

At a recent meeting with local leaders from the areas involved, Deputy Prime Minister Mai Văn Chính urged relevant ministries and local authorities to work closely together to address any issues during the construction process.

Deputy Minister of Construction Bùi Xuân Dũng said the local governments have successfully handed over the required land to contractors.

Currently, the construction progress varies by region, with overall completion levels between 10 per cent and 15 per cent of the total contract value.

Long An is leading the way with 67.5 per cent completion, while HCM City follows at 41 per cent, Bình Dương at 37.5 per cent and Đồng Nai at 36 per cent.

"The project developers have already committed to completing or at least technically opening the expressway by the end of 2025," Dũng noted.

Deputy Prime Minister Chính said it was necessary to set up construction teams to intensify efforts to ensure the entire route can be technically opened by December.

Local authorities are working on 10 sand mines, with plans to have 14 operational by the end of June, aiming to provide 4.4 million cubic metres of sand. This would exceed the project’s requirement of 3.6 million cubic metres.

To facilitate timely deliveries of construction materials, HCM City has implemented a green lane system for barges and adopted QR codes for better vehicle tracking.

These measures are part of a campaign called '365 days and nights', which aims to keep the construction of Ring Road 3 on track through the end of the year.

Teams are working tirelessly, even during holidays, to ensure that key sections are completed on schedule.

Deputy Prime Minister Chính has called for local governments to actively monitor progress, swiftly resolve any issues and recognise teams that demonstrate exceptional efficiency.

Once completed, the Ring Road 3 project will span a total of 90km, featuring six lanes designed for speeds of 80-100 km/h, along with two emergency stop lanes.

The first phase will cover 76km with four lanes, with each locality responsible for clearing land and constructing their designated sections.

An overpass will connect the ring road to the HCM City – Long Thành – Dầu Giây Expressway, linking Đồng Nai Province to HCM City and connecting to the Dầu Giây – Phan Thiết Expressway, which leads to the coastal city of Phan Thiết.

The project will also integrate with four other major expressways, including the HCM City – Trung Lương (linking to the Mekong Delta), Bến Lức – Long Thành, HCM City – Mộc Bài (connecting to the Cambodian border) and HCM City – Chơn Thành (linking Ho Chi Minh City to the former province of Bình Dương).

Ring Road 3 is set to become a crucial transportation route, helping to ease traffic congestion and unlock new opportunities for urban, industrial, commercial and service development.

The Government approved funding in 2022 to restart construction on this vital project after facing prolonged delays. — VNS