The Ministry of Transport reported that the Mekong Delta is currently implementing five key transport projects under the guidance of the State Steering Committee for important national works and projects, focusing on key transport sectors. These projects include the eastern section of the North-South Expressway project from Can Tho to Ca Mau; Chau Doc-Can Tho-Soc Trang Expressway; Cao Lanh-An Huu Expressway; My An-Cao Lanh Expressway; and Ho Chi Minh Road project (11km Rach Soi-Ben Nhat section, and 41km Go Quạo-Vinh Thuan section).

To date, four out of five projects have completed investment procedures and are under construction. The Cao Lanh - An Huu Expressway has commenced construction for component 1 in Dong Thap, while component 2, managed by Tien Giang Province, is expected to start construction in July 2024. The My An - Cao Lanh Expressway, funded by South Korean ODA, is slated to start construction at the beginning of 2025.

Site clearance, one of the most important steps that could define progress and set the construction schedule, is nearly complete. Specifically, the Chau Doc - Can Tho - Soc Trang project has reached 98.9% completion; the Can Tho - Ca Mau project has reached 99.9% completion; the Cao Lanh - An Huu project (first component) has reached 99.7% completion, while the second component in Tien Giang province has reached 82% completion; and the Ho Chi Minh Road project (Rach Soi - Ben Nhat, Go Quao - Vinh Thuan section through Kien Giang province) has reached about 18% completion since construction began in March 2024. However, if any issues are unresolved by the end of July 2024, it could affect the overall completion of the projects.

In accordance with the requirements of the National Assembly and the Government, two projects must be completed by 2025. These include the North-South expressway project (east of the Can Tho-Ca Mau section) and the Ho Chi Minh road project (Rach Soi-Ben Nhat, Go Quao-Vinh Thuan). The Chau Doc-Can Tho-Soc Trang expressway project is set to be completed in 2026 and officially open in 2027, while the Cao Lanh-An Huu expressway project and the My An-Cao Lanh project are scheduled for completion in 2027. To ensure the successful completion of these projects, investors have developed detailed plans and have provided rigorous oversight to the contractors tasked with their implementation.

Intensive efforts are being made in construction, but the progress has not met the planned schedule, mainly due to a previous shortage of sand. Fortunately, the material supply has now been stable, with about 65 million m3 guaranteed.

During the conference, ministries, sectors, and localities in the Mekong Delta and surrounding areas provided updates on the progress, difficulties, and proposals related to various projects. One particular challenge mentioned was the potential impact on construction and project completion if site clearance work is not fully resolved by July 2024. This could affect progress, the mobilization and supply of raw materials, and the opening of intersections and highways. The ministries, sectors, and localities pledged to continue collaboration and support to ensure smooth project progress and achieve the set goals.

Concluding the conference, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh congratulated the 13 localities in the Mekong Delta for initially forming an expressway network after three years of active implementation, significantly developing the transport infrastructure in line with the strategic breakthrough spirit of the 13th National Party Congress's Resolution. Various modes of transportation have developed rapidly and comprehensively in the Mekong Delta. The official emphasized the goal of having 600km of expressways in the Mekong Delta by 2025 and 1,200km by 2030, assigning progress targets for each project, focusing on the North-South and East-West expressways.

On behalf of the Government, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh praised the efforts and dedication of ministries, sectors, localities, project management boards, companies, contractors, supervisory consultants, and the team of officials, engineers, and workers who have been working diligently at the project sites.

He also thanked and praised the families, communities, and individuals who supported and quickly handed over land for project construction.

Regarding capital, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh requested ministries and sectors to coordinate with localities to carefully calculate and report to competent authorities. The Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Planning and Investment must advise and reasonably allocate funds and the Government will resolve issues within its authority.

Concerning materials, the official requested ministries, sectors, and localities to ensure supply and completion on schedule. For sand fill materials, localities must actively enhance the mining capacity of material mines, transfer materials between projects to meet progress requirements, and complete procedures for mining licenses in July.

In terms of site clearance, PM Chinh requested local secretaries and chairpersons to mobilize the combined strength of the entire political system to support project implementation, particularly relocating technical infrastructure, with a focus on resolving site clearance comprehensively to provide land for project construction.

PM Chinh asked investors, project management boards, contractors, and supervision consultants to enhance their human resources and construction equipment to accelerate project progress. They should also regularly collaborate with localities that have material sources to manage the supply situation and proactively address any on-site issues that may arise.

The government leader requested ministries, sectors, and localities to thoroughly implement the principle of “only discussing actions, not setbacks”, making all efforts to complete expressway projects on time, or ahead of schedule, which will open up new opportunities and development space for the entire Mekong Delta region, as well the country.

Construction must be conducted in the spirit of “persistence through rain or shine”, “working day and night”, “through holidays, through Tet, through weekends”.

He also ordered localities to take care of the lives of relocated households, ensuring that their conditions at new locations are equal to or better than before, focusing on employment and livelihoods, and ensuring the safety of people's lives and property during construction.

He also urged the mobilization of the entire political system to participate in the 500-day campaign to complete 3,000km of expressways to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and reunification of the country, the 80th National Day, and the 14th National Party Congress.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh urged ministries, sectors, and localities, especially leaders, to prioritize national and ethnic interests, fulfill their responsibilities, and have integrity, talent, responsibility, and efficiency. Management must continuously be improved, practical, smart, digitalized, and reduce administrative burdens and compliance costs for people and businesses.

He expressed confidence that expressway projects would be completed on schedule, and possibly even ahead of schedule while ensuring high quality. This progress will not only give the region a new look but also open up opportunities and vast development space for the Mekong Delta region, making an important contribution to the overall development of the country.