Vietnam eyes VND200 trillion to widen North‑South highway

Vietnam's Ministry of Construction reports that upgrading the country's highway network to a full 4‑8‑lane design will require more than VND444 trillion in total funding. About VND200 trillion of that sum is needed to expand the North‑South corridor.

The nation currently has roughly 2,340 km of highways under phased investment, with 1,675 km already in operation (170 km of 2‑lane and 1,505 km of 4‑lane limited sections) and 665 km under construction. Expanding the 258 km of 2‑lane sections will cost an estimated VND42.7 trillion, of which the central budget must supply roughly VND33.9 trillion between 2026 and 2030. Upgrading 2,082 km of existing 4‑lane limited roads to the planned 4‑8‑lane capacity is projected to cost VND401.8 trillion, with the eastern segment of the North‑South route (1,222 km) alone requiring about VND199.4 trillion.

Beyond the main corridor, an additional 860 km of other 4‑lane limited highways would need over VND202 trillion for upgrades. Funding is expected to combine state budget allocations, private investment, and public‑private partnership models, with a focus on prioritising sections currently under construction and the Hanoi‑Ho Chi Minh City link.