Vietnam speeds up highway construction and rest‑stop projects for 2026

The Vietnam Road Administration has ordered the investor of the Ninh Bình–Hải Phòng highway segment to accelerate work and secure alternative building materials to avoid further delays. After 14 months of construction, only about 45 % of the contract value (≈1.879 trillion VND of 4.150 trillion VND) has been spent and disbursement is lagging, with a shortfall in sand (≈66,000 m³) and plastic concrete aggregates (≈125,000 m³) needed for foundations and pavement.

Deputy Prime Minister Pham Gia Tuc has also instructed the Ministry of Construction to fast‑track the building of 29 new rest‑stop facilities on the eastern North‑South highway, aiming for completion within 2026. The directive warns of contract termination for investors who do not meet the schedule and calls for swift land‑release actions in Lâm Đồng and An Giang provinces. Of the 36 planned rest stops, seven are already operating, while the remaining 29 are slated for construction.

Both measures reflect the government’s push to meet the 2026 deadline for major transport projects, addressing funding, material supply, and contractual compliance to ensure timely delivery.