Southeast Asia Information Port News (www.dnyxxg.com) – Construction of the Vientiane-Hanoi Expressway has entered a new phase, with the second phase, extending from Bashan District in Bolikhamxay Province, Laos to the Vietnamese border, officially commencing. Since the contract was signed last month, the project has progressed rapidly, with the contractor, Namtha Construction Bridge & Road Co., Ltd., having deployed personnel and heavy machinery along the 203.8-kilometer stretch.
According to Bounta Sengkamfong, a field technician from the company, construction teams have started work from kilometer 0 of Tongcun Village in Bashan District, with simultaneous work underway on sections 22 km, 33-34 km, and 96-106 km in Vien Thong District. Currently, land clearing is the top priority, laying a solid foundation for full-scale construction.
Thong Leng Vonghachak, Deputy Project Manager for the Vientiane-Hanoi Expressway Phase I and II projects, stated that the contractor has fully demonstrated its commitment to fulfilling the contract, and all designated construction sites have been equipped with machinery to ensure progress. According to the plan, the second phase of the project will be completed by the end of 2029. During construction, earthwork, structural engineering, and road paving will proceed simultaneously. Specialized equipment will be deployed every 10-20 kilometers, and bridge construction will also be carried out in parallel. Concrete pavement will be laid on flat areas after earthwork is completed. In addition, temporary detour roads will be built before the main road construction, and foreign workers will be brought in to improve construction efficiency.
As a strategic core project of Laos' connectivity plan, the second phase of the expressway is located between Thailand and Vietnam. Upon completion, it will become a key node in a vital land transport corridor connecting India, Europe, ASEAN, and China, South Korea, and Japan. Currently, freight transport between these regions relies heavily on Singapore's maritime transport, with approximately 100,000 ships carrying $1 trillion worth of goods annually. The expressway will significantly divert maritime freight.
Data shows that the land route from Ranong Port in Thailand to Hong Kong is approximately 3,000 kilometers long, shortening the 4,000-kilometer sea route via Singapore by 1,000 kilometers. This will significantly reduce transportation time, lower logistics costs, and improve cargo security. With Thailand and Vietnam already advancing railway and highway construction along their borders, Laos will gain significant strategic advantages upon completion of the second phase of the project.
It is estimated that, driven by domestic and international investment, trade, tourism, and logistics services, this transportation artery is expected to generate over US$1 billion in additional national economic revenue for Laos annually, while simultaneously enhancing national security and helping Laos consolidate its position as a regional transportation hub.
