Vietnam PM Orders Strict Adherence to Deadlines for Key National Transport Projects

Hanoi, The Gulf Observer: Vietnamese Prime Minister Lê Minh Hưng has directed ministries, local authorities and project stakeholders to strictly adhere to implementation schedules for major national transport infrastructure projects, stressing that deadlines will not be extended unless there are objective and justified reasons.

Chairing a hybrid meeting of the Steering Committee for Major and Important National Transport Projects on June 27, the Prime Minister reviewed the progress of key transport infrastructure schemes during the first half of the year. The meeting linked the Government Office in Hà Nội with authorities from 31 provinces and cities where the projects are being implemented.

The Ministry of Construction, relevant ministries, local governments, investors and project management boards presented reports on project implementation, construction progress and fund disbursement, particularly for projects scheduled for completion in 2026. The meeting also examined bottlenecks related to land clearance, construction materials, labour shortages and project management.

Officials reported that several major transport projects have been completed and put into operation, including six sections of the Eastern North–South Expressway spanning 395 kilometres, creating a continuous route from Lạng Sơn to Cà Mau. The Biên Hòa–Vũng Tàu Expressway has also been completed, strengthening connectivity between Long Thành International Airport and Vũng Tàu seaport.

Construction of Cà Mau, Phú Quốc and Gia Bình airports is progressing according to schedule, while obstacles affecting the Long Thành International Airport project are gradually being resolved. Several transport projects have also recorded high rates of public investment disbursement.

Despite the progress, the Prime Minister noted that many projects continue to face shortages of construction materials, slow implementation and low disbursement rates. Some projects that have already completed investment procedures and entered the construction phase recorded first-half disbursement below 20 percent, with several below 10 percent.

Addressing the meeting, PM Hưng emphasized that modern and synchronized transport infrastructure is a strategic priority under the Resolution of the 14th National Party Congress and Conclusion No. 18-KL/TW. He said the Government has assigned specific responsibilities to ministries and localities through Resolution No. 109/NQ-CP to accelerate infrastructure development.

The Prime Minister highlighted that the Steering Committee is overseeing 38 major transport projects with a combined investment of approximately VNĐ5 quadrillion (US$190.1 billion), including VNĐ220 trillion allocated for 2026. He said the effective implementation of these projects would significantly boost socio-economic development, support the country’s double-digit economic growth targets and improve investment efficiency.

He commended ministries, local authorities, investors, contractors, engineers and workers for overcoming numerous challenges to advance transport infrastructure development, while acknowledging that delays persist in project preparation, investment approval, investor selection and land acquisition.

PM Hưng stressed that the workload for the remainder of the year, particularly for projects targeted for completion in 2026, is substantial and requires greater responsibility from investors, project management boards, contractors and local governments.

He instructed ministries and provincial authorities to proactively resolve issues within their jurisdiction without unnecessary referrals to higher authorities, while ensuring full compliance with legal procedures, technical standards, quality requirements and construction safety.

The Prime Minister also called for greater application of science and technology, innovation, digital transformation and green development in infrastructure projects, alongside strict cost control, transparency and measures to prevent corruption, waste and misuse of public resources.

He directed authorities to accelerate land acquisition, compensation and resettlement to ensure timely site handovers, while the Ministry of Construction was tasked with guiding construction material pricing. Provincial governments were instructed to expedite licensing for construction material mines and strengthen price monitoring, while the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment will coordinate the allocation of material supplies for priority national projects.

PM Hưng further instructed the Government Inspectorate, the Ministry of Public Security and the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment to strengthen inspections of construction material exploitation and take action against violations, including revoking licences where necessary.

For aviation projects, he ordered relevant ministries and the Airports Corporation of Việt Nam (ACV) to maintain progress at Long Thành International Airport and ensure Gia Bình International Airport is completed on schedule to support APEC 2027.

Regarding railway development, the Prime Minister directed the Ministry of Construction to urgently appoint experienced international consulting firms to prepare feasibility studies and appraisal procedures for the North–South high-speed railway, the Lào Cai–Hà Nội–Hải Phòng, Hà Nội–Lạng Sơn and Hải Phòng–Móng Cái rail lines, as well as metro projects in Hà Nội and Ho Chi Minh City.

Reiterating that transport infrastructure remains a national priority, PM Hưng urged all ministries, local authorities and project stakeholders to intensify efforts in the remaining months of the year to ensure projects are completed on schedule and contribute to Vietnam’s long-term economic growth.