National Highway 28B Accelerates Toward Completion, Underscoring Decisive Provincial Leadership

When Lam Dong’s leadership acts with urgency

The project to upgrade and rehabilitate National Highway 28B plays a vital role not only in improving transport connectivity but also in unlocking development opportunities for localities along the route. Recognizing its significance, the leadership of the Lam Dong Provincial People’s Committee has paid close attention and provided consistent direction.

However, in the early months following the provincial merger, construction progress remained sluggish, while site clearance faced persistent bottlenecks, causing considerable concern among provincial leaders.

Delays in implementation would not only hinder connectivity between the eastern region and Da Lat—affecting the province’s broader development—but also undermine the efficiency of public investment.

In his capacity as head of the Provincial People's Committee, Chairman Ho Van Muoi conducted multiple on-site inspections to assess difficulties and obstacles faced by project investors and local authorities, particularly in compensation and site clearance. He issued direct instructions to remove bottlenecks and accelerate construction progress.

During a field inspection on October 22, 2025, Ho Van Muoi—Member of the Party Central Committee, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, and Chairman of the Provincial People’s Committee—affirmed that the province would provide maximum support and favorable conditions for project implementation. At the same time, he stressed that accountability would be strictly enforced, including the possibility of replacing the project investor in the event of continued delays.

At a subsequent inspection on March 11, 2026, the Chairman underscored that National Highway 28B serves as a key driving route, particularly as Lien Khuong Airport is temporarily closed. He directed Luong Son Commune to urgently complete site handover to contractors and instructed Project Management Unit No. 5 to take decisive action—mobilizing maximum manpower and equipment, increasing work shifts, and ensuring full completion within April 2026.

Following these firm directives and clearly assigned responsibilities, progress on the National Highway 28B upgrade project has shown visible daily improvements and is now on track for completion.

Accelerated construction in the final stretch

Under the blazing midday sun on March 28, construction activity at Dai Ninh Pass (Km41, National Highway 28B) was in full swing, with multiple machines spreading hot-mix asphalt.

This section of Dai Ninh Pass was realigned to replace the old route, straighten curves, and improve traffic safety. Following sustained efforts, the final segment has now been fully paved with asphalt.

To date, the entire stretch of National Highway 28B from Phan Son Commune to its junction with National Highway 20 in Ninh Gia Commune has been paved with asphalt, except for Bridge No. 4, which is in its final stage of construction.

With asphalt paving completed, traffic flow from the Vinh Hao–Phan Thiet Expressway interchange to National Highway 20 has become smoother and safer, with congestion effectively eliminated—particularly along Dai Ninh Pass.

Nguyen Van Hung, a tourist from Ho Chi Minh City traveling to Da Lat for a weekend getaway, shared: “From Thu Duc, I took the expressway and turned onto National Highway 28B—it was very quick to reach Dai Ninh Pass. The newly paved section is smooth and enjoyable to drive, and the scenery along the pass is beautiful, so my family and I stopped to take photos.”

Acting with urgency, local authorities have stepped up communication and mobilization efforts, encouraging residents in project areas to accept compensation and hand over land for construction.

As the upgraded road will directly benefit local communities, most households have shown strong consensus, agreeing to compensation terms and handing over land on schedule.

“Once the road is completed, the value of our land will increase, creating opportunities for business investment. When local authorities encouraged us, I agreed immediately so as not to affect construction progress,” said Nguyen Van Em, a resident of Bac Son Hamlet, Luong Son Commune.

Currently, at the starting section of National Highway 28B connecting to National Highway 1A, a remaining 20-meter stretch involving four households has yet to be cleared, despite active mobilization efforts.

“To avoid affecting overall progress, we will continue outreach efforts to persuade affected households to accept compensation and hand over land. At the same time, we are preparing legal documentation and contingency plans to ensure site clearance, including enforcement measures if necessary,” said Le Dang Phap, Vice Chairman of the Luong Son Commune People’s Committee.

Despite the weekend, construction at the starting point of National Highway 28B continues at an accelerated pace, aiming for early completion.

Le Van Chung, Deputy Director of Project Management Unit No. 5, reaffirmed the commitment to meeting the deadline set by the Chairman of the Provincial People’s Committee.

“We are directing contractors to deploy multiple construction teams with the highest level of urgency, overcoming all difficulties and striving to complete asphalt paving along the entire National Highway 28B within April,” he stated.