Pleiku - Buon Ma Thuot - Gia Nghia expressway proposed for early implementation
The proposed Pleiku - Buon Ma Thuot - Gia Nghia Expressway is expected to strengthen regional connectivity, boost socio-economic development, and complete a strategic transportation corridor in Vietnam’s Central Highlands.
On the morning of May 25, Tran Hong Minh, member of the Party Central Committee and Minister of Construction, chaired an online meeting with the authorities of Lam Dong, Gia Lai, and Dak Lak provinces to discuss investment plans for the western North - South expressway section connecting Pleiku, Buon Ma Thuot, and Gia Nghia.
Attending at Lam Dong’s conference venue were Y Thanh Ha Nie Kdam, member of the Party Central Committee and Secretary of the Lam Dong Provincial Party Committee; Ho Van Muoi, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the Lam Dong provincial People’s Committee; and Nguyen Hong Hai, Vice Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee.
According to a proposal by Duc Long Gia Lai Group, the Pleiku - Buon Ma Thuot - Gia Nghia expressway would have a total length of about 265 km, including around 75 km passing through Lam Dong Province.
The expressway is proposed to begin at highway 19 in Bau Can Commune, Gia Lai Province, and connect to the Gia Nghia - Chon Thanh expressway and highway 14 in Nhan Co Commune (Lam Dong)
The project is proposed with six lanes and a designed speed of 80-120 km/h, with total investment estimated at around VND 77 trillion.
According to the Ministry of Construction, the Pleiku - Buon Ma Thuot - Gia Nghia section of the western North - South Expressway will gradually complete the planned western North - South expressway corridor (CT.02) approved by the Prime Minister and the ministry.
Once completed, the project is expected to form a continuous north - south transport corridor connected with east - west expressways, national highways, airports, and seaports. The route is also expected to support socio-economic development in the Central Highlands and accelerate industrialization, modernization, and urbanization in the region.
The expressway is also expected to improve transport capacity, reduce logistics costs, and promote trade, services, tourism, and investment attraction across the region.
Beyond its economic significance, the project is considered important for national defense and security, enhancing strategic mobility, disaster response, forest fire prevention, and regional security in the Central Highlands.
Speaking at the meeting, Ho Van Muoi said the expressway is a long-awaited project for people across the Central Highlands. He added that Lam Dong Province supports the investment plan and scale proposed by the Ministry of Construction for the Pleiku - Buon Ma Thuot - Gia Nghia expressway.
According to the provincial chairman, following the administrative merger, Lam Dong is implementing multiple strategies to reform its development space, particularly transport infrastructure. The province is currently developing three expressway projects: Tan Phu - Bao Loc, Bao Loc - Lien Khuong, and Gia Nghia - Chon Thanh.
During the 2025 - 2030 term, Lam Dong is expected to allocate around VND 6 trillion from its budget for the construction of these expressways.
At the same time, the province is also repairing and upgrading national highways transferred from the central government to provincial management.
Despite difficulties in the local budget, Lam Dong will allocate around VND 3 trillion and coordinate with the two other localities to implement the project, which is considered significant for the Central Highlands' development.
Ho Van Muoi, member of the Party Central Committee, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, and Chairman of the Lam Dong People’s Committee.
To ensure the project is implemented on time, meets quality requirements, and delivers effective investment outcomes, Ho Van Muoi emphasized the need for an experienced agency in project management and operation, particularly for projects developed under the public-private partnership (PPP) model.
Based on this, the People’s Committees of the three provinces agreed to propose the Ministry of Construction as the project’s lead investor.
At the meeting, Ho Van Muoi also proposed that the Ministry of Construction consider investment in the Gia Nghia - Bao Loc - Phan Thiet expressway. According to the province, the route is expected to become a key driver for strengthening intra-provincial connectivity, expanding socio-economic development space, and enhancing regional links.
He added that if the proposal receives support from the Ministry of Construction, Lam Dong will actively allocate resources and accelerate preparations for early implementation of the project.
At the meeting, Tran Hong Minh emphasized that the Pleiku - Buon Ma Thuot - Gia Nghia section of the western North - South expressway holds special importance not only for the participating provinces but also for the strategic development of the Central Highlands.
Local authorities have repeatedly proposed early implementation of the project to create momentum for regional connectivity and growth.
Tran Hong Minh praised the responsibility, determination, and consensus shown by leaders of the three provinces regarding the expressway project.
The Ministry of Construction requested localities to coordinate in the “fastest, strongest, and most decisive” manner to submit the investment proposal to the National Assembly by October 2026, with the goal of completing the project before 2030.
Tran Hong Minh requested relevant agencies to continue guiding and supporting Duc Long Gia Lai Group in completing a detailed feasibility study report for appraisal and project assessment, ensuring both quality and progress.
Based on the agreements at the meeting, the three provinces are requested to urgently finalize documents and submit reports to the Government, the Ministry of Construction, and the Ministry of Finance on the afternoon of May 25 to carry out the next steps in accordance with regulations
Tran Hong Minh, Minister of Construction
Regarding the proposed Gia Nghia - Bao Loc - Phan Thiet expressway, Tran Hong Minh described the route as important for Lam Dong’s economic development and said it should be implemented during the current term.
The minister requested Lam Dong Province to continue reviewing and supplementing the project in its public investment plan for the current term as a basis for consideration and implementation. The province was also urged to promptly submit official documents to the Ministry of Construction and the Ministry of Finance for review and submission to the Government in the coming period.