The last five years have marked a turning point for Vietnam’s expressway network, as the country is set to achieve its target of 3,000km by the end of the year and moves steadily towards a 5,000km target by 2030.

Contractors paving asphalt along the 61.7km Quy Nhơn–Chi Thanh Expressway, crossing Gia Lai and Dak Lak provinces.

According to the Ministry of Construction, Vietnam brought just 89km of expressways into operation between 2001 and 2010, followed by 1,163km in the 2011–20 period. By contrast, the length of expressways invested in since 2021 alone is equivalent to the combined total of the previous decade.

By the end of 2025, around 3,513 km of expressways are expected to be completed and opened to traffic. A landmark achievement is the eastern North–South Expressway, now largely finished, with all 23 component projects across both investment phases in operation, enabling seamless travel from the north to the south.

At a seminar titled 'Momentum from 3,000km of Expressways' held on December 17, managers, transport experts and enterprises agreed that the pace of construction has been unprecedented in the history of Vietnam’s transport sector.

The expanding expressway network is easing congestion, shortening travel times and strengthening regional connectivity, while opening new development space and boosting economic competitiveness. Infrastructure that once constrained growth is now helping to drive it.

Discussions at the event focused on lessons learned, remaining constraints and policy adjustments needed to sustain momentum.

Le Quyet Tien, director of the Department of Economic and Investment Management of Construction under the Ministry of Construction, said a key breakthrough was allowing parallel implementation of investment procedures for Phase 2 of the North–South Expressway project.

Combined with special mechanisms for site clearance, quarry licensing and streamlined appraisal and design, preparation time for the project was significantly shortened.

"Close oversight by the State Steering Committee for nationally important projects helped resolve emerging problems promptly, ensuring both progress and quality," he said.

Contractors said the past five years have pushed domestic enterprises to their limits.

Pham Van Khoi of Phuong Thanh Transportation Investment and Construction Joint Stock Company said expressway projects have tested organisational capacity, financial strength and resilience.

Challenging terrain, complex geology and material shortages forced contractors to revise technical solutions and absorb additional costs to maintain progress, he said, adding that many firms chose to prioritise deadlines over profits as a matter of professional responsibility.

"Contractors want greater flexibility in applying new technologies. While Vietnamese firms are increasingly capable of adopting advanced international construction methods, regulatory barriers remain, particularly in technology trials and unit pricing," Khoi said.

Thang Long Construction Corporation Deputy General Director Nguyen Hai Vinh said tighter schedules have made financing the biggest challenge.

Expanding construction fronts and mobilising additional machinery, labour and materials require substantial capital, pushing some firms to accept thinner margins. At the same time, pressure has accelerated learning and strengthened management capacity.

Based on his long-term experience onsite, Nguyen Ba Doan of Truong Son Construction Corporation's Army Corps 12 highlighted materials and workers as decisive factors.

Early resolution of material supply issues can allow projects to finish months ahead of plan, while shortages of engineers and skilled workers are becoming increasingly serious.

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