Japan Assists Vietnam to Construct Expressway Network

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) signed, on 15 June, Japanese ODA Loan Agreements with the Government of Vietnam to provide loans of up to 40,946 million Yen (US$510 million) for assistance for two projects to construct two important sections in Vietnam’s North-South expressway network, namely the sections from Ho Chi Minh City to Dau Giay (Dong Nai) (the 2^nd loan), and from Da Nang to Quang Ngai.

Economic development in recent years in Vietnam’s southern region, including Ho Chi Minh City and in its central region, including Da Nang, has caused an increase in traffic volume and consequential traffic congestion, which is becoming increasingly serious. Because overloading of vehicles on ordinary roads is causing them to deteriorate and become damaged, there is a need to compartmentalize common roads and expressways, and to maintain them differently based on changes in transportation characteristics.

 

Currently, Vietnam is rapidly developing a network of modern expressways. According to the national Master Plan for development of expressway network already approved by the Prime Minister, Vietnam will build more than 2,000 km of expressways from now to 2020, and about further 3,500 other km will be built after 2020. These two new projects are among series of support provided by the Government of Japan in helping Vietnam develop such a modern and effective expressway network.