(VOVworld) - Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has praised the importance of Noi Bai-Lao Cai highway in socio-economic development and national defense. Speaking at the inauguration ceremony of the longest and most modern national highway, the Prime Minister said it will promote connection between north-western localities and the Greater Mekong Sub-region:“Regional provinces will rely on the highway in their socio economic development and fully tap their potential in agriculture, manufacturing and services. They should revive their zoning to ensure sustainable growth and improve local people’s living standard.”

Noi Bai – Lao Cai Highway is an important project of the Kunming-Haiphong Transport Corridor in the framework of the 6 greater Mekong Sub-region countries, including Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, Myanmar and China. The highway halves travel time between Hanoi and Lao Cai to 3.5 hours, covering a distance of 245 kilometers.

On Sunday, the Prime Minister cut the ribbon to open Lao Cai Steel Mill after 3 years of construction.