Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh extended New Year greetings to cadres and workers at the construction site. (Photo: VOV)

He was accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha, Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung, Minister of Transport Tran Hong Minh, and local leaders from Cao Bang and Lang Son provinces.

During his visit, Prime Minister Chinh emphasized that 2024 marks a pivotal year for Vietnam’s highway expansion, with the goal of completing a North-South expressway. He urged all provinces, cities, and construction units to remain highly focused, united, and competitive to ensure timely project completion. He also encouraged workers to contribute to this national effort and called on Deo Ca Contractor to involve more local firms, fostering growth and development for regional contractors.

The Dong Dang - Tra Linh Expressway spans 121 km and is divided into two investment phases, with a total budget exceeding 47 trillion VND (nearly 1.9 billion USD). The route begins at the Tan Thanh border gate intersection in Van Lang district, Lang Son province, and ends at the National Highway 3 intersection in Quang Hoa district, Cao Bang province.

Upon completion, travel time between Cao Bang and Hanoi will be reduced from 6–7 hours to approximately 3.5 hours. This key infrastructure project is expected to drive economic, social, and cultural development in Cao Bang and Lang Son while enhancing connectivity between the northeastern border region, Hanoi, and the country’s economic hubs.