New Vietnam North-South highway link planned

Work on the new North-South Highway in Vietnam is now underway, with preparatory work having commenced in 2016 and construction scheduled for completion in 2020. The project is being carried out under the PPP model, with initial funding being provided by a system of Government Bonds. The project is expected to cost US$2.43 billion to complete. The tender process for the design phase of the project is now opening, while a pre-feasibility study has yet to be carried out. The project is being overseen by Vietnam’s transport ministry as well as the ministries of Construction, Planning and Investment, and Justice and the State Bank of Vietnam. However a major portion of the funding required will be provided through a combination of loans from domestic banks, construction bond sales proceeds and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank. The highway will feature from six to 10 lanes at different parts of the route, to cope with expected traffic demand.