In late March, construction of Nuoc Ngot Pass (Mui Ky Van) entered its final phase after about 18 months, with the main viaduct completed and crews racing to finish remaining works and reinforce the old road.
The roughly 500-metre pass lies on the DT944 coastal route, linking the popular destinations of Long Hai and Phuoc Hai. Curving between Minh Dam Mountain and the Long Hai coastline, it offers a picturesque landscape.
Long known for its unspoilt blend of sea and mountains, the pass is a popular stop for visitors, especially at weekends, and has featured in several Vietnamese films.
A visitor, Thuy An, 19, from Dong Nai Province, said she and a friend could not resist stopping briefly to take pictures while passing through.
However, the pass includes sharp bends and a narrow carriageway. Rocky outcrops along the mountainside also pose potential landslide risks.
The project is part of an upgrade of the nearly 77-kilometre DT944 coastal road, with investment of over VND 7 trillion, linking Road 991B to National Highway 55 via Long Son, Phuoc Thang, Long Hai, Phuoc Hai, Ho Tram and Binh Chau.
Designed with six to eight lanes, the road is expected to become a strategic transport corridor, boosting socio-economic development, tourism and regional connectivity in the eastern area of Ho Chi Minh City.
Several key sections, including Cua Lap 2 Bridge and stretches through residential areas, have already been completed and opened to traffic. The full coastal route is scheduled to be operational by the end of this year.