Under a proposal submitted to the Ministry of Construction, the agency recommended adding three four-lane expressways to the national transport master plan for the 2021-2030 period, with a vision to 2050. All three routes are slated for investment after 2030.
The proposed routes are Lang Son-Thai Nguyen-Tuyen Quang-Yen Bai-Son La, Cao Bang-Tuyen Quang-Lao Cai-Son La, and Phan Thiet-Bao Loc-Gia Nghia.
The 378-km Lang Son-Thai Nguyen-Tuyen Quang-Yen Bai-Son La route is designed to serve as a northern regional ring road linking administrative centres, border provinces and international border gates, including Tan Thanh in Lang Son Province and Chieng Khuong in Son La Province.
According to the department, the proposal reflects rising transport demand along northern Vietnam’s east-west corridor following updated GDP growth targets under the national master plan.
The route is expected to support cross-border transport, industrial and logistics development, and improve freight capacity as existing east-west links remain limited.
Meanwhile, the 141-km Phan Thiet-Bao Loc-Gia Nghia Expressway would connect the southern Central Highlands with the south-central coast and southern key economic zone.
Planning authorities said the route would strengthen links to seaports in Binh Thuan and Ba Ria-Vung Tau provinces, as well as Phan Thiet and Long Thanh airports, while improving transport of bauxite, alumina and agricultural products from the Central Highlands to export ports.
The 335-km Cao Bang-Tuyen Quang-Lao Cai-Son La Expressway would also be built with four lanes and include a revised alignment linking to the Hanoi-Lao Cai Expressway via National Highway 279.
The Roads Administration said the route would help form an economic corridor across northern mountainous provinces, improve regional connectivity and strengthen links between border gates, production centres and logistics hubs.
The agency added that the proposed expressways would also support national defence, disaster response and development in remote areas.