Quảng Ngãi, February 10, 2025 – The Europe Today: Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính has urged swift action to accelerate key housing and transport infrastructure projects in Quảng Ngãi Province, emphasizing their importance in improving living conditions and enhancing regional connectivity.
During his visit on Sunday, the Prime Minister inspected the local initiative to eliminate makeshift and dilapidated housing and reviewed the progress of major transport projects, including the Dung Quất – Sa Huỳnh coastal road and the Quảng Ngãi – Hoài Nhơn expressway, a crucial segment of the eastern North-South Expressway network.
Addressing Housing Challenges
PM Chính visited the home of Trần Trung Kiên, a resident of Đức Chánh Commune in Mộ Đức District, who benefited from Quảng Ngãi’s program to replace substandard housing. He praised the province’s efforts in addressing the housing crisis, which have resulted in the construction of over 2,100 homes for disadvantaged families and those eligible for state assistance.
Despite this progress, he noted that more than 4,500 families still live in precarious conditions. He urged provincial authorities to adopt innovative strategies to accelerate the program, emphasizing the importance of self-reliance and community participation. He encouraged socio-political organizations—including youth, women’s, farmers’, and veterans’ associations—to actively contribute, alongside support from businesses and private donors.
“The principle should be ‘give what you can’—whether effort, resources, or financial contributions, big or small,” Chính stated, reaffirming the national goal of eliminating makeshift housing by the end of 2025.
Expediting Transport Infrastructure
PM Chính also conducted on-site inspections of the Dung Quất – Sa Huỳnh coastal road and the Quảng Ngãi – Hoài Nhơn expressway, calling for intensified efforts to overcome obstacles and expedite completion.
Under Vietnam’s 2021-2030 National Road Network Plan, with a vision towards 2050, the coastal road system is set to span 3,034 km. The Politburo’s Resolution No. 26-NQ/TW, issued on November 3, 2022, sets a target for completing coastal roads in the North Central and Central Coast regions by 2030.
The Dung Quất – Sa Huỳnh coastal road, a strategic 100-km route, is being developed with an approved budget of VNĐ5.654 trillion. To date, 32.5 km have been completed and opened to traffic, while 25.2 km remain under construction. However, 31 km are yet to be developed, including an 11.3-km section overlapping National Highway 1.
Addressing concerns over a six-kilometer section that overlaps a titanium mining zone, the Prime Minister confirmed that the issue had been resolved in accordance with the Geology and Minerals Law. He directed provincial authorities to expedite administrative procedures to ensure swift implementation.
Meanwhile, the Quảng Ngãi – Hoài Nhơn expressway, an 88-km segment of the North-South Expressway network, carries a total investment of over VNĐ20.469 trillion. Led by a consortium headed by Đèo Cả Group, it is scheduled for completion in September 2026, with bridge and road construction expected to be finished by August 31, 2025.
While land clearance is largely complete, two sections remain unresolved. Currently, 50 construction teams, 1,550 machines, and 3,850 workers are deployed, achieving nearly 55% completion.
At the construction site, PM Chính commended contractors for their efforts and urged them to maintain a strict work schedule, ensuring continuous progress despite weather conditions and public holidays. He encouraged closer collaboration with subcontractors and local enterprises to accelerate the project and drive regional economic growth.
Ensuring Efficiency and Accountability
PM Chính called on provincial governments in Quảng Ngãi and Bình Định to strengthen oversight and collaborate with ministries to address environmental concerns, ensure subcontractor quality, and mobilize additional resources, including military and youth groups where possible.
He instructed local authorities to resolve outstanding land clearance issues without delay and directed the Ministry of Transport to complete all three tunnels along the expressway to ensure seamless connectivity.
To enhance efficiency, he proposed a reward and penalty system for contractors, where underperforming companies would be excluded from future projects, while high-performing firms could be awarded contracts directly under strict transparency and anti-corruption regulations.
Additionally, he tasked the Ministry of Transport and the Ministry of Construction with revising cost norms for the North-South Expressway to align with current market conditions.
PM Chính also approved an increase in the number of interchanges along the expressway, recommending an average spacing of 10 km per interchange to improve accessibility.
Emphasizing a strict deadline of December 31, 2025, he urged all stakeholders—including central and local governments, contractors, and relevant agencies—to work collectively to ensure timely completion. He stressed that any challenges must be promptly reported and addressed to avoid delays.
“The success of these projects will not only improve infrastructure but also drive economic growth and enhance the quality of life for the people of Quảng Ngãi,” the Prime Minister concluded.
