Vietnam sets highway plan in action

Road upgrades and improvements are crucial to improve infrastructure in Vietnam, according to the country's Directorate for Roads.

Estimates from the Directorate for Roads suggest that US$34.65 billion will be required to build new and improve existing highway connections in the 2011-2020 period. The plan is to upgrade existing routes, which includes straightening sections of road and removing obstruction along the various routes. The authorities say that compensation will be paid however for land or property in the way of development. Meanwhile 2560 Vietnam's Ministry of Transport has given the go-ahead for a feasibility study into a highway project expected to cost $1.13 billion. The highway will run 101km from the Dau Giay T-Junction to Phan Thiet and is due to open in 2020. Binh Minh Import Export Production and Trading (2718 Bitexco) is investing in the project, which is supported by the 2332 World Bank.