Can Tho (VNA) - Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on December 15 inspected the construction of the Can Tho–Ca Mau Expressway, during which he encouraged workers at the site and directed measures to speed up the project's progress.

The Can Tho–Ca Mau Expressway forms part of the eastern section of the North–South Expressway for the 2021–2025 period.

Spanning nearly 111km, the expressway traverses the localities of Can Tho, Hau Giang, Bac Lieu, and Ca Mau. The project is overseen by the My Thuan Project Management Board under the Ministry of Transport, with a total investment of approximately 27.5 trillion VND (1.08 billion USD). Its construction began on January 1, 2023 and is set for completion by December 2025.

To date, 53% of the project’s workload has been completed. Local authorities have handed over 100% of the main route's land and 99% of the connector roads.

Visiting the construction site in the Mekong Delta province of Hau Giang's Phung Hiep and Vi Thuy districts, PM Chinh praised the efforts of local authorities, contractors, and workers for their efforts despite challenges.

Highlighting infrastructure and workforce shortages as critical barriers to development in the Mekong Delta, he stressed the Government’s commitment to resolving these issues, with expressway projects like Can Tho–Ca Mau being a top priority.

Recognising all challenges facing the project, the PM instructed all sides to accelerate progress without compromising quality, safety, or environmental standards. He called for stricter oversight to avoid cost overrun or corruption, urging all stakeholders - from local authorities to the wider public - to actively support the project.

The Government leader underlined the need to care for those affected by the project, ensuring that the resettlement place is better than the old place.

He requested Can Tho city to deal with the relocation of the local landfill to hand over all the ground to the project in this month.

The Ministry of Transport and relevant agencies must speed up progress of procedures allowing the mining of materials like sand and stone, ensuring adequate supply in December, he asked. Tien Giang, An Giang, Dong Nai, Binh Duong, Dong Thap and Vinh Long province were tasked with increasing output to meet demands.

He requested relevant ministries, sectors to work with Ca Mau province on the lengthening of the Can Tho-Ca Mau Expressway to meet travel demand, promoting socio-economic development and ensuring security-defence of the province and the whole country. This project is expected to start in 2026.

The PM noted that the completion of the North–South Expressway by 2025 - spanning ꦿfrom Lang Son in the north to Ca Mau in the south, is an important political imperative. The project will contribute to Vietnam’s goal of 3,000km of expressways by 2025, commemorating significant national anniversaries and paving the way for further economic growth, he added, asking for close coordination among all parties, especially localities hosting the project, to speed up the project's progress./.