Vietnam’s Three Expressway Proposals Spark Debate Over Local Funding
Vietnam’s National Assembly discussed proposals for three expressways. Lawmakers broadly supported the projects but raised concerns about Lai Châu’s proposed contribution of more than VND 2 trillion, equivalent to 38.7% of its 2026–2030 local budget funding plan. They called for a review of local funding capacity, central support and the routes’ connections.
On the afternoon of November 10, Vietnam’s National Assembly discussed investment proposals for three expressways: the Bảo Hà–Tân Phong section of the Bảo Hà–Lai Châu route, the Quảng Ngãi–Kon Tum route, and the section of the Mộc Châu–Sơn La–Điện Biên route within Sơn La province. Lawmakers broadly supported construction, saying the projects would improve transport in mountainous areas, but called for further scrutiny of local governments’ ability to provide matching funds and the benefits of the route connections.
National Assembly Chairman Trần Thanh Mẫn chaired the session, while Vice Chairman Nguyễn Hồng Diên presided over the discussion.（VietVance）
Funding was a focus of the discussion. Under the submitted plan, Lai Châu is expected to allocate more than VND 2 trillion. Preliminary figures for locally managed expressway projects show that this amount equals 38.7% of the province’s local budget funding plan for 2026–2030. National Assembly delegate Nguyễn Thị Việt Nga of Hải Phòng said Lai Châu’s matching contribution should be determined carefully in light of its financial capacity and other essential spending.
Nguyễn Thị Việt Nga urged the government to assess funding capacity comprehensively and consider increasing support from the central budget. If conditions permit, she said, the central government could also consider covering the project’s entire cost. She added that local authorities should have clearly defined responsibilities for land acquisition, resettlement, land management and preparation of connecting roads. National Assembly delegate Trần Thị Hồng Thanh of Ninh Bình also called for funding sources and responsibilities for securing funds to be specified in the draft National Assembly resolution, so that funding shortfalls do not delay progress.
A National Assembly delegate from Ninh Bình speaks at the session.（VietVance）
Lawmakers said the two expressways in the northwest could improve links between border provinces and economic centers such as Hà Nội, reducing transport costs. The Quảng Ngãi–Kon Tum route could improve access from the Central Highlands to ports on the central coast. Realizing those benefits will depend on route connections and investment plans. Trần Thị Hồng Thanh called for a review of the Quảng Ngãi–Kon Tum alignment to minimize its impact on natural forests, especially protection forests, and for a comparison of the benefits of completing the project in one phase or building it in stages.
Construction preparations also drew attention. Nguyễn Thị Việt Nga called for early provision of spoil disposal sites, resettlement areas and connecting roads. She urged authorities to define each disposal site’s location, capacity, drainage and management responsibilities after closure to guard against landslides and impacts on residential areas, rivers and farmland. Resettlement planning should also address relocated residents’ livelihoods and access to essential services.
Source: VietVance
