CaliToday (24/8/2025): Vietnam is set to achieve a landmark in its national development as the final sections of the Eastern North-South Expressway's first phase are scheduled to be inaugurated and opened to traffic before the country's National Day on September 2nd. The Ministry of Transport's announcement marks the near-completion of a generational project designed to create a seamless, modern transport artery connecting the nation from its northern border to its southern tip.
This achievement is poised to significantly slash travel times, revolutionize logistics, and serve as a powerful engine for inter-regional economic growth for decades to come.
The Backbone of a Nation
The Eastern North-South Expressway (designated CT.01) is the centerpiece of Vietnam's ambitious infrastructure strategy. The monumental project will eventually span over 2,063 kilometers (approx. 1,282 miles), running from the Huu Nghi border gate in Lạng Sơn province in the north to the southernmost province of Cà Mau.
For decades, the nation has relied on the aging National Highway 1, a route often plagued by congestion and mixed traffic that limited the speed and efficiency of transport. The new multi-lane, access-controlled expressway runs parallel to the old highway and is designed to create a high-speed corridor, effectively unifying the country's diverse economic regions. The project's completion is a key component of the government's goal to have 3,000 kilometers of operational expressways by the end of 2025.
A Revolution in Connectivity and Economic Growth
The inauguration of the final segments of Phase 1 will have an immediate and profound impact. The journey between major cities, which traditionally took days, will now be significantly faster, safer, and more reliable. For instance, the grueling 30+ hour road trip between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City will be substantially reduced, making road-based logistics a far more competitive option against rail and air.
Beyond the convenience for travelers, the economic implications are immense:
- Enhanced Logistics: The expressway will drastically cut transportation costs and delivery times for goods, providing a critical boost to the manufacturing and agricultural sectors by seamlessly linking industrial zones, seaports, and consumption centers.
- Boosting Tourism: With easier and faster access to Vietnam's stunning 3,260-kilometer coastline, the expressway is expected to fuel a boom in domestic tourism, opening up new destinations along the central coast and beyond.
- Inter-regional Development: By connecting major economic hubs with previously less accessible provinces, the project will stimulate investment in central Vietnam and other developing regions, helping to bridge the economic gap and foster more balanced national growth.
As Vietnam prepares to celebrate its National Day, the impending completion of this vital transport corridor stands as a powerful symbol of the nation's modernization and a critical investment in its future prosperity.
