CaliToday (24/12/2025): As the Lunar New Year (Tet) approaches, Vietnam is transforming into a massive construction site of national significance. From the mountainous passes of the North to the southern plains, the government is pushing a high-stakes infrastructure agenda designed to modernize the nation's logistics and redefine its economic geography.
The North-South Expressway: A Race Against the Lunar Calendar
The North-South Expressway project, the backbone of Vietnam’s road network, has entered a "sprint" phase. Thousands of engineers and workers are operating under "3 shifts, 4 crews" schedules to ensure several critical component sections achieve technical opening before the Tet holidays.
This push is not merely symbolic. Opening these sections will significantly alleviate the chronic traffic congestion that plagues the country during the world’s largest annual migration. By connecting industrial hubs more seamlessly, the expressway is expected to slash logistics costs, which have historically been a hurdle for Vietnam's competitiveness.
Long Thanh International Airport: The "Lotus" Takes Shape
Southern Vietnam’s mega-project, Long Thanh International Airport, has officially become the focal point of public and investor attention. Recent drone footage and site reports show the iconic lotus-shaped passenger terminal moving into the final phases of structural completion and equipment installation.
More importantly, the primary runways are now clearly visible from the air, with asphalt paving and signal lighting systems reaching critical milestones. Authorities are now pivoting toward the "operational readiness" phase, planning for calibration flights and system stress tests. Once operational, Long Thanh is poised to challenge regional hubs like Bangkok and Singapore, positioning Vietnam as a vital gateway for global aviation.
High-Speed Rail: The 350km/h Dream
While roads and airports see physical progress, the "project of the century" the North-South High-Speed Railway is dominating the policy debate. 2025 has seen unprecedentedly deep discussions regarding design philosophy and financing.
The Technical Vision: The consensus is leaning toward a 350km/h technology that prioritizes passenger transport while remaining adaptable for light freight.
The Funding Puzzle: Experts and citizens alike are weighing the pros and cons of state budget allocation versus Public-Private Partnerships (PPP).
This project represents more than just a train; it is viewed as the catalyst for a "new era" of national development, potentially shrinking the travel time between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to just over five hours.
The Bottom Line
Vietnam’s heavy investment in infrastructure is the clearest signal yet of its long-term ambitions. By resolving the "bottlenecks" in transport, the country is not just building roads and rails; it is laying the foundation for a high-income economy. As the first vehicles prepare to roll onto new expressways this Tet, the vision of a modernized, hyper-connected Vietnam is no longer a distant dream—it is a tangible reality.