Ho Chi Minh City plans to expand National Highway 13 to 60 meters, accommodating 10 lanes, with an estimated investment of 21.7 trillion VND (approximately $870 million).

The project, which will be executed under a public-private partnership (PPP) using a BOT (build-operate-transfer) contract, is a key infrastructure initiative under Resolution 98, allowing toll collection on upgraded roadways.

Project details: Expansion, elevated section, and new tunnels

The 6.3 km stretch of National Highway 13, running through Thu Duc City from Binh Trieu Bridge to Vinh Binh Bridge, will undergo significant improvements:

Road expansion: Widened to 60 meters, supporting 10 lanes.

Elevated section: A 3.2 km flyover (Binh Trieu to Binh Phuoc) with a design speed of 80 km/h.

Surface roads: Three lanes per side, allowing speeds of up to 60 km/h.

Upgraded intersections:

Binh Loi Bridge and Binh Phuoc Interchange to receive new underpasses for smoother traffic flow.

Vinh Binh Bridge at the northern end of the project to be widened to 10 lanes.

Investment breakdown and funding model

The project’s estimated cost is 21.7 trillion VND ($870 million), with land clearance and infrastructure relocation accounting for over 15.2 trillion VND ($610 million).

The funding will be split as follows:

City budget: 14.7 trillion VND ($590 million) – 70% of total cost (primarily for land clearance and resettlement).

Private investment: 6.3 trillion VND ($250 million) – 30% of total cost (for construction and operations).

The BOT model will allow investors to collect tolls for 21 years and 4 months to recover costs.

Project timeline and expected completion
The plan is set for approval in Q1 2025, followed by feasibility assessments:

Q1-Q3 2025: Feasibility study and final approval.

Q3 2025 – Q3 2026: Land clearance and relocation.

Q3 2026 – 2028: Construction phase.

Strategic importance: Strengthening regional connectivity

National Highway 13 is a vital transport corridor linking Ho Chi Minh City to Binh Duong, Binh Phuoc, and the Central Highlands.

After the upgrade, the highway will serve as a fast, uninterrupted transport route, connecting:

Central Ho Chi Minh City to Binh Duong’s industrial hubs.

Pham Van Dong Boulevard to Ring Road 2, improving traffic flow across the city’s eastern gateway.

The Eastern Economic Corridor, facilitating trade and logistics with southeastern Vietnam and the Central Highlands.

Authorities believe the expansion will alleviate congestion, enhance economic connectivity, and support long-term regional development.

Tuan Kiet