Drivers have difficulty finding their way onto the My Thuan

Vinh Long Three days after the inauguration, vehicles could not run along both directions of the My Thuan - Can Tho expressway, many vehicles could not enter the intersection in Binh Minh town.

On the afternoon of December 27, Mr. Nguyen Van Ven, 30 years old, drove an 8-ton truck carrying agricultural products from Can Tho to Ho Chi Minh City. After going all the way to Can Tho bridge and passing Cha Va bridge, the driver did not see any signs and could not turn right onto the newly inaugurated highway ramp to continue his journey.

The 23 km, 4-lane My Thuan - Can Tho Expressway, passing through Vinh Long and Dong Thap provinces, was inaugurated along with the My Thuan 2 Bridge on December 24, completing the expressway from Ho Chi Minh City to Can Tho. When put into operation, the two projects will shorten the travel time from Ho Chi Minh City to the capital of the Western region to just over 2 hours, instead of nearly 4 hours as at present.

Current status of the My Thuan - Can Tho expressway intersection with National Highway 1A in Binh Minh town, December 25. Photo: An Binh — Current status of the My Thuan - Can Tho expressway intersection with National Highway 1 in Binh Minh town, Vinh Long province, December 25. Photo: *An Binh*

According to Mr. Ven, after the inauguration ceremony of the expressway, all drivers were very happy because it would save a lot of time and shorten the distance compared to going on National Highway 1. However, until now, the road to the expressway at the Cha Va intersection is still blocked for construction. "There are no specific instructions, we have to drive around in circles, which is very time-consuming," said Mr. Ven.

Many cars from Can Tho going towards Ho Chi Minh City also encountered similar situations. Some cars turned around after going down the slope of Cha Va bridge for more than 300 meters to find a way to get onto the highway but were stopped by the construction unit because the direction from Can Tho to My Thuan was completing the final stages.

According to VnExpress , at Cha Va intersection, there is still a mess, dozens of machines and equipment and many engineers and workers are constructing asphalt, traffic safety systems... Meanwhile, the opposite direction from the Trung Luong - My Thuan expressway connection point to Cha Va bridge intersection in Binh Minh town has been open to traffic for the past 3 days. Cars are also allowed to run in both directions on Cau My Thuan 2 bridge across Tien River, connecting Tien Giang and Vinh Long.

Entrance to My Thuan - Can Tho Expressway at the intersection in Binh Minh Town on the evening of December 27. Photo: An Binh — The entrance to My Thuan - Can Tho expressway at the intersection in Binh Minh town on the evening of December 27. Photo: *An Binh*

Mr. Uong Viet Dung, Chief of Office of the Ministry of Transport, said that recently, the investor and contractor have tried very hard to inaugurate and put into operation the My Thuan - Can Tho expressway on December 25. However, due to difficulties in sand filling materials, especially the insufficient supply capacity of asphalt concrete for road surfacing, some items such as the service road and branches at the Cha Va intersection have not been completed to connect synchronously with the main expressway.

According to Mr. Dung, the construction unit is urgently completing the remaining positions; at the same time, coordinating with the authorities to organize traffic on the route to ensure safety for people traveling. It is expected that on December 28, the remaining work at Cha Va intersection will be completed, after which vehicles can circulate smoothly on this highway.