Creating a launching pad for socio-economic breakthrough

Comrade Giang A Tinh - Member of the Provincial Party Standing Committee, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee and the Provincial Working Delegation inspected the progress of site clearance for the route connecting Lai Chau with Noi Bai - Lao Cai Expressway.

In recent years, the province has focused all resources on building synchronous infrastructure, especially key traffic works, creating close links within the province and with localities in the region. Many large projects have been implemented, promising to change the face of traffic, promoting Lai Chau's deep integration and sustainable development.
The province's transport infrastructure has undergone a strong transformation, invested in a synchronous - modern - focused and key direction, using resources economically, improving investment efficiency and creating spillover effects, promoting harmonious development between regions.
Regarding roads, at the end of 2021, the province coordinated with Project Management Board 2 - Ministry of Transport (now the Ministry of Construction ) to implement the Northern mountainous provinces' traffic connection project, notably the route connecting Lai Chau city with Noi Bai - Lao Cai expressway, 83km long, divided into 5 packages, site clearance work reached 98.6%, construction progress of the entire route reached about 77.3%, expected to be completed by the end of 2025. When completed, this will be a strategic "connecting circuit" to shorten the travel time from Lai Chau to Hanoi to about 3.5 - 4 hours, expanding the gateway for trade, attracting investment and tourism.
Along with that, the Provincial People's Committee was assigned by the Prime Minister to be the managing agency of the Hoang Lien Tunnel Project, this is a symbolic project, replacing 22km of dangerous mountain pass, ensuring year-round traffic, increasing connectivity with Sa Pa ( Lao Cai province). The project was approved in Decision No. 523/QD-UBND dated March 14, 2025, is currently selecting design consultants and is expected to start construction at the end of 2025.
The province is also studying the Ma Lu Thang - Kim Thuy Ha multi-purpose bridge at the border gate area. This is a strategic project serving the development of the Vietnam - China border trade economy . The construction location was agreed upon in the 3rd Negotiation (June 28, 2024) and a Technical Expert Group was established. In addition, many important national highways and provincial roads such as DT130, DT132, DT133, DT128, etc. have been comprehensively renovated and upgraded; the road network to villages and hamlets has been accelerated to solidify, aiming at the goal of 100% of villages and hamlets having convenient motorbike and car roads by the end of 2025 - an increase of nearly 6% compared to the beginning of the term, soon completing the resolution's target.
Regarding inland waterways, Lai Chau owns 304km of waterway transport routes in large hydroelectric reservoirs such as: Son La, Lai Chau, Huoi Quang, Ban Chat. Of which, 2 routes managed by the Central Government are 178km long, 4 routes managed by the locality are 77.2km long and have been announced; the remaining routes are being surveyed, opening up the potential for more effective exploitation in the coming time. The province aims to exploit waterway transport combined with ecological tourism in the reservoir, contributing to creating new livelihoods for the people.
Regarding aviation, the Lai Chau Airport project has been approved by the Prime Minister in its master plan in Decision No. 648/QD-TTg dated June 7, 2023. This is considered a strategic "lever" to help the province quickly connect with major economic centers at home and abroad, opening a new era for investment, tourism, trade of goods and deep integration.
The above outstanding results not only demonstrate the province's strategic vision in developing transport infrastructure but also affirm the determination to transform Lai Chau from a remote mountainous province into a dynamic "destination", rich in opportunities and breakthrough potential. Based on the achieved results, Lai Chau has determined that transport infrastructure development continues to be a strategic breakthrough in the coming period, associated with the provincial planning and the model of "one axis - two regions - three pillars". In particular, it is necessary to effectively implement the following tasks:
Firstly, develop the external transport system to connect with provinces and major economic centers, creating momentum for socio-economic development; especially focusing on completing key transport projects, the route connecting Lai Chau with the Noi Bai - Lao Cai expressway.
Second, proactively and actively propose recommendations to the Government , the Ministry of Construction, and relevant ministries and branches to promptly implement a number of key transport projects and regional linkages in the province, such as: Khau Co Pass Tunnel; renovating and upgrading the route from the center of Lai Chau province to Ma Lu Thang border gate (in the direction of National Highway 4D and National Highway 12) and renovating and upgrading routes National Highway 4H and National Highway 279; speeding up the progress of establishing and approving the detailed planning of Lai Chau Airport, the progress of investment in the construction of Hoang Lien Pass Tunnel as a basis for implementing the next steps to attract investment; proactively, actively, and strengthen coordination and negotiation to unify the construction of a multi-purpose bridge at Ma Lu Thang border gate area connecting to China.
Third, develop the intra-regional and inter-regional transport system, routes with great influence to exploit the potential and strengths of the region, increase connectivity and product consumption. Develop urban transport infrastructure, in which priority is given to investing in a number of routes in the center of the province's administrative units.
Fourth, mobilize and effectively use resources from the central and local budgets to ODA and PPP capital; prioritize resources for key projects, apply advanced science and technology and techniques in design, construction and management.
Fifth, strengthen close coordination between levels, sectors and localities in planning, managing and implementing transport projects. Ensure consensus and unity from the stages of investment preparation, site clearance, resource mobilization to construction, acceptance and putting the project into operation. Timely remove obstacles, shorten project implementation time, improve capital efficiency and project quality.
Sixth, improve the maintenance and repair of traffic infrastructure, promote the role of the community in monitoring and protecting works; at the same time, step up propaganda so that people can participate in preserving common infrastructure.
Despite many important achievements, Lai Chau's transport infrastructure still faces many challenges: fragmented terrain, harsh climate, limited investment resources, while development needs are increasing. In the immediate future, the province's goal is to form a synchronous - modern - effectively connected transport system both inside and outside the province, creating a launching pad for socio-economic breakthroughs. To realize this goal, Lai Chau needs strong support from the Central Government, the decisive participation of all levels and sectors, the consensus and cooperation of the people and the business community; at the same time, maximizing all resources, applying science and technology, and strictly managing so that each project becomes a "lever" for sustainable development.