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| The Ho Chi Minh City - Long Thanh - Dau Giay Expressway was started in October 2009 with a total investment of nearly 21,000 billion VND under the BOT (Build-Operate-Transfer) model. After the entire 55km route is opened to traffic, this expressway will have 4 lanes for two-way traffic and 2 safety lanes on either side, with a design speed of 120 km/hour. |
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| This project is part of the North-South expressway system, located within the key economic triangle of Ho Chi Minh City, Dong Nai, and Ba Ria-Vung Tau, connecting with the Central Highlands and Central Vietnam. Previously, in January 2014, the first 20 km, from Ring Road 2 (Ho Chi Minh City) to National Highway 51 (Dong Nai), was opened to traffic, shortening the route from Ho Chi Minh City to Vung Tau to 95 km with a travel time of approximately 80 minutes, instead of the previous 120 km and 150 minutes. |
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Phase 2 of the project, starting from Long Thanh town (National Highway 51 intersection) to Dau Giay (National Highway 1), spans over 31 km and passes through Long Thanh, Cam My, and Thong Nhat districts in Dong Nai province. It will open to traffic on February 8th. At that time, the route from Ho Chi Minh City to Dau Giay Junction (National Highway 1 and towards Lien Khuong) will be reduced to 50 km, taking only 60 minutes, instead of the previous 70 km journey which often took 3 hours due to traffic congestion on National Highway 1. |
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According to the investor (Vietnam Expressway Investment and Development Corporation - VEC), this is currently the most modern expressway in Vietnam, with notable features such as three grade-separated interchanges along the entire route, ensuring the principle of preventing intersections. The standards for longitudinal slope, vertical curves, and horizontal curves all meet the maximum levels stipulated for expressways. |
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| Along the route, there are corrugated iron sheets and fences separating it from residential areas, farms, and agricultural production zones. All overpasses crossing the highway are designed with high railings. 100% of the road surface is covered with a textured asphalt concrete layer, ensuring increased traction for vehicle wheels, especially in rainy weather. |
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| Furthermore, despite running through largely forested and agricultural land with sparse populations, the expressway still ensures transportation and production for people on both sides by constructing numerous underpasses for vehicles to travel beneath. With over 30 km of the expressway about to be put into use, the investor has also built two large rest stops along the road offering services such as refueling, food, and rest for people and vehicles passing through. |
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The route is also equipped with a high-speed automatic vehicle weighing system, ensuring that overloaded vehicles are monitored while in transit without needing to stop. In addition, the Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) package is being implemented, providing a complete camera system to ensure image monitoring along the entire route, controlling traffic volume at each point along the route, and implementing non-stop toll collection, saving time for vehicles. This package is expected to be completed by the end of 2015. (In the photo: The modern 8-lane Dau Giay toll station at the beginning of the expressway heading towards Ho Chi Minh City.) |
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| Throughout the entire route, all roads intersecting with the expressway have been carefully designed to ensure safety and minimize impact on vehicle speed. |
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| The Dau Giay interchange in Dong Nai province connects with the Dau Giay - Lien Khuong and Dau Giay - Phan Thiet expressways. |
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According to the investor, along the entire route, the construction items are designed with a high degree of harmony with nature, ensuring aesthetic appeal. |
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| Since this route allows speeds up to 120 km/h, VEC advises drivers to carefully check their tires and brakes before driving. Tires should also not be underinflated or overinflated. |
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| On the afternoon of February 5th, construction units were rushing to complete the remaining tasks to be ready for the opening day. |
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| Workers are clearing trash from the median strip. The investor asserts that this will be a trash-free highway. Many banners reading "Please give me your trash" are hung along both sides of the road. Employees at the toll booths of Vietnam Expressway Technical Services Joint Stock Company (VECE), the operator and manager of the Long Thanh Expressway, in addition to saying "Hello" and "Thank you" when collecting tolls from vehicles entering the expressway, also have to politely ask for... trash from the vehicles. |
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| Workers are using water to clean the median strips and lane markings that have become dirty during construction, ensuring the entire 55-kilometer stretch from Ho Chi Minh City to Dong Nai is clean before the official opening of the road. |
According to Zing
