The Standing Committee of the National Assembly unanimously agreed to submit to the National Assembly for consideration and approval the investment plan for the Vinh - Thanh Thuy expressway in Nghe An province.
On the evening of November 24th, at its 51st session, the Standing Committee of the National Assembly discussed the Vinh - Thanh Thuy Expressway Project. The session was chaired by Comrade Tran Thanh Man, Member of the Political Bureau and Chairman of the National Assembly.
Attending the working session were leaders of Nghe An province including: Ms. Vo Thi Minh Sinh - Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairwoman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of the province, Head of the Provincial National Assembly Delegation; and Mr. Hoang Phu Hien - Member of the Provincial Party Committee, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee.
Also attending was Comrade Pham Hong Quang - Member of the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee, Director of the Department of Construction.
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The project starts at Km0+000, intersecting with the Eastern North-South Expressway section from Dien Chau to Bai Vot (Hung Tay interchange, Hung Nguyen commune, Nghe An province). The end point connects to the Thanh Thuy Border Gate Economic Zone, the Thanh Thuy - Nam On border gate pair.
The expressway, approximately 60 km long, has a preliminary total investment of over 23,950 billion VND and passes through the communes of Hung Nguyen, Kim Lien, Dai Hue, Van An, Nam Dan, Xuan Lam, Hoa Quan, Son Lam, and Kim Bang. Upon completion, the route will be a crucial section of the Hanoi-Vientiane expressway corridor.
The Standing Committee of the National Assembly's Economic and Financial Committee assessed that the Government's submitted dossier was basically complete in accordance with the Law on Public Investment for nationally important projects. The project meets the criteria for falling under the National Assembly's authority to decide on investment policies. Submitting it to the National Assembly for consideration is appropriate.
The reviewing agency affirmed the necessity of implementing the project to concretize the policy of developing a synchronous and modern transportation infrastructure; promoting regional connectivity and international integration; and strengthening national defense and security in the border region.
The investment policy is also consistent with the 10-year socio-economic development strategy (2021-2030) and the Resolution of the 13th National Congress of the Party; it is in line with the national master plan, the road network plan, and the Nghe An provincial plan for the period 2021-2030.
According to the plan, the Vinh - Thanh Thuy route is approximately 85 km long with 6 lanes. However, only 60 km with 4 lanes have been invested in during this phase, while the Cua Lo - Vinh section (approximately 25 km) has not yet been implemented.
Therefore, the Standing Committee of the Economic and Financial Committee proposes clarifying the basis for phasing, ensuring the selection of the optimal route option that facilitates connections between seaports, airports, industrial zones, tourist areas, and logistics centers; and also proposes adding some other content.
On behalf of the Standing Committee of the National Assembly, concluding this matter, Comrade Vu Hong Thanh - Member of the Central Committee of the Party, Vice Chairman of the National Assembly - agreed with the Government's proposal to submit the project to the National Assembly for consideration and approval of the investment policy.
The comrade emphasized that the Vinh - Thanh Thuy expressway is a strategic connecting route between the North Central region and the Lao People's Democratic Republic, promoting economic, social, and border trade development, tourism, logistics, strengthening international connectivity, and ensuring security and defense in the border region.
The Vice Chairman of the National Assembly requested the Government to direct ministries and agencies to coordinate closely with the People's Committee of Nghe An province, incorporate the opinions of the National Assembly Standing Committee and the reviewing agency to finalize the project dossier for submission to the National Assembly at the 10th session.
The comrade also requested the Government to direct ministries and agencies to coordinate with the People's Committee of Nghe An province, incorporate the opinions of the Standing Committee of the National Assembly, and review the draft by the Economic and Financial Committee and other agencies of the National Assembly to further complete the project dossier and submit it to the National Assembly as soon as possible as prescribed.
He outlined five areas that need further clarification, including: clarifying transportation needs on the East-West economic corridor and the Vinh-Thanh Thuy route in each phase to better understand the necessity and urgency of investing in the project.
Review the scope and scale of investment and preliminary design options. Clarify the basis for the 60 km phased investment, the 4-lane scale, the optimal route plan, and convenient connections to seaports, airports, industrial zones, tourist areas, and logistics centers. Invest in the construction of rest stops, intelligent transportation systems, interchanges, and supporting infrastructure to ensure the project's investment efficiency.
The Vice Chairman of the National Assembly also requested clarification on compensation and resettlement support plans, land use conversion, and a thorough review to minimize the conversion of upstream protection forests and rice-growing areas; and to minimize negative impacts on national nature reserves, historical and cultural heritage sites.
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Conduct a thorough assessment of the impact on affected households; supplement solutions to ensure livelihoods, vocational training, and job creation for the people; ensure that the new resettlement area is better than or equivalent to the old one; clearly define the compensation schedule and the responsibilities of all levels of government; and strengthen environmental monitoring during the construction process.
The Standing Committee of the National Assembly also requested a supplementary report on the mobilization and balancing of capital for the project; clarification of the specific commitments of the Lao side regarding the progress of preparation and implementation of the Thanh Thuy - Vientiane route, ensuring the synchronized progress of both phases, both sides and the route. It also requested clarification of the specific technical standards, lane scale, and design speed to be applied to the Thanh Thuy - Vientiane route, ensuring synchronization, connectivity, and efficient operation of the entire route.
The National Assembly Committee generally agrees with the special mechanisms and policies for the project, which have already been approved by the National Assembly for other nationally important projects. However, it requests further careful review to avoid obstacles and shortcomings during the project's implementation.