Expressway system completed for HCMC, Nha Trang connection

The new expressway section runs through three central provinces: 5 km in Khanh Hoa, 63 km in Ninh Thuan, and 12 km in Binh Thuan.

It is developed by a consortium of Deo Ca Group and 194 Construction Investment Corporation, both based in HCMC, with a total investment of VND8.925 trillion (US$356.64 million) under a public-private partnership contract.

The Cam Lam - Vinh Hao section will provide a continuous connection from Nha Trang to Saigon via expressways, through the Vinh Hao - Phan Thiet, Phan Thiet - Dau Giay, Dau Giay - Long Thanh - HCMC routes in the south.

From the direction of HCMC, the section would connect with the Phan Thiet - Vinh Hao Expressway. It traverses a barren desert area, weaving through hilly terrain, with Vung Mountain in Ninh Thuan Province looming ahead.

This completion has cut travel time between HCMC and Nha Trang beach city to 4-5 hours, nearly half the time it would take via National Highway 1.

On the first day of opening, cars and trucks moved smoothly along the new route. Motorbikes are not allowed on this route.

Toll collection will only start from May 2, the investor has announced, without revealing the specific fee.

The 78.5 km long expressway, featuring 34 bridges and a 2.25 km tunnel, is equipped with an AI-driven Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) for traffic monitoring and safety. Temporary rest stops have also been established to cater to the increased traffic during the April 30 holiday.

Ta Ngoc Tri, who drove a cargo truck from the southern Dong Nai Province that borders HCMC to Binh Dinh Province near Khanh Hoa Province, home to Nha Trang, expressed his excitement that the new road had been put into service.

"It’s very convenient, reduces time and fuel costs as I could drive nonstop on just one route," he said.

The expressway, designed with four lanes, two on each side, allows cars to travel at a maximum speed of 90 kph and a minimum of 60 kph.