Vietnam to begin construction of $106M bridge on Dec 19

By An Binh December 4, 2025 | 04:39 pm PT

An illustration of the future Dinh Khao Bridge over Co Chien River, southern Vietnam. Photo courtesy of the Vinh Long Transportation Project Management Unit

Construction on the Dinh Khao Bridge, a 4.3-kilometer span set to replace the ferry across the Co Chien River, will begin on Dec. 19, improving travel across the Mekong Delta and linking key regional highways.

According to Vinh Long Province authorities, the project is being developed under a PPP model with a build–operate–transfer contract, led by the provincial Transportation Project Management Unit.

The route will start from Provincial Road 902 in Nhon My Commune and end at National Highway 57 in Phu Phung Commune.

Its centerpiece is a 1.5-kilometer main bridge over the Co Chien River, built 17.5 meters wide with four lanes and a design speed of 80 kph. Total investment exceeds VND2.852 trillion ($106 million), including nearly VND613 billion for compensation and resettlement and more than VND1.645 trillion for construction. The build is expected to take three years.

Stretching more than 80 kilometers, the Co Chien River forms a natural boundary between Vinh Long, Ben Tre and Tra Vinh. Once completed, Dinh Khao will become the second bridge over the river, ending reliance on the ferry, cutting travel time, easing congestion and strengthening connectivity across the Mekong Delta.

A decade ago, the Co Chien Bridge linking Ben Tre and Tra Vinh opened with an investment of VND2.3 trillion, shortening the journey from Ho Chi Minh City to Tra Vinh and Soc Trang by about 70 kilometers.