Attending the meeting on behalf of the VEC delegation were Mr. Trương Viet Đong, Chairman of the Board of Members and Head of the Delegation; members of the Board of Members, the Executive Board, and leaders of VEC’s affiliated units.

Overview of the working session

On the side of Lao Cai province, the participants included: Mr. Trinh Xuan Truong, Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the Provincial People’s Council; Mr. Tran Huy Tuan, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the Provincial People’s Committee; Mr. Hoang Giang, Standing Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee; Mr. Nguyen The Phuoc, Permanent Vice Chairman of the Provincial People’s Committee; along with leaders from several provincial departments and agencies.

Some information about the Project and the areas of coordination during its implementation

Regarding the project, a VEC representative stated that, according to Decision No.3415/QĐ-BGTVT dated November 5, 2007, Phase 1 of the Noi Bai - Lao Cai Expressway project commenced on April 25, 2009, and was opened to traffic on September 21, 2014. The total length of the route is 264 km, of which Phase 1 covered 245 km, with a total investment of USD 1.464 billion. The expressway passes through Hanoi City; Vinh Phuc province; Phu Tho province (now unified as Phu Tho province); Yen Bai Province and Lao Cai Province (now unified as Lao Cai province).

The project to expand the Yen Bai - Lao Cai section of the Noi Bai - Lao Cai Expressway from 2 lanes to 4 lanes has a total length of approximately 121.33 km. The starting point is at Km 123+080 (IC13) in Yen Bai Province (now merged into Lao Cai Province), and the endpoint is at Km 244+155 (IC18) in Lao Cai Province. The land clearance scope implemented in Phase 1 has basically been completed to accommodate the 4-lane expansion; however, additional land clearance will be required for areas such as approach roads to tunnels, mountain tunnels themselves, and certain supplementary frontage roads for local communities, which were not included in the Phase 1 land clearance scope.

The total estimated investment for the project is approximately VND 7,668 billion, of which VND 3,055 billion will come from the State budget and VND 4,613 billion will be mobilized by VEC. The project is scheduled to be implemented from 2025 to 2027, with construction expected to commence in 2025 and to be basically completed in 2026, in accordance with the Prime Minister's directive stated in Official Document No. 624/TTg-CN dated May 30, 2025.

The representative of the consulting unit presented the Project's Feasibility Study Report

At the working session, the representative of the consulting unit presented the design solutions for the expansion phase, covering aspects such as the scale of the route, bridges, tunnels; the design of interchanges, underpasses for local communities, frontage roads, local access roads, and other design components including traffic safety facilities, lighting systems, and intelligent transport systems (ITS). The presentation also addressed the project's material needs, including fill soil, sand, crushed stone, and large rocks.

Mr. Nguyen The Cuong, Deputy General Director of VEC, stated that the corporation is currently striving to accelerate the commencement progress of the project and hopes to continue receiving close coordination and support from all levels, departments, and localities of Lao Cai Province.

In addition, the consulting unit proposed that Lao Cai province consider and agree on the key contents of the Project's Feasibility Study Report. They requested the province to direct relevant agencies, units, and localities to coordinate, support, and create favorable conditions for VEC in carrying out related tasks such as: promptly providing feedback and agreement on the scale and proposed arrangements for the restoration/supplementation of local frontage roads; coordinating and accelerating the additional land clearance work for certain project components; shortening and expediting related administrative procedures during the project implementation phase; and communicating and informing local residents to facilitate the work of the units involved in the project.

The Director of the Department of Construction stated that the department will expedite the appraisal of the Feasibility Study Report. At the same time, it was proposed that VEC and the consulting unit review and adjust certain aspects related to frontage roads, local access roads, overpasses, and similar infrastructure components.

The Director of the Department of Agriculture and Environment discussed several matters related to the procedures for the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Report and the sources of common construction materials to serve the Project.

Mr. Nguyễn Thế Phước, Permanent Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, emphasized the importance and necessity of implementing the expansion project and affirmed that for matters and procedures within its authority, Lao Cai Province will provide maximum support to VEC to ensure the project's progress.

Mr. Truog Viet Đong, Chairman of the Board of Members of VEC, expressed his gratitude to Lao Cai Province for its active cooperation with VEC in the implementation of the project over the past period. He also discussed matters related to the investment budget for certain project components, the timeline for project commencement, and the planning of rest stop facilities along the expressway

Mr. Tran Huy Tuan, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, mentioned several difficulties and obstacles that need to be resolved to ensure the project’s effectiveness. He recommended that VEC coordinate in implementing certain related tasks, emphasizing the importance of effective communication and public engagement to build consensus and support among the local population.

Speaking at the working session, Mr. Trinh Xuan Truong, Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the Provincial People's Council, noted that the former Lao Cai province and former Yen Bai Province have now merged into the new Lao Cai Province; land clearance is basically ready, and investment capital has been fundamentally secured. Therefore, the direction and coordination with VEC to implement the project to expand the Yen Bai - Lao Cai section of the Noi Bai - Lao Cai Expressway now have more favorable conditions for execution. Especially, the project has received great attention and expectations, not only from the people of Lao Cai Province but also from neighboring provinces, partners, organizations, and businesses.

Mr. Trinh Xuan Truong, Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the Provincial People’s Council, delivered remarks at the working session

Regarding the issues discussed by VEC leaders and the consulting unit at the meeting, they were all clearly answered and explained by the leaders of the Provincial People's Committee and relevant departments of Lao Cai Province. Mr. Truong requested relevant agencies, units, and localities to be proactive and flexible in carrying out their tasks. At the same time, he assigned the Provincial People's Committee to direct relevant departments and localities to coordinate with VEC in implementing several related tasks such as: the Project's Feasibility Study Report; Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Report; building materials for the project; arranging and agreeing on dumping sites and material and component storage areas for construction; and land clearance work. One leader of the Provincial People's Committee will be assigned to oversee the project, study the establishment of a Steering Committee and a Working Group, and appoint a focal point to coordinate the project's implementation.

Regarding the timing and location for the project's commencement, Lao Cai Province will issue an official document to agree with VEC, aiming to commence construction as soon as possible to accelerate the construction progress and ensure completion in accordance with the Prime Minister's directive.