Meeting of the Steering Committee for the construction of the Hoa Binh - Moc Chau expressway section within Son La province.

Attending the meeting were: Mr. Nguyen Minh Tien, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee and Deputy Head of the Steering Committee; Mr. Dao Tai Tue, Member of the Provincial Party Standing Committee and Director of the Department of Construction; members of the Steering Committee; and representatives from the construction contractors and project supervision consultants.

The head of the Project Management Board for Transportation Infrastructure Projects reported at the meeting.

The Hoa Binh - Moc Chau expressway construction project, specifically the section within Son La province, is a key project with strategic significance for the socio-economic development of the locality and the Northwest region. The road has a total length of 32.3 km and a total investment of VND 4,445 billion, funded by the central and provincial budgets. The project is scheduled for implementation from 2023 to 2028. To date, the investor of the land clearance component and local authorities have handed over 26.42 km out of 32.3 km of land to the investor of component 3 and the construction contractors. Regarding construction progress, contractors have mobilized machinery and personnel to begin construction on-site, with completion planned for 2028.

Comrade Dao Tai Tue, Member of the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee and Director of the Department of Construction, delivered a speech at the meeting.

Comrade Nguyen Minh Tien, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, delivered a speech at the meeting.

A representative from the construction contractor unit spoke at the meeting.

At the meeting, delegates focused their discussions on the following issues: the progress of land handover for each section and area; remaining obstacles and areas not yet contiguous; difficulties in arranging resettlement, waste disposal sites, service roads, and construction material exploitation; and proposed specific, feasible, and legally compliant solutions. They also discussed the construction progress, capacity, and responsibilities of the contractors. Furthermore, they proposed investment directions for expanding the Hoa Binh - Moc Chau section from 2 lanes to 4 lanes and investing in the construction of the Moc Chau - Son La - Dien Bien expressway section.

Comrade Nguyen Dinh Viet, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, delivered the concluding remarks at the meeting.

Concluding the meeting, the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee requested that relevant departments, localities, and units continue to prioritize the implementation of the Hoa Binh - Moc Chau expressway project, specifically the section within Son La province, as a key political task. They must focus intensely, act decisively and effectively, and absolutely avoid delays due to subjective reasons. They should regularly review and assess progress, proactively coordinate with the investor and local authorities to resolve obstacles according to their assigned functions and responsibilities. The role and responsibility of leaders in land clearance and resettlement should be strengthened, and proactive efforts should be made to educate and mobilize the public to foster consensus.

For investors and contractors, it is necessary to review the construction organization plan; increase manpower and equipment, and proceed with construction as soon as land is available; closely coordinate with local authorities in land clearance work, ensuring safety, quality, and project progress. Continue to review and balance the allocation of local capital to advise the Provincial People's Committee to report to the Ministry of Finance and the Prime Minister for consideration of central government budget support for Son La province to invest in expanding the Hoa Binh - Moc Chau section from 2 lanes to 4 lanes.

Regarding the investment plan for the Moc Chau - Son La - Dien Bien expressway section, the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee requested relevant departments, agencies, and localities to review the necessity of the investment, assess its socio-economic effectiveness, the ability to balance capital sources, and the methods of mobilization. They should also research and simultaneously carry out subsequent tasks (investment project planning, land preparation, etc.) to strive for a groundbreaking ceremony on May 19, 2026.

Huy Thanh