VEHICLES NOW ALLOWED ON 30KM OF BEN LUC–LONG THANH EXPY
The Vietnam Expressway Corporation (VEC) has announced the official opening of two sections of the Ben Luc–Long Thanh expressway to traffic from 6 p.m. today (April 28), reported the local media. The two sections now fully open are a 21-kilometer section from the HCMC–Trung Luong interchange to the Nguyen Van Tao interchange, and a seven-kilometer section from the Phuoc An interchange to National Highway 51 in Dong Nai Province.
CONSTRUCTION OF NORTH-SOUTH HIGH-SPEED RAILWAY TO START IN 2026: PM
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has emphasised the need for bold and accelerated action to develop the railway industry, serving Vietnam’s long-term national development goals. Currently, four major railway projects are underway, including the Lao Cai–Hanoi–Hai Phong line, the Hanoi–Lang Son and Hai Phong–Mong Cai lines, the North–South high-speed railway, and urban rail projects in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.
UNLOCK TRANSPORT POTENTIAL TO ACCELERATE MEKONG DELTA GROWTH: PM
Unlocking all modes of transport, including road, air, maritime, inland waterway, and rail, is key to lifting the Mekong Delta out of poverty and propelling its growth, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has said. Addressing a conference in Can Tho city on April 21 to review the progress of major transport infrastructure projects in the south, PM Chinh underlined that each generation must contribute to achieving this overarching goal.
80 INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS ROLLED OUT NATIONWIDE
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh today, April 19, chaired the groundbreaking and inauguration ceremonies of 80 key national projects across the country to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the liberation of the south and the reunification of the nation on April 30. The ceremonies were held in a hybrid format, with the main event taking place at Terminal 3 of Tan Son Nhat International Airport in HCMC and connected virtually to other sites nationwide.
VIETNAM, CHINA INK SEVEN TRANSPORT COOPERATION DEALS
Four of the seven agreements relate to railway development. These include a memorandum of understanding to establish a joint committee for Vietnam–China railway cooperation and technical support from China for feasibility studies and planning of several standard-gauge rail lines, including Lao Cai–Hanoi–Haiphong, Dong Dang–Hanoi, and Mong Cai–Ha Long–Haiphong.
OVER VND77 TRILLION EARMARKED FOR HCMC PORT SYSTEM THROUGH 2030
The Ministry of Construction has approved a comprehensive development plan for HCMC’s seaport system through 2030, with total investment needs exceeding VND77 trillion to expand capacity, improve infrastructure, and support long-term urban growth. The HCMC seaport system will require 1,567 hectares of land by 2030.
VIETNAM AIMS FOR 454 BILLION USD EXPORT REVENUE AMIDST GLOBAL HEADWINDS
Vietnam has set an ambitious export target of 454 billion USD for 2025, a 12 per cent year-on-year increase, despite recent signs of deceleration in exports due to global economic pressures. Many experts believe that achieving this goal will require decisive actions from regulatory bodies and extraordinary efforts from businesses to overcome obstacles.
LOW-VALUE IMPORTS NO LONGER EXEMPT FROM VAT
This policy change follows the rapid expansion of e-commerce, which has led to a significant rise in low-value imported goods. According to the Department of Vietnam Customs, in 2023, the total value of such imports (under VND1 million) via express delivery services amounted to VND27.7 trillion. With a 10% VAT rate applied, the State budget stands to gain an estimated VND2.7 trillion annually.
