Strong development of tourism but lack of highways
Currently, from Ho Chi Minh City or Dong Nai to Ba Ria - Vung Tau, there is only one National Highway 51, then turn onto the inner-city roads. Despite strong development in tourism and seaports, the province still does not have any expressway. Meanwhile, National Highway 51 is often overloaded, causing long travel times.
Mr. Tran Hoang Hai Phong (HCMC) shared: "I used to go to Vung Tau regularly, but now I have to limit it because of traffic jams. Once, a road of more than 100km took up to 6 hours to travel, which was very tiring when traveling with children.
Ho Tram (Xuyen Moc district) is emerging as a high-end tourist destination, but connecting traffic is still inconvenient. After arriving in Ba Ria - Vung Tau, visitors will have to spend about 2 more hours to move on, through many narrow national and provincial highways.
The explosion of tourism in Vung Tau, Ho Tram, combined with the prospect of Long Thanh airport coming into operation, makes the need for investment in connecting transport infrastructure even more urgent.
Mr. Nguyen Van Tho, Chairman of the People's Committee of Ba Ria - Vung Tau province - commented that according to development needs and with Long Thanh airport coming into operation, the pressure on existing routes will certainly increase. Therefore, it is necessary to have new connecting routes...
Adding expressways is to promote development, enhance the destination
Faced with urgent needs, Ba Ria - Vung Tau has implemented a series of solutions to upgrade and renovate transport infrastructure in the area, in order to promote socio-economic development and tourism in the coming time.
The locality has created maximum conditions, organizing supervision and urging the construction of component project 3 Bien Hoa - Vung Tau Expressway 1 phase 1 to ensure the schedule according to the plan. This project was opened through the technical traffic through Ba Ria - Vung Tau area on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the liberation of the South, reuniting the country 30.4 and continuing to complete the remaining sections to put into operation in 2026.
Ba Ria - Vung Tau has just been approved by the Government to build a highway about 50km long, connecting Long Thanh (Dong Nai) with Ho Tram, passing through Phu My, Chau Duc and Xuyen Moc localities. The project has a total investment of about VND 17,300 billion, if completed, the travel time will be shortened to about 1 hour, enhancing connectivity with Long Thanh airport, while promoting regional economic linkages.
Ba Ria - Vung Tau is implementing a series of key transport projects such as the DT 994 coastal road, nearly 77km long, 6-8 lanes, total capital of more than VND 6,500 billion; the 16.5km Bien Hoa - Vung Tau expressway connection route, investment capital of more than VND 13,900 billion (expected to start phase 1 on April 30)... along with many other important projects preparing to complete.
According to the provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, improving infrastructure and adding transport routes will facilitate travel to destinations in the area. This is a premise to attract tourists to choose Ba Ria - Vung Tau as a destination, especially in the segment of international tourists, MICE visitors (organizing conferences, seminars, exhibitions...).
Mr. Nguyen Cong Vinh - Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee - said that many important traffic routes in the province, when completed, will create a smooth, modern transportation network, connecting infrastructure, connecting Ba Ria - Vung Tau to the key economic region in the South.
In particular, routes such as Provincial Road DT 994, Long Thanh - Ho Tram Expressway... after completion will replace the existing route connecting all areas...
