On June 28, Vietnam Expressway Corporation (VEC) held a ceremony to connect Binh Khanh Bridge - a large cable-stayed bridge on the Ben Luc - Long Thanh Expressway, across the Soai Rap River, connecting Nha Be District with Can Gio District (HCMC). The project belongs to package J1 (Km21+739.5 - Km24+503), funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), with a total construction contract value of more than VND 2,800 billion.
The bridge is 2,763m long, with a main span of 375m, designed with double-sided rope and two towers 155m high. The bridge surface is 21.75m wide, including 4 lanes for motor vehicles and 2 emergency lanes. With a clearance of 55m, this is the bridge with the highest clearance in Vietnam today, allowing large ships to pass safely.
The project started in 2015, and had to be temporarily suspended in early 2019 due to problems with ODA capital allocation. After that, the project had its difficulties removed and continued construction from September 2022. The J1 package currently has a production of 92.55%, the construction of the main bridge ensures the planned progress. The approach bridge section is being accelerated, including railings and median strips to complete the entire J1 package by August 30.
Speaking at the ceremony, Mr. Dang Huu Vi - Director of the Southern Expressway Management Board (Vietnam Expressway Corporation - VEC) affirmed: "Binh Khanh Bridge is an important bottleneck that determines the progress of the entire project. Today's closure is a testament to the efforts and solidarity of all VEC staff and workers to put the Ben Luc - Long Thanh expressway into operation in 2026, contributing to realizing the goal of 3,000km of expressway in 2025, practically welcoming the Party Congresses at all levels, towards the 14th National Party Congress".
Along with Binh Khanh Bridge, Phuoc Khanh Bridge - the remaining project on the route has also resumed construction since May 2025 after many years of stagnation. The bridge is more than 3.1km long, the tower is 135m high, previously reaching 81% of the progress. Currently, VEC has selected a new contractor consortium to complete the remaining part and is expected to complete the Phuoc Khanh bridge package in the third quarter of 2026.
The Ben Luc - Long Thanh Expressway has a total length of 57.8km, passing through Long An (2.7km), Ho Chi Minh City (26.4km) and Dong Nai (28.7km), with a total investment of more than VND 29,587 billion. The route plays a strategic role in connecting the East - Southwest, reducing the load on National Highway 1 and National Highway 51, shortening the time from the West to Long Thanh airport, Cai Mep - Thi Vai port.
From 2022 to now, many packages have been restarted. Currently, the project has put nearly 30km into operation, and it is expected that an additional 23km will be completed by the third quarter of 2025, aiming to open the entire route to traffic in the third quarter of 2026.
