Breakthrough in traffic infrastructure, creating a central connection position

The 2020 - 2025 term left a strong mark on the socio-economic development picture of Lao Cai province. In particular, the transport infrastructure sector emerged as a breakthrough bright spot, shaping a new stature, helping Lao Cai gradually realize its aspiration to become a "growth pole" of the Northern Midlands and Mountains region.

Looking back over the past 5 years, it can be affirmed that Lao Cai has had a systematic, focused and key strategy for investing in transport infrastructure. Instead of spreading out, the province has concentrated resources to create a strong momentum.

Notably, the Noi Bai - Lao Cai Expressway to Sa Pa project under the BOT form will officially come into operation in early 2024. This project, especially the Mong Sen Bridge - the overpass with the highest pillars in Vietnam, has completely solved the obsession with the dangerous "three-story slope" road on National Highway 4D. This is a strategic boost for tourism - the province's key economic sector, opening a new era in attracting and serving tourists.

In addition, many other key projects have been and are being completed, contributing to the completion of the local transport network. New bridges across the Red River such as Lang Giang Bridge (completed in 2022) and Phu Thinh Bridge (opened to traffic in 2024) have broken the separation, effectively connecting the two banks of the river, opening up new development space for Lao Cai city (old) and Bao Thang district (old).

Similarly, in the old Yen Bai province, projects such as Co Phuc bridge, Gioi Phien bridge and especially the route connecting National Highway 37, 32C with Noi Bai - Lao Cai expressway have created strategic traffic axes, expanding development space for Yen Bai city (old).

Not only focusing on large projects, the whole province's transportation network has undergone a strong transformation. In the period of 2021 - 2025, the whole province has invested in upgrading and renovating 410 km of national highways and 720 km of provincial roads.

In particular, the rural transport system has been solidified for about 4,200 km. This synchronous investment has fundamentally changed the appearance of infrastructure from urban to rural areas, promoting trade and comprehensively improving people's lives.

A strategic step in this term is the launch of the Sa Pa Airport Project. From the approval of the policy, site clearance to the groundbreaking ceremony, the first bricks have been laid. This project is identified as a solid foundation for a completely new mode of transport, promising to help Lao Cai "take off" in the future.

Entering the 2025 - 2030 period, Lao Cai's transport development strategy is no longer simply to solve domestic bottlenecks, but is an ambitious transformation, creating a modern multimodal logistics center, deeply connected with the region and internationally.

This vision is built on the seamless integration of three strategic transport pillars, revolving around the “Dynamic Economic Axis along the Red River”.

Expanding the Noi Bai - Lao Cai expressway, Yen Bai - Lao Cai section to 4 lanes is an urgent requirement to increase the capacity of the road backbone, ensuring the smooth flow of goods and passengers to the Southwest China market.

On that solid road foundation, the completion and operation of Sa Pa Airport in the future will open up a completely new dimension of connectivity. Sa Pa Airport is not only a boost for the high-end tourism industry but also creates a competitive advantage for the transportation of high-value goods, attracting investment and international experts.

The “puzzle piece” that is expected to reshape the entire economic role of Lao Cai is the international standard gauge railway. This is a strategic step to shorten time, reduce logistics costs, and turn Lao Cai from a border province into an indispensable link in the international supply chain.

The combination of highways, airports and international railways will create a complete transport ecosystem, a launching pad for Lao Cai to truly take off.

It can be seen that Lao Cai has been implementing a consistent and drastic strategy for developing transport infrastructure. The projects not only have economic and social value but also symbolize the province's aspirations to rise, affirming its position as a dynamic international economic and trade connection center.

Source: https://baolaocai.vn/dot-pha-ha-tang-giao-thong-kien-tao-vi-the-trung-tam-ket-noi-post884621.html