New Year Spirit at the Hoa Binh - Moc Chau Expressway Construction Site

On the morning of February 23 (the 7th day of the first lunar month), as the ceremony to launch the New Year emulation movement concluded at the Hoa Binh - Moc Chau Expressway site, engines roared in unison. Thousands of engineers and workers moved into position. Cranes reached skyward, and machinery surged to life. The massive construction site was “awakened” by a single command: Accelerate from the very first days of Spring.

Immediately after the emulation launch, cranes rose and engines throbbed across the Hoa Binh - Moc Chau Expressway project.

In reality, many teams did not have a full Tet holiday. Throughout the Lunar New Year, engineers and workers remained stationed at the Hoa Son Bridge site—a key component of the entire route—to maintain construction through the holidays.

Amidst the vast waters, barges carrying thousands of tons of steel, cement, and specialized equipment quietly cut through the waves. At night, site lights reflected off the lake, illuminating back-to-back work shifts.

Workers at the Hoa Son Bridge project begin their shifts immediately after the emulation ceremony on the morning of February 23.

Mr. Nguyen Dinh Dai, Deputy Director of the Hoa Son Bridge Construction Management Board (Trung Chinh Trading & Construction Co., Ltd.), reported: "During Tet, we completed two bored piles at piers P8 and P9, bringing the total to 15 out of 45 piles—one-third of the total volume. These foundation piles require exceptionally high technical standards, reaching depths of nearly 90m with a diameter of 2.3m."

A bustling work atmosphere across teams at the Hoa Son Bridge site following the Tet break.

Constructing in the middle of a reservoir presents immense challenges: all materials must be transported by water, the geology is complex with hard rock, and water levels fluctuate constantly. "Completing two bored piles during Tet was a massive effort. It wasn’t just about the volume; it was about our determination not to let the progress falter," Engineer Dai said over the roar of drills. With nearly 20 years in the field, he has worked on major bridges nationwide, yet the Hoa Son Bridge—with a 550m cable-stayed main span—is a unique challenge.

"Our goal for 2026 is to ensure pier heights exceed flood levels before water impoundment. The pressure is immense, which is why we maintained ’through-Tet' shifts. This morning, without needing a reminder, every worker proactively reviewed their tasks to ensure both speed and quality."

Engineers and workers remained on-site through Tet to complete bored piles P8 and P9 at Hoa Son Bridge.

On a barge carrying steel cages, Tran Van Hung, a worker from Nghe An, tightened a mooring rope with a smile: "I spent New Year’s Eve here. I missed home, but when the drill reached the design depth right during Tet, we were all overjoyed. After this morning’s launch, everyone is committed to working faster and safer."

That spirit radiated across the entire route. Construction Package 03 (Km40+750 to Km50+260), handled by the Truong Son Construction Corporation, is the project’s largest, accounting for over 50% of the total capital. Major Nguyen Van Thiet, Director of Enterprise 991 (99 Construction One Member Ltd.), noted that they are simultaneously building three specialized viaducts with piers exceeding 50m in height in treacherous terrain.

To date, approximately 20% of the volume has been completed. "Immediately after the ceremony, every team registered weekly and monthly targets. For us soldier-workers, ’emulation' isn’t just a slogan—it’s measured in concrete output and numbers," Major Thiet emphasized.

Hundred-ton components for the specialized bridges on the Hoa Binh - Moc Chau Expressway were completed by workers during the Tet holiday.

At the segment from Km45+700 to Km50+200, nearly 300 workers were active at the peak. Mr. Do Duy Thanh, field supervisor for Thang Long Construction JSC, reported that after eight months, output has reached over 200 billion VND out of a 1,100 billion VND plan—roughly 15% of the package. "Machinery was meticulously maintained during the break, so we resumed full operations today without delay. We are pushing every front to meet and exceed the schedule."

The urgent pace of labor on the Hoa Binh - Moc Chau Expressway site following the launch ceremony.

At the 360m-long viaduct at Km44+906, featuring 12 spans, 100% of the pier bases and 50% of the pier shafts are finished. Engineer Nguyen Minh Thiet remained on-site throughout the first day of the campaign. Personnel and equipment are mobilized to the maximum, working three continuous shifts to target completion by October 2026.

Amidst a short lunch break, Do Hong Quan, a young engineer from Lao Cai, looked down at the blue reservoir. Two years with the project have meant two Tet holidays away from home. "Seeing families gather makes me a bit homesick. But hearing the emulation call this morning lit a “fire” inside me. Being young and contributing to such a grand project is a point of pride," Quan shared.

With the highest resolve, the expressway is steadily taking shape across the high mountains. According to the Hoa Binh Regional Project Management Board (the investor), as of February 2026, land clearance has reached 97% (32.8/34km handed over), and the 2025 disbursement rate hit 97% of the plan.

High-altitude viaduct piers with large spans at Km44+906 were completed during the Lunar New Year 2026.

In the forests of the Northwest, this spring is colored not just by peach and plum blossoms, but by the prominent uniforms of workers. Two bored piles finished during Tet; 50% of viaduct volumes reached; and hundreds of billions of VND in construction value performed safely—all create powerful momentum for the new emulation phase. “Spring is most beautiful when the road takes shape, and the progress we build takes a long step forward,” Major Nguyen Van Thiet concluded.

Manh Hung