Strengthening Regional Connectivity to Expand Development Space

In early July, despite persistent heavy rains, construction activities continued unabated at the Hoa Binh–Moc Chau Expressway project. Amid the mountains, hundreds of engineers, technicians and workers from Enterprise 991, Construction 99 One Member Co., Ltd. (under Truong Son Construction Corporation), together with other contractors, have remained on site day and night, working with the determination to “overcome sunshine, conquer rain”.

Despite adverse weather conditions, construction of the Hoa Binh–Moc Chau Expressway section passing through Da Bac Commune continues without interruption.

Building New Transport Corridors

According to Major Nguyen Van Thiet, Director of Enterprise 991, every bridge pier erected and every metre of road completed brings the project one step closer to its target completion in 2027. Beyond being a transport infrastructure project, the expressway represents Phu Tho’s new development vision of using modern connectivity to expand development space and strengthen regional integration.

Following the merger, Phu Tho entered a new stage of development with an unprecedented geographical scale. While the expanded territory offers significant opportunities, it also requires a comprehensive transportation network capable of connecting different regions. Regional connectivity has therefore become a practical necessity for creating new growth momentum.

Mr. Quach Tat Liem - Member of the Provincial Party Committee and Vice Chairman of the Phu Tho Provincial People’s Committee, inspects the construction progress of the regional link road connecting Thung Nai, Muong Hoa, Muong Bi and National Highway 6.

Within this vision, transport infrastructure has been identified as the province’s strategic breakthrough. The Hoa Binh–Moc Chau Expressway is one of the most significant projects. The expressway extends approximately 34 kilometres, nearly 32 kilometres of which run through Phu Tho Province. Construction is currently underway simultaneously across four major contract packages. Roadbeds, major bridges, mountain tunnels and the Hoa Son cable-stayed bridge are all being built at multiple construction fronts.

The project owner and contractors are maintaining three-shift, four-crew operations, mobilising maximum manpower and equipment in line with the spirit of "overcoming sunshine, conquering rain and never yielding to storms." Once completed, the expressway will establish a modern transport corridor linking the western part of the province with the Northwest region while integrating with Vietnam’s national expressway network, creating favourable conditions for new regional economic linkages.

Newly constructed transport routes are enhancing connectivity among the province’s key economic regions.

Beyond the Hoa Binh–Moc Chau Expressway, Phu Tho is concentrating resources on several other major regional connectivity projects, including the Tuyen Quang–Phu Tho Expressway, the new Phong Chau Bridge, and the 500kV Lao Cai–Vinh Yen transmission line. These strategic projects will strengthen economic corridors linking the Northern Midlands and Mountainous Region with the Red River Delta and Hanoi Capital Region. Once completed, they will not only shorten travel distances but also significantly expand the province’s development opportunities.

Unlocking New Development Opportunities

Alongside infrastructure investment, the province is accelerating planning activities to shape its future development landscape. Following the merger, Phu Tho became one of the first localities nationwide to complete adjustments to its Provincial Master Plan for 2021–2030, with a vision to 2050.

The updated master plan establishes four socio-economic regions, three economic corridors, one ecological belt, and five development axes, providing an important framework for maximising the province’s comparative advantages while strengthening connections with both the Hanoi Capital Region and the Northern Midlands and Mountainous Region.

The regional road linking Thung Nai – Muong Hoa – Muong Bi – National Highway 6 is opening up new development opportunities associated with the Hoa Binh Lake National Tourist Area.

Regional integration is also expanding across multiple sectors. In industry, the province aims to participate more deeply in global supply chains through the development of manufacturing, processing and supporting industries. In agriculture, hundreds of production, processing and marketing value chains have been established, helping increase the value of local specialty products. Tourism is also being promoted through interconnected routes linking Hung Temple, Tam Dao, Hoa Binh Lake, and major eco-tourism and resort destinations.

At the same time, digital transformation is creating a new form of “soft infrastructure” to support regional connectivity. The province has synchronously deployed national and sectoral databases while completing the digitalisation of land administration, education and Party organisation data. Telecommunications infrastructure, internet services and 5G networks have also been expanded across the province, providing essential conditions for greater data sharing, improved governance and accelerated digital economic development.

Nevertheless, economic experts note that significant challenges remain. Coordination mechanisms among localities still require improvement, infrastructure investment demand continues to exceed available resources, and both human resource quality and inter-sectoral data connectivity need further enhancement. Addressing these bottlenecks will be essential to fully unlock the province’s post-merger advantages.

As strategic transport projects are completed and new economic corridors gradually take shape, regional connectivity will evolve from a planning objective into a direct driver of growth, helping establish Phu Tho as one of northern Vietnam’s most important regional growth centres.

Manh Hung