The Ministry of Transport (MoT) is expected estimated total demand of over VND447.2 trillion (US$19.3 billion) for medium-term public infrastructure investment projects during 2021-2025.

Seven traffic infrastructure projects in the country have fallen behind schedule, including Ben Luc-Long Thanh and Trung Luong-My Thuan expressways, along with five urban railways, according to the Ministry of Transport.

The Ministry of Transport has approved of the project planning to build Sa Pa Airport in Lao Cai Province, along the Hai Phong-Hanoi-Lao Cai economic corridor.

The Ministry of Planning and Investment said in a report sent to the National Assembly (NA) that the capital revision for five metro line projects is being handled cautiously.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has ordered the Ministry of Transport to impose strict sanctions on those responsible for irregularities found in the Cat Linh-Ha Dong urban rail project.

The total funding needed for infrastructure projects in HCMC and those connected with neighboring provinces in the 2020-2025 period is estimated at VND83 trillion (US$3.6 billion), Thanh Nien newspaper reported.

The Ministry of Transport, the Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) People's Committee and the Tay Ninh provincial People’s Committee signed a cooperation agreement on October 26 to build the Ho Chi Minh City-Moc Bai highway.

The Government has proposed the National Assembly (NA) name the State-owned Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV) as the main investor for the first phase of Long Thanh International Airport project in Dong Nai province.

Investors for eight components of the North-South expressway project, with total private investment capital for 11 sub-projects is estimated at VND 51.7 trillion (US$2.22 billion), will be named in August next year.

Vietnam has closed its door to international investors joining the Eastern North-South Expressway initiative, catering to domestic groups only. However, the bankability of this key national project remains in question.

The Ministry of Transport (MoT) has asked the Hanoi People’s Committee to close all cafés along the railway line between Dien Bien Phu and Phung Hung streets.

In case no bidder qualifies for selection, the Ministry of Transport (MoT) would propose adjusting the financing mechanism of the project to public investment, said Nguyen Ngoc Dong, vice minister of transport.

Although the national expressway project is a national priority with very high standards, local companies are fully capable of executing the project, said an expert.

Changing the procurement method to domestic bidding would help “ensure national security and enhance capacity of Vietnamese enterprises in fields of infrastructure development,” said the Ministry of Transport.

The Ministry of Transport (MoT) will punish organisations and individuals in project management units whose failure to fulfill their responsibilities cause a slow disbursement of funds.