Dong Nai and Ho Chi Minh City consider plans to upgrade and repair National Highway 51

Dong Nai Provincial People's Committee and Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee have agreed to assign the Departments of Construction of the two localities to review the BOT contract of the Project to Upgrade and Expand National Highway 51 (phase 1) signed with the investor to carry out the repair and upgrade of National Highway 51.

National Highway 51 is a vital traffic route connecting Dong Nai with Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Pham Tung

In the immediate term, the two localities will review and propose upgrades and repairs to this national highway to facilitate traffic and ensure road safety. In the long term, they assess that it is necessary to consider a coordinated and effective investment plan and model.

National Highway 51 is about 64km long, passing through Dong Nai province and Ho Chi Minh City. This project is a vital national highway that passes through numerous industrial parks and seaports, resulting in a large volume of traffic. Currently, many sections of this national highway have been damaged and degraded.

The Project to Upgrade and Expand National Highway 51 (phase 1), implemented under a BOT contract, was under the authority of the Ministry of Transport (now the Ministry of Construction). The project enterprise was Bien Hoa - Vung Tau Expressway Development Joint Stock Company. Construction was completed, and the project was put into operation in 2013. Toll collection was temporarily suspended in January 2023 to determine the toll collection period; however, the issue remains unresolved.

Implementing the provisions of the 2024 Road Law, the Ministry of Construction has directed the Vietnam Road Administration (the agency assigned to manage assets) to transfer the road infrastructure assets of this national highway to the People's Committee of Dong Nai province and the former People's Committee of former Ba Ria - Vung Tau province, Ho Chi Minh City now, for management and operation.

In October 2025, the joint venture of Construction Corporation No. 1 (CC1) and Bien Hoa - Vung Tau Expressway Development Joint Stock Company (BVEC) proposed to the Prime Minister to implement the Project to Invest in Renovating and Upgrading National Highway 51 (phase 2) under the public-private partnership (PPP) method, BOT contract.

In its written response to the investor joint venture proposing the project, the Ministry of Construction stated that, under current regulations, the consideration of investment in the renovation and upgrade of National Highway 51 (phase 2) falls under the authority of the road infrastructure asset management agencies, namely the People's Committee of Dong Nai province and the People's Committee of Ho Chi Minh City.

By Pham Tung – Translated by Mai Nga, Minho