Decision No. 242/QD-TTg Approving the Overall Master Plan for the Ho Chi Minh Road

Pursuant to …;

Regarding the approval of the Master Plan for the Ho Chi Minh Road

______________________

PRIME MINISTER

Pursuant to the Law on Organization of the Government dated December 25, 2001;

Pursuant to Resolution No. 38/2004/QH11 dated December 3, 2004 of the National Assembly, Session 6, Term XI on the policy for investment and construction of the Ho Chi Minh Road;

Considering the proposals of the Minister of Transport in Circulars No. 4309/BGTVT-KHĐT dated July 14, 2005, No. 143/BGTVT-KHĐT dated January 10, 2006, No. 1553/BGTVT-KHĐT dated March 22, 2006, No. 4585/BGTVT-KHĐT dated August 1, 2006, and No. 628/BGTVT-KHĐT dated February 1, 2007.

DECISION:

Article 1. Approve the Master Plan for the Ho Chi Minh Road with the main contents as follows:

1. Scope of planning:

The Ho Chi Minh Road passes through the territories of 30 provinces and cities: Cao Bang, Bac Kan, Thai Nguyen, Tuyen Quang, Phu Tho, Ha Tay, Hoa Binh, Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, Ha Tinh, Quang Binh, Quang Tri, Thua Thien Hue, Da Nang City, Quang Nam, Kon Tum, Gia Lai, Dak Lak, Dak Nong, Binh Phuoc, Ho Chi Minh City, Binh Duong, Tay Ninh, Long An, Dong Thap, An Giang, Can Tho City, Kien Giang, Bac Lieu, and Ca Mau, with a total length of approximately 3,167 kilometers (of which the main route is about 2,667 kilometers long, and the western route is about 500 kilometers long).

2. Route direction:

- Starting point: at Pac Bo - Cao Bang Province.

- Ending point: at Dat Mui - Ca Mau Province.

- Main control points:

+ Main route (2,667 kilometers long) passing through the following points: Pac Bo, Cao Bang city, Bac Kan city, Chau Mieu, Chau Chu, Muong pass, Trung Son junction, Phu Thinh junction, Bien Ca bridge (Lo River), Km124+500 QL2, Phu Ho junction, Phu Tho city, Ngoc Thap bridge (Hong River), Co Tiet, Trung Ha bridge, Son Tay city, Hoa Lac, Xuan Mai, Cho Ben, Xom Kho, Ngoc Lac, Lam La, Tan Ky, Khe Co, Tan Ap, Khe Gat, Bung, Cam Lo, Tu week, Khe Tre, De Bay pass, Mu Trau pass, Tuy Loan, Hoa Khuong, Thanh My, Lo Xo pass, Ngoc Hoi, Kon Tum, Pleiku, Buon Ma Thuot, Gia Nghia, Chon Thanh, Binh Phuoc intersection, Tan Thanh, My An, Cao Lanh city, Cao Lanh bridge (Tien River), Vam Cong bridge (Hau River), Rach Soi, Minh Luong, Go Gao, Vinh Thuan, Ca Mau city, Dam Cuong bridge, Nam Can, Dat Mui.

+ Western branch (500 kilometers long) passing through the following points: Khe Gat, U Bo pass, Teng Ky, Khim bridge, Sen But, Khe Sanh, Dak Rong, Pe Ke pass, Aluoi, Adot, Atep, Hien, Thanh My.

3. Scale and technical standards:

The Ho Chi Minh Road is designed according to the standards for expressways and ordinary roads for automobiles. Specifically, sections passing through towns, market towns, cities, and provincial capitals are designed in accordance with approved local master plans. Detailed cross-sectional dimensions of the planned road are shown in the table below:

Cross-sectional dimensions of the planned road

Note:

The technical standards, design classes, and distances for each section in the above table will be updated and adjusted in accordance with regulations at the time of project development, ensuring long-term sustainability of the project during each phase of investment.

4. Regarding the system of crossroads and auxiliary facilities:

In addition to some crossroads that have been permitted to implement and the turnaround roads that have been carried out from 2000 to the present, to ensure consistency in the network planning and to maximize the effectiveness of the Ho Chi Minh Road investment, the Ministry of Transport shall take the lead, coordinate with relevant ministries, sectors, and People's Committees of provinces and centrally governed cities where the Ho Chi Minh Road passes through, to promptly develop the plan for the crossroad system for submission to the Prime Minister for consideration and approval to serve as the basis for early implementation of investment. Simultaneously, develop the plan for the system of access roads, rest stops, management houses, toll stations (if necessary) along the main route for appropriate investment and construction.

5. Investment Construction Phases:

Based on Resolution No. 38/2004/QH11 dated December 3, 2004 of the National Assembly and in line with current realities, the investment and construction of the Ho Chi Minh Road according to the Master Plan will be divided into three phases:

- Phase 1 (from 2000 to 2007):

Complete the construction with a two-lane scale, including solidification and landslide prevention for the section from Hoa Lac (Ha Tay) to Tan Canh (Kon Tum). Allow some difficult solidification points to complete in 2008.

- Phase 2 (from 2007 to 2010):

Connect the entire route from Pac Po (Cao Bang) to Dat Mui (Ca Mau), specifically investing in the following sections:

+ Do not commence investment in bypass sections of cities and towns in the Central Highlands that have not yet started construction (the bypasses of Kon Tum city, Buon Ma Thuot city, and Gia Nghia town), temporarily using National Highway 14 to connect.

+ Focus on connecting and completing sections such as Pac Po - Cao Bang, Ngoc Thap bridge, Chon Thanh - Duc Hoa, My An - Vam Cong, Ca Mau - Nam Can - Dat Mui (including Dam Cuong bridge), N2 section from Cu Chi - Duc Hoa - Thanh Hoa - My An, and other necessary sections; prioritize completing the Vam Cong and Cao Lanh bridges (which may use funds outside the Ho Chi Minh Road project); for the Nam Can - Dat Mui section, initially only construct the base, and use transitional surfaces after the base stabilizes before continuing completion.

+ Study and invest in upgrading National Highway 80 through An Giang - Kien Giang and National Highway 63 through Kien Giang - Ca Mau, meeting the needs for economic and social development in the Mekong Delta region.

- Phase 3 (from 2010 to 2020):

Complete the entire route and gradually construct sections according to expressway standards in accordance with approved planning and financial capacity, paying attention to connecting with railway system planning, level crossings, and other related planning.

6. Capital requirements and methods for raising capital for construction:

- The estimated total investment for the period from 2000 to 2010 with a two-lane cross-section is VND 41,020 billion (excluding construction costs for the overlapping 436 km already and currently being invested through other projects). The total investment will be accurately determined during the project investment feasibility study phase.

- The total investment for the period from 2010 to 2020 will be prepared and submitted to the National Assembly for consideration and decision before 2010.

- The capital for constructing the Ho Chi Minh Road is expected to be raised from the state budget and other sources of capital. The Ministry of Planning and Investment is tasked with researching and soliciting ODA funds or other sources of capital to invest in the Vam Cong and Cao Lan bridges and National Highway 80, 63 in accordance with the Ho Chi Minh Road planning.

- Annually, the Ministry of Transport will coordinate with relevant ministries and sectors to develop plans for submission to the Prime Minister to allocate capital to implement the project according to the phased investment plan. Based on the capital needs and progress of each phase of the Ho Chi Minh Road, the Ministry of Planning and Investment and the Ministry of Finance will balance sufficient capital to implement the project.

Article 2. Implementation organization:

1. The Ministry of Transport:

- After the overall planning is approved, detailed planning will be immediately implemented, boundary markers for land clearance and road boundaries will be set according to the planned cross-section, funding for this work will be drawn from the Ho Chi Minh Road capital and completed by 2010, handed over to the relevant local authorities for management and organization of land clearance to reserve land for the construction of the Ho Chi Minh Road according to the planning.

- Based on the approved overall planning, taking into account phased investment and financial capacity, determine independent operational component projects, establish the priority order for investment items and component projects, and submit for approval according to current regulations.

2. Relevant ministries, sectors, and People's Committees of provinces and centrally governed cities where the Ho Chi Minh Road passes: when establishing, approving, and implementing general urban planning, economic development planning, industrial raw material region planning, and industrial park planning related to the Ho Chi Minh Road, they must align with the orientation of the overall urban planning along the Ho Chi Minh Road until 2020 approved by the Prime Minister in Decision No. 27/2004/QĐ-TTg dated March 2, 2004, and must also obtain the agreement of the Ministry of Transport. The connection and traffic flow between the systems of roads in export processing zones, industrial parks, and urban areas with the Ho Chi Minh Road must be reviewed and agreed upon by the Ministry of Transport.

3. Relevant ministries and sectors: within their authority and responsibilities, they have the responsibility to coordinate with the Ministry of Transport to resolve issues regarding capital, policies, and mechanisms to facilitate the implementation of the construction of the Ho Chi Minh Road, ensuring schedule, quality, and effectiveness.

4. People's Committees of provinces and centrally governed cities where the Ho Chi Minh Road passes: strictly manage land clearance boundary markers and road boundary markers in the planning that have been determined and handed over by the Ministry of Transport; organize the establishment, approval, and implementation of land management plans reserved specifically for the Ho Chi Minh Road, directly carry out land clearance work, and closely coordinate with the Ministry of Transport during the implementation of the project.

Article 3. This Decision takes effect from the date of signature. This Decision replaces Decision No. 789/QĐ-TTg dated September 24, 1997 of the Prime Minister approving the overall planning of the North-South Expressway.

Article 4. Ministers, heads of ministerial-level agencies, heads of government-affiliated agencies, and Chairmen of People's Committees of provinces and centrally governed cities where the Ho Chi Minh Road passes are responsible for implementing this Decision./.