Strengthening Hai Phong-Bac Ninh linkages

New bridges open up new connections

Work is proceeding at a brisk pace at the construction site of Kenh Vang Bridge and its approaches. After completing major components, the contractor continues to mobilize personnel and machinery and organize multiple construction teams with a determination to complete the project on schedule.

The project has a total investment of nearly VND 2.2 trillion and a total length of more than 13 km. Of this, the bridge is 743 m long and 23.5 m wide, and its approaches are more than 12.65 km long. The project plays an important role in strengthening transport connectivity between Hai Phong and Bac Ninh, while opening up an additional route between industrial and urban areas and logistics hubs of the two localities.

Previously, in mid-2025, Dong Viet Bridge and its approaches were put into operation, creating a clear improvement in the transport network between Bac Ninh and Hai Phong.

Spanning the Thuong River, the Dong Viet Bridge is more than 811 m long and 23.5 m wide, making it one of the largest cable-stayed bridges in Bac Ninh. The project provides an additional direct connection, helping shorten freight transport routes from Bac Ninh's industrial parks to Hai Phong's seaport system.

Pham Huu Luan, a resident of Phu Thai Commune, said Dong Viet Bridge has made travel much more convenient. Previously, traveling through this area often required taking a long detour and took extra time, especially for cargo trips from Hai Phong to Bac Ninh or vice versa. Since the bridge opening, the route has been shortened, travel has become more flexible, cargo vehicles can move more easily, and transportation costs have been reduced.

Removing bottlenecks to connect interregional routes

The People's Committees of Hai Phong and Bac Ninh have recently agreed on the plan and necessity of renovating and upgrading National Highway 37 to address traffic bottlenecks, ensure coordinated operation, and strengthen connectivity between the two localities.

Accordingly, the Hai Phong People's Committee is studying and preparing to invest in a project to renovate and upgrade the section of National Highway 37 from National Highway 18 to the boundary with Bac Ninh, approximately 11.93 km long, with implementation expected from 2026 to 2028.

On the Bac Ninh side, the Cam Ly Railway Bridge Project at Km24+134 on the Kep - Ha Long railway line has been approved. The project involves the construction of a new bridge and approaches approximately 3.27 km long, designed as a Grade III road in the delta region with two lanes, and is expected to be completed in 2026, helping separate road traffic from railway traffic.

However, there is still a roughly 4-km section of National Highway 37 between the two projects where the road is narrow, only 6-8 m wide, and has not yet been upgraded, creating a bottleneck in the Hai Phong-Bac Ninh connection. To ensure coordinated operation of the entire route, Hai Phong has asked Bac Ninh to add the project to its plans and soon invest in upgrading and widening this approximately 4-km section of National Highway 37 to ensure seamless connectivity.

Notably, Hai Phong's specialized agencies are also finalizing documents to propose the construction of a road connecting Lach Huyen Port with Gia Binh Airport. If built, the road will create an important additional transport corridor linking Hai Phong's logistics center and international seaport with a major aviation hub in the region. This will gradually form a multidirectional connectivity network linking roads, seaports, aviation facilities, and industrial and logistics centers.

As both localities have large economies and play important roles in the region's production and import-export chains, stronger transport connectivity will meet travel and freight transport needs, help shorten the distance between production centers and seaports, improve logistics efficiency, promote supply chain linkages, and expand development space.

HA NGA

HA NGA