Inspectors announced that the slow pace of Vietnam’s longest avenue project
cost the country at least an additional VND1 trillion dong (over $500 million).

The Ministry of Transport approved the project to expand the
Lang-Hoa Lac road in July 2003 at the cost of over VND3.7 trillion dong. The
number was adjusted in October 2007, with total investment capital raised to over
VND7.5 trillion.

Inspectors said that in the preparation phase, related
agencies (Ministry of Construction and the Hanoi People’s Committee) didn’t
obey the Prime Minister’s instructions, resulting in the slow implementation.
Consequently, the investment capital increased by over VND1.38 trillion (over
$500 million) due to price fluctuation.

Thang Long is the first urban expressway that has been
designed and built entirely by local experts and contractors. The road,
measuring 30 km in length and 140 m in width, cost over VND7.5 trillion.

The avenue connects the heart of Hanoi
with satellite urban areas such as Xuan Mai, Mieu Mon and Son Tay, and tourist
attractions including Ba Vi, Suoi Hai, and the Vietnam Ethnic
Cultural Village.

With one end at Ho
Chi Minh National Highway, it also links Hanoi with other
provinces.

In particular, Thang Long Avenue is expected to facilitate
the development of the Lang-Hoa Lac Hi-Tech Park, one of the country’s largest
scientific and technological centers.

According to the city government, the city had to clear more
than 500 hectares of land and relocate over 8,000 families and some state
agencies and organizations along the road.

Neighboring Hoa
Binh Province
has started work on a road connecting to Thang Long Avenue which has 51
overpasses.

PV