“Finalizing” Toll Charges on 5 North-South Expressways Backed by State Investment

The Ministry of Construction has recently approved the Project for Operation of Transport Infrastructure Assets on Expressways including Mai Son – National Highway 45, National Highway 45 – Nghi Son, Nghi Son – Dien Chau, Vinh Hao – Phan Thiet, and Phan Thiet – Dau Giay.

As per the Ministry, these five expressways will be operated for a period of seven years, starting from the date of toll collection. The operation method determined is that the asset management agency directly organizes the exploitation of transport infrastructure assets.

The Vietnam Road Administration is assigned to organize toll collection for the above-mentioned expressways after meeting the conditions stipulated in Decree No. 130/2024 of the Government. Along with that, the organization and management of toll collection for the use of expressways are in accordance with the current law.

Vinh Hao – Phan Thiet Expressway is included in this toll collection phase.

The Vietnam Road Administration stated that, according to the Road Law provisions regarding sources of revenue from transport infrastructure assets that must be paid to the State budget, the unit has built a project for the exploitation of transport infrastructure assets on expressways and submitted it to the Ministry of Construction for approval.

Currently, there are 12 expressways owned and directly managed and operated by the State, under the management of the Ministry of Construction.

Based on the progress of the construction of rest stops and the intelligent transportation system, the Vietnam Road Administration proposed toll collection for five expressways: Mai Son – National Highway 45, National Highway 45 – Nghi Son, Nghi Son – Dien Chau, Vinh Hao – Phan Thiet, and Phan Thiet – Dau Giay.

Regarding the toll rates, for the four expressways with four lanes and an intermittent emergency lane, including Mai Son – National Highway 45, National Highway 45 – Nghi Son, Nghi Son – Dien Chau, and Vinh Hao – Phan Thiet, which have not yet fully met the requirements stipulated in the Road Law, the toll rate will be 900 VND/km.

Phan Thiet – Dau Giay Expressway will have a toll rate of 1,300 VND/km

The Phan Thiet – Dau Giay Expressway, which meets all the requirements for toll collection conditions (four-lane expressway with a continuous emergency lane), will have a toll rate of 1,300 VND/km.

For the seven expressways that are not yet eligible for toll collection, including Hanoi – Thai Nguyen, Lao Cai – Kim Thanh, Cao Bo – Mai Son, Cam Lo – La Son, La Son – Tuy Loan, Ho Chi Minh City – Trung Luong, and My Thuan – Can Tho (including My Thuan Bridge 2), the Vietnam Road Administration will conduct further research to establish an exploitation project for the next phase.

In terms of the operation method, the Vietnam Road Administration stated that there are four methods for exploiting transport infrastructure assets, as prescribed: The asset management agency directly organizes the exploitation of transport infrastructure assets; transfer of toll collection rights; lease of exploitation rights; and transfer of exploitation rights with a time limit.

Based on an evaluation of the advantages and disadvantages of each method and to meet the progress of toll collection on expressways invested by the State, the Vietnam Road Administration proposed to exploit expressway assets by the method of direct organization of exploitation by the agency assigned to manage the infrastructure assets.

N.T (ANTĐ)