Vietnam opens key North - South expressway sections through Gia Lai ahead of holiday surge

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Sections of Vietnam’s eastern North-South Expressway running through Gia Lai province officially opened to traffic on April 29, easing congestion on National Highway 1 and significantly reducing travel times during the Reunification Day and Labour Day holidays.

The newly operational segments include the Hoai Nhon-Quy Nhon subproject and part of the Quy Nhon–Chi Thanh section. Approved by national authorities, the route began service at 11:30 a.m., with thousands of vehicles using it daily and traffic volumes rising sharply over the holiday period.

Despite some unfinished components such as toll stations and operations centres, officials confirmed the main route meets safety and operational standards. The nearly 100-kilometre stretch features seven interchanges, improving connectivity with key local and national roads and supporting regional economic development.

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Vehicles traveling on the eastern North–South Expressway, Hoai Nhon – Quy Nhon section. Photo: H.Y

Authorities deployed coordinated forces, including traffic police and emergency services, to ensure safe operations. Vehicles are required to maintain speeds between 60 and 90 km/h, placing greater emphasis on driver attentiveness and vehicle control.

However, early operations exposed challenges. Several vehicles reported tyre failures, attributed to unfamiliar road conditions and inadequate pre-trip checks. The absence of continuous emergency stopping lanes further increases safety risks, with only designated technical stops available.

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Vehicles traveling on the eastern North–South Expressway, Quy Nhon – Chi Thanh section. Photo: H.Y

Only designated technical stops available.

For residents and businesses, the benefits are immediate. Travel time between Tuy Phuoc and Hoai Nhon has been cut by roughly half, while smoother transport is expected to lower logistics costs and improve mobility.

Authorities urge drivers to inspect vehicles thoroughly, comply with speed regulations, and maintain safe distances, as enforcement teams continue 24/7 patrols to ensure safety on the new expressway.

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