Ho Chi Minh City has set a deadline of July 31, 2026 to complete land clearance for the Highway 13 expansion project, with construction scheduled to begin in early 2027. The project will widen the 6-kilometer stretch from Binh Trieu Bridge to the former Binh Duong boundary to 10-14 lanes at a total investment of over VND 20,000 billion.

For logistics operators and freight carriers across southern Vietnam, the upgrade marks a significant shift in how goods move between the region’s two largest industrial centers.

1. A Bottleneck That Has Long Constrained Freight Movement

Highway 13 carries a high density of container trucks, heavy freight vehicles, and interprovincial coaches, yet the 6-kilometer section from Binh Trieu to Vinh Binh Bridge has experienced severe congestion for years.

The road currently spans only 20 to 30 meters with four to six lanes and multiple overlapping intersections, causing gridlock that worsens significantly during peak hours.

For businesses dependent on timely freight delivery, this directly inflates transport costs and reduces supply chain efficiency across the corridor.

2. Project Scope and Infrastructure Design

The project includes a four-lane elevated viaduct and a parallel service road designed to eliminate chronic congestion at the northeastern gateway of Ho Chi Minh City.

It will be implemented under a public-private partnership BOT model, with the investor collecting tolls to recover costs over a projected period of 18 years and 4 months.

Construction is targeted to begin in January 2027 and reach completion in December 2028, giving businesses a clear timeline to plan around.

3. Impact on Logistics and Supply Chain Connectivity

Highway 13 connects directly to Ring Road 3, Ring Road 4, and the inter-regional expressway network, forming a synchronized transport grid linking Ho Chi Minh City, Binh Duong, and Binh Phuoc.

It also serves as a critical freight corridor from industrial zones to Cat Lai Port and Cai Mep-Thi Vai Port, directly supporting logistics and import-export operations

With dedicated lanes for heavy vehicles upon completion, transit time and cost predictability for cargo operators will improve substantially along this corridor.

4. Strengthening the Regional Supply Chain

The upgrade of the Ho Chi Minh City section will create continuity with the 15-kilometer stretch currently under development in the adjacent former Binh Duong area, forming a seamless freight artery connecting the industrial heartland of the Southeast region to primary port infrastructure.

Highway 13 also opens a transport corridor for freight moving to the Central Highlands and across the border to Cambodia, adding strategic value for logistics providers operating across the Greater Mekong Subregion.

With construction running from January 2027 through December 2028, logistics operators using this corridor should plan for potential disruptions during the build period.

Route adjustments and contingency scheduling along alternative corridors will be essential for businesses relying on Highway 13 for regular freight movements.

Once complete, the expanded highway will deliver a more efficient freight corridor and reduce the cost burden of congestion on supply chain operations across southern Vietnam.

Source: Laodong

26/05/2026