The corporation says the shortest route between Hanoi and Vietnam is 760kms long. This will require the road to cross the common border at either the Thanh Thuy-Nam On or the Bolikhamsai-Nam Phao crossings. Transport Ministry officials from the two nations are expected to hold additional talks over the coming weeks to work out details of the project.
Santisouk Simmalavong is the permanent secretary at the Lao ministry. He told reporters in Vientiane that the feasibility study needed to determine whether to revamp current roads to international standards or just build a new one altogether. He said other factors that needed to be taken into consideration were how to raise the necessary funds to build the road and the specific responsibilities both countries would be assigned.
There are currently daily buses between the two cities which take upwards of 20 hours to complete the journey. Travel agents in Vientiane say an improved road could help slash travel times.
Proposed Hanoi Vientiane highway to speed up bus travel
News in Asia
Vietnamese and Lao government transport officials are holding preliminary talks about building a highway to link the two nations’ capital cities. The Transportation Design Consultancy Corporation of Vietnam has already carried out an initial study focusing on the route and possible usage figures.