Can Tho (VNA) – Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on April 21 urged five means of transport – road, air, sea, river, and rail – to be developed so that the Mekong Delta can escape from poverty.

He made the demand while presiding over a meeting held in the Mekong Delta city of Can Tho to look into the progress of key transport projects in the southern region.

Talking to representatives of ministries, agencies, and localities, the PM stressed that as the Mekong Delta still faces two major bottlenecks in transport and human resources, the Party and State have paid heed to while the Government has been taking strong and determined action to address these challenges for the region.

Regarding the Can Tho – Ca Mau Expressway project—the final segment of the eastern wing of the North – South Expressway, he noted difficulties and hindrances have been basically removed, and that the project must be put into use no later than December 19, 2025, contributing to the completion of the expressway route from the northern border province of Cao Bang to the southernmost province of Ca Mau.

According to the Government leader, several other important projects, including Chau Doc – Can Tho – Soc Trang Expressway, Rach Mieu 2 Bridge, Cao Lanh – An Huu Road, Dai Ngai Bridge, Ho Chi Minh Road's sections of Go Quao – Vinh Thuan and Rach Soi – Ben Nhat, and Cao Lanh – Lo Te – Rach Soi Expressway, are also being implemented simultaneously and decisively, helping to reach the target of 600km of expressways in the Mekong Delta by the end of 2025.

He required that the construction progress and quality of projects must be ensured, with no cost overruns, no corruption or wastefulness, hygiene ensured, and the environment restored.

PM Chinh asked ministries, agencies, and local authorities to prepare for the implementation of projects during the next period through 2030, including beginning the construction of the expressway sections from Ca Mau to Dat Mui and from Dat Mui to Hon Khoai Port in Ca Mau this year, and completing an additional 600km of expressways so that by 2030, the Mekong Delta will have at least 1,200km of expressways.

Attention must be also paid to developing a railway route from Ho Chi Minh City to Can Tho while expanding and upgrading airports in Ca Mau, Phu Quoc, and Rach Gia, seaports like Cai Cui, Tran De, and Hon Khoai, along with inland waterway ports to optimise the river transport system, he noted.

The PM emphasised that by developing the five means of transport of road, air, sea, river, and rail, the Mekong Delta can escape from poverty. Therefore, strong determination is required, with each generation making contributions to the task. Additionally, measures must also be taken to address the issues of land subsidence, erosion, and saltwater intrusion in the Mekong Delta.

He request▨ed officials to assess the current status of transport infrastructure development in the Mekong Delta, share good practices, and propose tasks, solutions, mechanisms, and policies for boosting projects in the time ahead./.