Groundbreaking of Ring Road 3: A key opportunity to expand Hue’s urban space

Ring Road 3 (via Nguyen Hoang Bridge) serving as a vital transportation axis for Hue City. Photo by: N. PHONG

A strategic road

Approved in 2023 by the People’s Committee of Thua Thien Hue Province (now the People’s Committee of Hue City), the project is one of the city’s key infrastructure priorities. It has a total investment of over VND 750 billion, with the allocation of VND 500 billion over a four-year period during the first phase. The project will require the clearance of around 43 hectares of residential and agricultural land, primarily in peri-urban wards-areas with strong development potential that have long been underutilized due to inadequate transport connectivity.

Mr. Nguyen Dinh Quyen, Deputy Director of the Hue City Transportation Construction Investment Project Management Board - the project’s investor - said: “The contractor selection process has been completed. Thanh Dat Joint Stock Company has been assigned Package No. 8, which involves constructing the 3.6-kilometer southern section from Bui Thi Xuan intersection to the Minh Mang – Vo Van Kiet intersection. The total value of this package is VND 139 billion, with a planned construction timeline of 730 days.”

The road is designed to modern standards, with a cross-sectional width ranging from 36 to 42 meters, asphalt concrete pavement, central medians, and sidewalks. This scale not only meets current needs but is also forward-looking, supporting Hue’s vision of becoming a modern, sustainable, and well-connected urban area.

Ring Road 3 being part of a series of strategic infrastructure projects

For years, Hue’s peri-urban areas, despite their proximity to the city center, have struggled to attract investment and develop services owing to inadequate transport infrastructure. Ring Road 3 is expected to resolve this persistent bottleneck by unlocking new development corridors in the western and southwestern parts of the city. It will support the emergence of satellite urban zones and provide a foundation for long-term, sustainable growth.

According to Hue City’s adjusted development master plan through 2045, the city will adopt a multi-center urban model, prioritizing expansion to the west and southwest. These areas offer favorable terrain, rapidly growing populations, and abundant land resources. Ring Road 3 is envisioned as the backbone for implementing this strategic orientation.

Easing urban congestion, enhancing livability

One of the key objectives of Ring Road 3 is to reduce traffic flow through the city center, especially along the already overburdened section of National Highway 1A. Once completed, the road will serve as an effective bypass, easing congestion, reducing accidents, and enhancing livability in the downtown area.

Beyond traffic relief, the road will help ease the strain on the city’s technical infrastructure. It will also improve access between western service hubs - such as education, healthcare, and tourism - and the national transport network, facilitating more balanced distribution of resources and opportunities.

The project will require significant land acquisition - around 43 hectares - impacting many households. To ensure progress and secure public consensus, land clearance has been identified as a critical phase. Local wards along the route have proactively developed detailed plans, organized community dialogues, and conducted awareness campaigns to listen and address residents’ concerns in a timely manner.

Mr. Tran Van Hung, a resident of Kim Long Ward, optimistically shared: “We’re very happy to hear that the project will soon begin. It’s not just about smoother traffic - this road will open new economic opportunities for our families, especially in services and trade.”

Authorities have also pledged to protect the rights of the affected residents. Those displaced will be relocated to newly planned zones with complete infrastructure and better living conditions. In addition, the city will provide livelihood transition support to help families stabilize their lives after relocation.

Ring Road 3 is one of the initial components in a strategic infrastructure series aligned with Hue’s vision to become a green, smart, heritage city. Investing in such a modern, future-ready road reflects the city’s strategic foresight and its commitment to a human-centered, harmonious, and modern urban development model.

In the future, as Ring Road 3 is integrated with other ring roads, vertical axes, railways, and regional infrastructure projects, it will become a key component of Hue’s dynamic transport network. This will foster economic development, strengthen regional connectivity, and elevate Hue’s position within central Vietnam.