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| The city invests in synchronized transportation and urban infrastructure to create socio-economic development momentum. Photo: Doan Thanh |
Infrastructure highlights
One of the projects that residents, local authorities, and businesses in the mountainous areas of A Luoi and Phong Dien are most eagerly awaiting is the early implementation of investment procedures to upgrade and renovate National Highway 49F, the section from Ho Chi Minh Road to Hong Van border gate. This is a key transportation route that not only serves the transport of goods from neighboring Laos to seaports but also enhances the effectiveness of the city's industrial zones and border gate economic zones, and develops trade, service, and tourism activities between the two countries, while strengthening national defense and security.
National Highway 49F is currently the shortest route connecting Hong Van border gate to Phong Dien seaport and Hue city, approximately 100km long. Of this, the initial 17km section from National Highway 1A to Phong Dien port has been invested in by the city and put into operation since September 2025. The final section from Ho Chi Minh Road to Hong Van border gate, about 13km long, has been upgraded and expanded by the Ministry of Construction and is expected to be completed in 2026. The remaining 70km middle section, from National Highway 1A to Ho Chi Minh Road, with a total investment of about 5,500 billion VND, is currently implementing the procedures and balancing the resource for investment.
Besides National Highway 49F, many key transportation routes have been launched and are currently under construction, such as the expansion of the La Son - Hoa Lien expressway to 4 lanes. Mr. Tran Duc Hiep, Director of the La Son - Hoa Lien Project Management Board (under the Ho Chi Minh Road Project Management Board), said that the project to expand the North-South Eastern Expressway’s La Son - Hoa Lien section passing through Hue City territory has reached approximately 55% completion. Contractors are mobilizing maximum manpower and equipment, taking advantage of favorable weather conditions to accelerate construction progress on site to meet the signed contract schedule.
According to the Department of Construction, the city has been implementing many key projects. It plans to gradually complete the internal and external transportation systems, creating seamless connectivity between the central urban area and peripheral regions. The urban infrastructure and transportation system has undergone fundamental changes in recent times, well meeting the needs of residents and businesses.
External transportation system investment projects managed by the locality, routes connecting the central urban area and satellite towns are currently progressing well, ensuring the set requirements. The coastal road project and Thuan An overpass bridge completed the bridge connection in April 2025. Relevant units are now accelerating site clearance for the bridge approach road. The Nguyen Hoang street and the Huong River overpass bridge project has technically opened Nguyen Hoang bridge for use and continues site clearance for Nguyen Hoang street.
Additionally, the city is accelerating site clearance and implementing projects for the extension of To Huu street to Phu Bai airport and Belt Road No. 3. In 2025, the following projects will be completed: Phong Dien - Dien Loc rescue road, Provincial Road 15 upgrade, former Phu Da urban infrastructure, Type II urban development program (green urbans), completion of procedures for Binh Thanh bridge and bridge across Tam Giang lagoon connecting Phu Da - Phu Vinh communes...
The Department of Construction added that the city continues to urge and monitor the progress of commercial infrastructure investment projects to meet the shopping needs of residents and tourists. Many key projects have been implemented and put into operation. Aeon Mall Hue has been completed and is operating stably. The city is continuing the implementation of the Trade and Service Center project in the old Tu Ha ward. The Menas Zone Vy Da service-commercial complex is being developed following the “commerce-entertainment-cuisine” model. Investment in the Hue Times Square service-commercial complex on Le Loi street is being researched.
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| National Highway 1A - the southern gateway to the city’s central area has been renovated and upgraded. Photo: Doan Thanh |
Decentralization and empowerment of management
In the 11th Session of the 8th Hue City People's Council (term 2021-2026) on December 8th and 9th, the Urban Board presented a review report covering urban task implementation in 2025 and proposed tasks and solutions for 2026. The Board recommended that city authorities promptly address difficulties and obstacles in the urban sector. Accordingly, the two-tier local government has been operating for more than 5 months, but some areas have not yet issued regulations on decentralization and empowerment in state management, leading to confusion among units and localities in implementation.
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| The North-South Eastern Expressway expansion project's La Son - Hoa Lien section, passing through Hue City, is under construction |
The Urban Board also requested the City People’s Committee to direct relevant sectors to study adjustments to the urban development program and urban classification plan in line with the two-tier local government model. Authorities should focus on reviewing and urgently issuing regulations on decentralization and delegation of authority in state management of architecture and urban infrastructure, especially in transportation, street lighting, and greenery. They should also promptly issue regulations on urban architectural management and on the investment, management, and operation of street lighting systems. Additionally, the appraisal process for construction investment feasibility studies and technical-economic reports should be decentralized.
Currently, newly formed commune-level administrative units following the reorganization lack unified planning for management. Some planning from the former communes and wards is no longer appropriate. Therefore, the City People’s Council requested that the City People’s Committee focus on directing units and localities to develop integrated planning for commune-level administrative units. This planning should be based on inheriting the approved plans of former communes and wards while adjusting the content that is no longer suitable. Additionally, the City People’s Committee needs to focus on mobilizing, allocating, and utilizing resources as effectively as possible to invest in building and developing a synchronized, modern economic and technical infrastructure system, especially the urban transportation system and inter-regional connectivity. This infrastructure should generate momentum and spillover effects while creating new development opportunities, thereby contributing to the promotion of the city’s sustainable socio-economic development.
The city should fast-track the implementation of its Plan No. 374/KH-UBND dated September 5, 2025, on organizing urban and rural planning for the 2025-2030 period. Boundary markers should be placed systematically in accordance with the planning. Resources should be prioritized for the comprehensive development of general planning for newly reorganized communes following administrative restructuring. The coverage of sub-area planning and detailed planning should be increased to create favorable conditions for investment promotion while advancing digital transformation and information technology application.