Vietnam’s Lam Dong province is accelerating land clearance for two expressway projects spanning nearly 140 km, after progress fell behind schedule.

The Tan Phu-Bao Loc and Bao Loc-Lien Khuong expressways are key links between Ho Chi Minh City and the Central Highlands. They are part of the Dau Giay-Lien Khuong corridor.

At an October 2 meeting, officials reviewed the slow progress. About VND 1,103.4 billion of the allocated VND 1,798 billion has been disbursed, or nearly 62 per cent.

Local authorities admitted coordination has been weaker than expected. Some contractors have not started work even where land has been handed over.

The province proposed reallocating about VND 490 billion of undisbursed funds to National Highways 27, 28 and 55, which are in poor condition and have suffered landslides.

Provincial leaders ordered compulsory land acquisition where repeated persuasion fails. Underperforming contractors face contract termination.

Once complete, the expressways will cut travel time from Ho Chi Minh City to Lam Dong from six hours to three.