New 176-km expressway in northern Vietnam has no gas stations or rest stops

A section of Van Don-Mong Cai Expressway in Quang Ninh Province. Photo by VnExpress/Le Tan

A 176-kilometer expressway section from Ha Long Bay to China border gate Mong Cai is set to open to traffic next week, but no gas station or rest stop has been built yet.

VN Express reported that authorities have announced that the Tien Yen - Mong Cai (63.3 km) and Van Don - Tien Yen (16.1 km) sections will open to traffic on September 1, connecting with the Bach Dang - Dai Yen (25 km) and Ha Long - Van Don (71.2 km) sections.

With this, Quang Ninh Province will have the country's longest expressway section, 176 km from Ha Long to Mong Cai, part of the Hai Phong – Ha Long – Van Don – Mong Cai Expressway linking the northern port city of Hai Phong with Quang Ninh.

There are, however, no gas stations or rest stops along the route.

Do Quan from Hanoi said he frequently traveled to Quang Ninh Province for work.

While the express will make it more convenient to travel, there are no gas stations in the new sections as well as the ones that are already in service, the 32-year-old said.

He also pointed out that there were no service stations along the route, leaving drivers stranded if a problem like a flat tire or engine failure occurs.

Current law requires all road and transportation infrastructure to have pedestrian lanes, parking stations, rest stops, and other works.

There must be one stop along the route outside the roadbed every 15-25 kilometers.

A standard technical service station (capable of supplying petrol and oil, making minor repairs, and stopping cars, with motels, toilets, and restaurants) should be located every 50-60 km.

And every 120-200 kilometers requires a large service station.

Hoang Quang Hai, director of the Quang Ninh Department of Transport, said that the Provincial People's Committee has directed that a service station be built on the expressway.

Soon, the province will auction the work of constructing two stations at either end of Van Don-Mong Cai Expressway, he said.