Vietnam’s largest mountainous pass tunnel opens to traffic
Vietnam’s biggest motorway tunnel in the central region opened to traffic June 5 after nearly five years of construction, with total investment capital of US$127.9 million, local authorities announced.
In attendance at the inauguration were Vietnamese Prime Minister Phan Van Khai and Japanese Ambassador to Vietnam Norio Hattori as well as high-ranking Government officials.
The Japanese government provided official development assistance (ODA) capital to the project which was also partly funded by the Vietnamese government.
The tunnel – which traverses the Hai Van Mountain Pass – is 15.1 kilometers long and links Thua Thien-Hue Province in the north and Danang city in the south.
As one of the world’s 30 largest road tunnels, the Hai Van tunnel will shortens the time needed to go through the mountainous pass to only 10 minutes from alomost an hour.
Furthermore, traffic accidents are expected to decrease when the tunnel is available as the original 22-kilometer Hai Van Pass is winding and dangerous for drivers.
New opportunities open
“With the tunnel in place, the central region will draw new attention for local and foreign investors,” said the Vietnamese Minister of Communications and Transport.
The tunnel will provide good conditions for socio-economic growth in the region, as the tunnel is the final link of the East-West Corridor, and of great importance towards ASEAN countries and those in the Mekong region, said PM Phan Van Khai.
Mr. Khai asked authorities of Danang and Thua Thien-Hue to proceed with constructions to take advantage of the tunnel.
Specifically, resorts will be built in the north while the southern part will build ports to attract foreign ships since the location provides easy transport and access to Laos and northeastern Thailand.
The Hai Van Tunnel is only available for circulation from 6am to 6pm every day during the first week after the inauguration, before it opens ‘round the clock.
Relevant agencies have yet to announce toll charges for traversing the tunnel.
By Huu Tra - Thanh Nien - June 05, 2005.
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