Central Vietnam city proposes $245 mln investment in two port terminals

Hue city authorities are seeking in-principle approval for investment in two terminals at the Phong Dien port area, with total capital of VND6.45 trillion ($244.74 million).

Terminal 1 in Phong Phu ward will cost VND1.95 trillion ($74 million) in two phases, according to the city’s proposal to the Ministry of Construction.

Phase 1, planned for 2026-2030, will construct berths 1 and 2 with a combined length of 340 meters. The berths are capable of accommodating vessels ranging from 5,000 to 50,000 tons and offering an annual throughput of about 2 million tons.

Phase 2 will add berths 3 and 4 (560 meters), designed to handle ships between 10,000 and 50,000 tons and have a capacity of roughly 5.4 million tons per year.

Terminal 2, also located in Phong Phu ward, will require VND4.5 trillion ($170.55 million) and be executed in two phases.

Phase 1 will build berths 1 through 4 spanning 820 meters to receive vessels from 10,000 to 50,000 tons. Designed annual throughput is around 5.16 million tons.

Phase 2 will expand the terminal with berths 5 to 8 (950 meters), accommodating ships up to 50,000 tons and offering a total annual capacity of approximately 10.32 million tons.

The Phong Dien port area has been approved by the Prime Minister as part of the national seaport system development plan for 2021-2030, with a vision toward 2050.

Under the city’s seaport development and investment plan, it is projected to expand to 8-12 berths by 2030, with a total quay length of 1,250-2,620 meters and throughput capacity ranging from 6 million to 11 million tons.

The area is drawing investor attention, including a consortium of Stavian VP, VP Silica JSC, and My Thuy International Port JVC, and PTS Far East Investment JSC, which have submitted applications for investment in projects there.

Upgrading highway linking Phong Dien to Laos border

National Highway 49F, a key route connecting Phong Dien to the Hong Van Border Gate bordering Laos, consists of three sections.

The first, stretching 17 kilometers from National Highway 1A to the Phong Dien port area, was upgraded with an investment of over VND750 billion ($28.45 million) and put into operation in September this year.

The 13-km segment from the Ho Chi Minh Road to the Hong Van Border Gate has been upgraded and expanded by the Ministry of Construction and is expected to be completed in 2026.

The remaining 70 km stretch, from National Highway 1A to Ho Chi Minh Road, with a total investment of around VND5.5 trillion ($208.68 million), has yet to be funded due to limited financial resources.

National Highway 49F is the shortest route connecting Phong Dien to the Hong Van Border Gate, local authorities said.

The highway plays a key role in boosting Hue’s capacity to transport minerals such as coal and bauxite from Phong Dien, as well as Chan May and Thuan An ports to the border gate.

At a recent meeting with Standing Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Hoa Binh, Hue authorities proposed the government allocate around VND5.5 trillion from the central budget to expedite the project.

National Highway 49F is set to become a key link in the East-West Economic Corridor, connecting Hue with Savannakhet in Laos, Thailand, and Myanmar. The route will help Hue expand westward, moving beyond tourism and services to boost logistics, industry, and cross-border trade.