Vietnam opens longest road tunnel in Southeast Asia to traffic

The Hai Van Tunnel 2 – the longest road tunnel in Southeast Asia – was opened to traffic on January 11 after four years of construction.

Rosy Huong

huongthhd@gmail.com January 12, 2021 | 07:17

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Hai Van Tunnel 2 – the longest road tunnel in Southeast Asia – was opened to traffic on January 11. Photo: VNA

Connecting Thua Thien-Hue province with Da Nan city in central Vietnam, the 6.2km tunnel runs alongside Hai Van Road Tunnel 1 on National Highway 1A as part of Hai Van Pass.

With two lanes, the new seven-metre-wide tunnel is expected to help ease traffic pressure on Hai Van Road Tunnel 1, shorten travelling time and improve the efficiency of goods and passenger transportation.

Hai Van Tunnel 2 runs alongside Hai Van Tunnel 1 on National Highway 1A as part of Hai Van Pass. Photo: Vietnamnet

Its construction began in 2016 and concluded last September - three months ahead of schedule, at a cost of VND 7.2 trillion ($US310.8 million), with Deo Ca Group JSC as the investor.

Engineers were allowed to use explosives just twice a day in certain time frames to not disrupt traffic along Hai Van Tunnel 1, a mere 30 meters away.

With two lanes, the new seven-metre-wide tunnel is expected to help ease traffic pressure on Hai Van Road Tunnel 1. Photo: VnExpress

Deputy Prime Minister Trinh Dinh Dung in his remarks said this was a major, complicated project but the Vietnamese investors and contractors have showcased in full their competence and technical prowess.

Deputy Prime Minister Trinh Dinh Dung speaks at the event. Photo: Vietnamnet

The new tunnel will help spur socio-economic development and ensure national defence and security in the central key economic region, while promoting connectivity and development in the central and Central Highlands regions and the country at large, he said./.

Hai Van Pass is the natural boundary between Thua Thien - Hue province and Da Nang city. Many tourists are impressed by Hai Van Pass’s dazzling panoramic views on the journey to discover the central region of Vietnam.

Hai Van Pass has been the highest mountain pass in Vietnam with a height of 500 meters above the sea level. This rugged pass is the final section of the Truong Son Range stretching to the sea. Whenever exploring Hai Van Pass, travelers will get an unforgettable experience.

The sudden curves and blind corners can create different feelings. Hai Van signifies “Sea Cloud” because the peak of the mountain is in the clouds, whereas its foot is close to the sea. It has the lush jungle on the one side and the sea on the other. The crooked road winding along the mountainside looks like the ribbon like crossing the heaven and earth.

Located on the mountain branch that reaches the sea of Bach Ma range, the pass also forms a climate boundary between northern and southern Vietnam. It may be cold and rainy on one side and hot and dry on the other.

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Rosy Huong