Ben Luc – Long Thanh Expressway Fully Opens to Traffic

Ben Luc – Long Thanh Expressway Fully Opens to Traffic

The Ben Luc – Long Thanh Expressway officially opened along its entire route at midnight on October 1, establishing a more direct transport connection between Vietnam’s southwestern and southeastern regions.

Stretching nearly 58 kilometers, the expressway runs through Tay Ninh, Ho Chi Minh City and Dong Nai. The route is designed with four motor vehicle lanes and two emergency stopping lanes, forming an important part of the regional transport network around Ho Chi Minh City.

The expressway begins at the My Yen Interchange, connecting with the Ho Chi Minh City – Trung Luong Expressway and providing access toward Ho Chi Minh City and the Mekong Delta. Along the route, several major interchanges connect the expressway with key urban areas, industrial zones, ports and arterial roads in the southern part of the city.

Among them, the interchange at Nguyen Van Tao provides access to the southern urban area of Ho Chi Minh City, Hiep Phuoc Port and Long Hau. Further east, the Phuoc An Interchange connects the route with Nhon Trach, Phuoc An Port and surrounding transport corridors. At the eastern end, the expressway links to National Highway 51, providing access toward Dong Nai and Ba Ria – Vung Tau.

Vehicles traveling on the mainline are generally permitted to operate at speeds of up to 90 km/h, while the minimum speed is 60 km/h. Lower speed limits apply at certain bridges, interchanges and other designated sections in accordance with road signs and traffic regulations.

Shorter travel times between the western and eastern regions

The full opening of the Ben Luc – Long Thanh Expressway is expected to significantly improve travel between the western and eastern sides of the southern economic region.

Under normal traffic conditions, the nearly 58-kilometer journey can take approximately 40–45 minutes when traveling at an average speed of 80–90 km/h. This can substantially reduce travel time compared with routes that previously required vehicles to pass through congested urban roads in Ho Chi Minh City.

The expressway is also expected to provide an additional route for freight transportation, connecting the Mekong Delta with industrial areas, seaports and major transport hubs in the southern region.

Strengthening regional connectivity

The completion of the entire route represents an important addition to the transportation network surrounding Ho Chi Minh City. By linking the western gateway at My Yen with the eastern transport corridor toward National Highway 51, the expressway creates a more continuous east–west connection across the southern region.

The route is particularly significant for logistics and freight transportation, as it provides an alternative to heavily congested urban roads and improves access to major industrial and port areas.

Toll collection on the expressway is carried out through an electronic toll collection system (ETC), with charges calculated according to vehicle type and the actual distance traveled.

With the entire Ben Luc – Long Thanh Expressway now in operation, connectivity between the Mekong Delta, Ho Chi Minh City and the southeastern economic region is expected to become more efficient, while creating further opportunities for the development of logistics, industrial and urban infrastructure along the corridor.