Surveys underway on Vientiane-Hanoi highway route
Surveys are underway to identify possible routes for the Vientiane-Hanoi highway, which could pass through up to three Lao provinces to link the two capitals but the route has yet to be determined. Laos and Vietnam have being conducting preliminary surveys of three possible routes in the provinces of Huaphan, Xieng Khuang and Borikhamxay. Governor of Xamtay district in Huaphan province, Mr Hinthong Luangchansouk said on November 16 that the road from Xamtay to Kuan district could form part of the Vientiane-Hanoi highway section. A Huaphan provincial authority, who did not wish to be named, told Vientiane Times on November 17 that it is as yet unknown as to whether Huaphan will be selected for a part of this route or not. Former Minister of Public Works and Transport, Mr Sommad Pholsena said he would propose that the highway linking to Hanoi from Vientiane could pass through the province of Huaphan. However we also don’t know whether the route will have to pass through Huaphan or XiengKhuang or Borikhamxay after handing over the position to the new Minister of Public Works and Transport, he said.
