
The surface of National Highway 14D in Da Nang City, central Vietnam has deteriorated, with large puddles forming. Photo: Le Trung / Tuoi Tre
Stretching over 70 kilometers through Ben Giang and Nam Giang Communes in Da Nang, the road has suffered extensive damage.
Many sections are completely worn out, with the asphalt peeling off entirely, leaving behind only dirt and gravel.
Large potholes and deep ruts have formed, and during rains, these become water-filled pits, resembling ponds.

A large water-filled pothole on National Highway 14D in Da Nang City, central Vietnam. Photo: Le Trung / Tuoi Tre
Some sections have turned into muddy fields, making it extremely difficult for vehicles to pass.
Heavy trucks, especially those transporting goods from the Nam Giang International Border Gate to ports in Da Nang and Chan May Port in neighboring Hue City, have increasingly used the route, significantly contributing to the road's deterioration.
In particular, a surge in bauxite ore trucks transiting from Laos to Vietnamese seaports via National Highway 14D has worsened the situation.
Hundreds of heavy-duty trucks pass daily, causing more damage to the already fragile road.

The road surface looks like a freshly plowed field. Photo: Le Trung / Tuoi Tre
In A Lieng Village, Ben Giang Commune, many ore trucks are forced to stop and wait due to deeply sunken and waterlogged sections.
Excavators are often needed to temporarily fill in these areas with soil and gravel to allow vehicles to pass.

National Highway 14D in Da Nang City has been dubbed a 'road of misery.' Photo: Le Trung / Tuoi Tre
Dinh Duy Quang, 54, a resident of A Lieng Village, said the road has long been in a state of disrepair. The heavy ore truck traffic has made the damage worse.
The road surface has sunken badly in recent days. Given heavy rains, large water puddles form, making travel extremely difficult for locals.
On sunny days, the dust is unbearable, he said.
“We hope the road will soon be upgraded and repaired to make travel safer and more convenient,” Quang added.

An ambulance struggles to pass through a large waterlogged section of National Highway 14D in Da Nang City, central Vietnam. Photo: Le Trung / Tuoi Tre
Chau Ngoc Vinh, chairman of the Ben Giang Commune People's Committee, confirmed that over 30 kilometers of the road passing through the commune are in serious disrepair, causing hardship for residents.
A project to upgrade the road has been approved, and Da Nang authorities have formed advisory groups to survey the route.
The commune has urged a faster survey and investment process.

The road surface is crumbling. Photo: Le Trung / Tuoi Tre
In June 2025, the then Quang Nam People’s Committee approved the investment policy for the project to upgrade National Highway 14D with a total length of 74.4 kilometers.
The project includes upgrading the road with a nine-meter-wide roadbed, including a seven-meter-wide carriageway and one-meter reinforced shoulders on each side.
Permanent bridges will be built with a nine-meter width, including seven-meter-wide vehicle lanes.
Street lighting systems will be installed in selected segments to improve traffic safety.
The total investment for the project exceeds VND4.5 trillion (US$170.4 million), with implementation scheduled for 2025 to 2027.

The road endures a heavy daily load of ore trucks. Photo: Le Trung / Tuoi Tre
At the end of August, local authorities approved the results of the bidding for a package of surveying, preparing the feasibility study report, developing a building information modeling system, demarcating land clearance markers, and conducting environmental impact assessments.
The package, worth over VND23.5 billion ($891,068), is a fixed-price contract with a 90-day implementation timeline.

Deep depressions in the road prevent trucks from passing. Photo: Le Trung / Tuoi Tre

Excavators are brought in to fill deep potholes with rocks. Photo: Le Trung / Tuoi Tre

The muddy section near the Nam Giang International Border Gate poses major challenges for motorbike riders. Photo: Le Trung / Tuoi Tre

Authorities have placed warning signs asking vehicles to slow down due to damaged road sections. Photo: Le Trung / Tuoi Tre
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