Vietnam to roll out ETC tolling on 13 North–South expressway sections

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Japanese Consul General recalls The Saigon Times’ value since the 1990s

Japanese Consul General recalls The Saigon Times’ value since the 1990s

In the news June 25, 2026

“I first began reading The Saigon Times during my earlier posting at the Consulate-General of Japan in Ho Chi Minh City, from 1994 to 1998. Those were exciting times, with Vietnam opening up under the Doi Moi reforms and many Japanese companies were establishing their presence in southern Vietnam. As an officer responsible for economic affairs at the Consulate-General in those days, I found the up-to-date information The Saigon Times provided on Vietnam’s economy truly invaluable — and I am sure the Japanese business community here shared that sentiment.

HCMC – The Ministry of Construction has approved toll rates and a collection plan for 13 sections of the eastern North–South Expressway built with state funding during the 2021–2025 period.
The proposed toll rates range from VND900 to VND1,300 per kilometer and will be calculated based on the actual distance traveled by vehicles. The tolls will be collected exclusively through the electronic toll collection (ETC) system to help recover state investment capital and fund road maintenance. The 13 expressway sections slated for toll collection are Hoa Lien–Tuy Loan, Bai Vot–Ham Nghi, Ham Nghi–Vung Ang, Vung Ang–Bung, Bung–Van Ninh, Van Ninh–Cam Lo, Quang Ngai–Hoai Nhon, Hoai Nhon–Quy Nhon, Quy Nhon–Chi Thanh, Chi Thanh–Van Phong, Van Phong–Nha Trang, Can Tho–Hau Giang, and Hau Giang–Ca Mau. The ministry has assigned the Department for Roads of Vietnam to publicly disclose regulations on toll rates, collection methods, eligible payers, exemptions and reductions, and to organize toll collection in accordance with current regulations. The expansion of toll collection follows a review of the pilot operation of ETC systems on state-funded expressways. On March 2, the department began collecting tolls on five expressway sections developed during the 2017–2020 period, including Mai Son–National Highway 45, National Highway 45–Nghi Son, Nghi Son–Dien Chau, Vinh Hao–Phan Thiet, and Phan Thiet–Dau Giay. The introduction of a nationwide tolling framework for publicly funded expressway projects reflects a broader effort to create a sustainable financing mechanism for transport infrastructure. Following the rapid expansion of the expressway network in 2021–2025, funding requirements for operation, maintenance and upkeep have increased significantly, making toll revenue an important source of capital for future reinvestment. From a technology perspective, the full adoption of ETC is expected to improve traffic flow, reduce congestion at key gateways and support the country’s digital transformation agenda. During the first three months of toll collection on the initial five expressway sections, from March 2 to May 31, the ETC system processed more than 9.7 million vehicle trips and generated over VND944 billion in revenue for the state budget, while improving transparency and creating a digital database to support smart traffic management.

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Japanese Consul General recalls The Saigon Times’ value since the 1990s

Japanese Consul General recalls The Saigon Times’ value since the 1990s

In the news June 25, 2026

“I first began reading The Saigon Times during my earlier posting at the Consulate-General of Japan in Ho Chi Minh City, from 1994 to 1998. Those were exciting times, with Vietnam opening up under the Doi Moi reforms and many Japanese companies were establishing their presence in southern Vietnam. As an officer responsible for economic affairs at the Consulate-General in those days, I found the up-to-date information The Saigon Times provided on Vietnam’s economy truly invaluable — and I am sure the Japanese business community here shared that sentiment.