National Route 13 is one of the major projects that Ho Chi Minh City plans to commence on September 2, 2026, coinciding with the National Day celebrations. This expansion is expected to alleviate traffic congestion at the northern gateway of the city. The project involves upgrading and widening National Route 13 from Binh Trieu Bridge to the old boundary of Binh Duong province, with a total length of approximately 5.9 kilometers and an estimated investment of over 20.9 trillion VND.
The project is divided into two components: the first component focuses on compensation, support, and resettlement for the upgrade and expansion of National Route 13, with an investment of over 14.619 trillion VND funded by Ho Chi Minh City's budget according to public investment laws. The second component involves the actual upgrading and widening of the route, requiring an investment of over 6.281 trillion VND through a public-private partnership (PPP) model, specifically a Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) contract.
National Route 13 serves as a major transportation axis at the northern gateway of Ho Chi Minh City, connecting the city with Dong Nai province and the Central Highlands region. Currently, the road's cross-section ranges from 19 to 27 meters, and the traffic density is exceptionally high, especially during peak hours and holidays, leading to widespread and prolonged traffic jams.
The planned expansion will increase the width of National Route 13 to 60 meters, three times its current size, accommodating 10 to 14 lanes of traffic. Approximately 3.5 kilometers of the route from Binh Trieu Intersection to Binh Phuoc will feature an elevated road (overpass) with four lanes, flanked by parallel roads, ensuring a total operational width of 10 to 14 lanes. The overpass is designed for a speed of 80 km/h, while the parallel roads will allow for speeds of 60 km/h.
The project will also include ten intersections, with the largest being at Binh Loi and Binh Phuoc, where underpasses will be constructed to minimize traffic conflicts. These underpasses will be bi-directional, with two lanes in each direction, creating a three-tiered intersection that will facilitate smoother traffic flow. Besides these major intersections, the remaining eight will be organized at-grade, and the elevated road will help reduce crossing conflicts, allowing for faster travel along the main route.
Furthermore, two bridges, Duc Nho and Ong Dau, on National Route 13 will also be expanded to synchronize the infrastructure. The project will implement an intelligent traffic management system and a non-stop toll collection system to avoid vehicle congestion. Additionally, three pedestrian bridges will be constructed to enhance safety for pedestrians.
