Vietnam is undertaking an ambitious infrastructure project by constructing the longest mountain tunnel in the country, which is expected to drastically reduce travel time between Lai Châu and Lào Cai. Currently, the journey through the winding Hoàng Liên Pass takes approximately two hours, but with the completion of this tunnel, it will be shortened to just ten minutes.

The construction of the Hoàng Liên mountain tunnel commenced on December 19, 2025, with drilling operations starting on August 5, 2026. The project is anticipated to be completed by 2027. On September 25, 2026, a delegation led by Lê Minh Ngân, the Secretary of the Lai Châu Provincial Party Committee, conducted a field inspection of the project to assess its progress.

According to reports, the land clearance process in Lai Châu has been completed, with over 414,100 square meters of land acquired. In Lào Cai, approximately 15 hectares of land have been reclaimed for the construction of access roads and related infrastructure. The project has a total investment of around 3.3 trillion VND, with the main tunnel measuring 2.63 kilometers and a secondary tunnel of 2.65 kilometers.

The tunnel is designed to meet the standards of a third-class mountainous road, with a design speed of 60 km/h and a width of 9 meters. It includes a main tunnel with two lanes for two-way traffic and a secondary tunnel for emergency access. The project also features a comprehensive operation center equipped with ventilation, lighting, fire safety, and traffic monitoring systems to ensure safety during operation.

Once completed, the Hoàng Liên tunnel will replace approximately 22 kilometers of treacherous mountain roads, significantly improving traffic flow in the region. The expected travel time between Lai Châu and Sa Pa will be reduced from 50-120 minutes to just 11 minutes. This development is not only crucial for transportation but is also expected to boost tourism, trade, and services in the area.

The Hoàng Liên Pass, also known as Ô Quy Hồ Pass, is renowned for its scenic beauty and is recognized as the longest pass in Vietnam, stretching nearly 50 kilometers. It serves as a natural boundary between Lào Cai and Lai Châu provinces and has been acknowledged as one of the four most famous passes in the country.