Vantai24h – Date 12/18/2015 – The national highway 4 is the only route in Vietnam running along Vietnam and China Border and connects northern provinces. Transporting goods on Highway 4 will cross Lang Son, Cao Bang, Ha Giang, Lao Cai, Lai Chau and Son La Province.
National highway 4 has 7 secondary roads. They are 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, 4E, 4G và 4H with the detailed route as follows:
Highway 4A: Đong Đang – Na Sam – That Khe – Đong Khêe– Cao Bằag (118km)
Highway 4B : Lang Son – Loc Binh – Đinh Lap – Mui Chua Port (107km)
Highway 4C : Ha Giang – Yen Minh – Đong Van – Meo Vac – Highway 34 (216km)
Highway 4D : Mưong Khuong – Lao Cai – Sa Pa – Tam Đuong – Pa So (200km)
Highway 4E : Kim Tan (Lao Cai) – Pho Lu - Pac Ngam (46km)
Highway 4G : Son La –Ma River (90km)
Highway 4H : Si Pa Phin - Muong Nhe (Đien Bien) (100km)
Among above 7 highways, there are only highway 4E and 4G which have no connection with other provinces. 4E runs in Lao Cai Province and 4G in Son La Province.
Cao Bang and Lang Son Province have border checkpoints, making it convenient for the development of economy and tourism. These checkpoints act not only as two bridges connecting Vietnam with 6 Chinese provinces but also link ASEAN and China. Therefore, it is essential for the local government to stimulate the progress in traffic and transport. Both of the highway 4A and 4B start from Lang Son Province. In 2015, Lang Son received large investment for upgrade and renovation projects for highways including 4A and 4B.
The project for upgrading and renovating Highway 4A was started in 2015 and is undergoing construction at the moment. Highway 4A is an important route running across northern border ( Ring road 1) and linking with border checkpoints, meaning that it plays an crucial role in the protection for national security. The upgrade of Highway 4A going across Lang Son Province will partly stimulate the economic development not only for Lang Son and Cao Bang Province but also for north-western provinces. This will create convenient conditions for goods transport from Cao Bang, Lang Son, Bac Can Province… to export through Huu Nghi, Tan Thanh, Na Nua Border Checkpoints.
The starting point of Highway 4B is Mui Chua Port (Tien Yen Town, Tien Yen District, Quang Ninh Province). Tien Yen Town has been an important business hub in north western area and was once chosen as the provincial capital of Quang Ninh Province. With the development pace of Quang Ninh Province, Tien Yen Town also sees modern progress. Highway 4B runs from Dinh Lap- Loc Binh- Cao Loc to Lang Son City and goes across towns of Tien Yen, Dinh Lap, Na Duong, Loc Binh, Cao Loc. Up to now, the upgrade project for Km 47 and 48 of Highway 4B in the period of 2012-2015 has completed 90% and expected to finish in 2015.
Highway 4A and 4B go across Cao Bang, Lang Son, Quang Ninh Province so provincial authorities pay careful attention to upgrade and renovation projects for these highways. The main reason is that the construction will bring a new appearance for the traffic system of 3 provinces and help to develop business exchange with other provinces in the country.
