Route Surveys Advance for Laos’ Planned Longest Expressway in Xaysomboun

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Laos is moving ahead with route surveys in Xaysomboun Province for a planned expressway that would become the country’s longest highway, linking Vientiane Capital with the Vietnam border through northeastern Laos.

Phongsavanh Group presented three proposed alignments during a meeting with the Xaysomboun Provincial Department of Public Works and Transport on 6 May.

The company signed an agreement with the Lao government in May 2025 to conduct feasibility studies, route surveys, design planning, and project preparation under a Build-Operate-Transfer model.

All three proposed routes begin through Long Xan district and Anouvong district before branching toward different parts of Xieng Khouang and Houaphanh provinces.

Route 1 runs north through Long Cheng and Phonesavanh before connecting with Route 7 West, covering roughly 207 kilometers. Route 2 cuts through the Nam Ngiep hydropower area before reaching Lat Houang at around 196 kilometers.

Route 3, which authorities currently favor, passes through Khoun district before ending at the Namsoi border checkpoint in Houaphanh Province. At approximately 186 kilometers, it offers the shortest and most direct connection to Vietnam.

Thongprasert Xayalath, Vice Chairman of the Xaysomboun Provincial Administrative Committee, instructed provincial departments to immediately submit transport, mining, agriculture, and industrial data to consulting teams as authorities accelerate the route selection process.

The expressway would begin at the KM 21 intersection on National Road 13 South in Xaythany district, Vientiane Capital, where it would connect with the existing Vientiane–Vang Vieng Expressway completed in 2020.

Authorities expect the highway to strengthen transport links between central and northeastern Laos while improving trade, tourism, and cargo movement with Vietnam.

The project also supports Laos’ broader strategy to expand regional connectivity and develop the country into a land-linked transport hub connecting China, Thailand, Vietnam, and the wider Mekong region.

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