The groundbreaking ceremony took place simultaneously on both sides of the border.

The Bat Xat - Ba Sa border bridge is a cable-stayed structure with three spans, measuring 230 meters in length and 35.3 meters in width. The bridge's deck is made of prestressed reinforced concrete and will be constructed using a balanced cantilever method combined with a fan-shaped cable-stay system.

The construction cost is shared equally between both countries, with Vietnam investing approximately VND282 billion.

This will be the fourth bridge in the Lao Cai border economic zone, following the Ho Kieu I, Ho Kieu II, and Kim Thanh bridges. The project is expected to be completed before June 2026.

Discussions about the bridge began in 2016, and after extensive efforts by both sides to finalize investment and construction procedures, the project has now officially commenced.

At the ceremony, leaders of Lao Cai province emphasized that the bridge would serve as a crucial infrastructure project for local socio-economic development. In the long run, it is expected to boost trade between Lao Cai, surrounding localities, and China.

Meanwhile, Deputy Minister of Construction Le Anh Tuan highlighted the bridge's strategic role in facilitating transportation, reducing travel distances between the two regions, and providing a major boost to trade, tourism, and cultural exchange between the two countries.

He noted that as soon as the bridge takes shape, it will create numerous economic and investment opportunities while improving the livelihoods of border residents.

This bridge stands as a testament to the commitment of both the Vietnamese and Chinese governments to developing border infrastructure, fostering sustainable growth, and strengthening peace and prosperity in the region, he said.

Long Bien Bridge set for renovation

Hanoi has approved a project to study the renovation of the historic Long Bien Bridge, using a non-refundable FASEP grant through the French Embassy in Vietnam.