Authorities in Attapeu province have launched construction of a major cross-border infrastructure project to strengthen transport links with Vietnam and drive economic growth. The initiative involves building a 135 km road from Vanxay to Nongkai Aok villages near the Laos–Vietnam border, alongside a 16 metre bridge across the Xekaman River in Souksavang village. The project, costing USD149 million, is scheduled for completion by September 2028.
Led by DEDO Survey, Design and Build Company Limited with South Korea’s DaSOL Company Limited, the project will be executed under a Build–Operate–Transfer (BOT) model. The developers will operate the road and bridge for 50 years, collecting toll fees before transferring ownership to provincial authorities. The scheme also includes upgrading key routes—Road Nos. 9001, 9065, and 9045—expanding widths from 8 to 12 metres and enhancing structural capacity to meet national highway standards.
Part of Attapeu’s 2025–2030 socio-economic plan, the project aims to boost trade flows, improve access to domestic markets, and expand export capacity for agricultural and natural resources. It is also expected to enhance regional connectivity and tourism, with 10 per cent of the route passing through mountainous terrain and designed to handle axle loads of up to 11 tonnes.