In recent years, Vietnam has witnessed a remarkable transformation in the way it approaches both its physical and cultural infrastructure. From expressways and power lines finishing ahead of schedule to the challenges faced by cherished urban cultural spaces like Đường Sách TPHCM (Ho Chi Minh City Book Street), the country is redefining what it means to build for the future—both in concrete and in community.
Not long ago, stories of delayed or even abandoned infrastructure projects were all too familiar. Take the Bến Lức - Long Thành expressway, for example. Initially scheduled for completion in 2018, it has now been pushed back to 2026, as reported by Tuổi Trẻ. The consequences of such delays ripple through the economy: unfinished bridges force goods to take longer, more expensive routes, while overdue highways keep transportation costs high and limit competitiveness.
Yet, the narrative has begun to shift. In a striking reversal, several major projects have recently crossed the finish line ahead of time. The Rạch Miễu 2 bridge—a cable-stayed structure designed and built by Vietnamese engineers and workers—was completed five months ahead of schedule. On April 30, 2025, several segments of the North-South expressway through Central Vietnam were put into operation, beating their original timelines by six to eight months. And at the end of August 2024, the 500kV Quảng Trạch - Phố Nối transmission line, stretching more than 500 kilometers, began operations after just half a year of construction—a process that used to take three to four years, according to Tuổi Trẻ.
These numbers aren’t just technical milestones. They signal a broader change in how Vietnam organizes, manages, and executes its infrastructure projects. The benefits are immediate and far-reaching: reduced traffic congestion, a boost to investment, and a surge in the development of industry, real estate, and tourism. Perhaps most importantly, these achievements are strengthening the confidence of both Vietnamese citizens and international investors in the country’s investment climate.
What’s driving this new momentum? Behind the scenes, there has been a concerted effort from all levels of management to tackle obstacles head-on, often right at the construction site. Contractors have matured, adopting more scientific methods, modern technologies, and advanced equipment. The mindset has shifted: to speed up progress, you have to innovate—not just in design and construction technology, but in management itself. While these innovations often come at a higher upfront cost, the payoff is clear. As Tuổi Trẻ notes, “the price to pay is not wasteful if the benefits for the nation and society are many times greater.”
However, there’s a crucial caveat. Progress only matters if it goes hand-in-hand with quality. As the article emphasizes, “Quality must be the root; early completion is just the branch.” Rushing to finish a project at the expense of safety or longevity can lead to even greater costs down the line, both in repairs and in reputation. But the evidence from the past few years is encouraging: with the right determination and approach, it’s possible to build quickly without sacrificing quality. This new way of working is helping to put an end to the old, sluggish “build as you go” mentality, paving the way for Vietnam’s economy to accelerate—sustainably.
Yet, infrastructure isn’t just about roads and bridges. Urban cultural spaces are also a vital part of the country’s development, shaping the fabric of daily life and the identity of its cities. Nowhere is this more apparent than at Đường Sách TPHCM, a beloved book street in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City. Since its opening, Đường Sách TPHCM has been recognized as one of the city’s top 10 notable events and, in 2024, as one of 50 must-visit tourism destinations in both Ho Chi Minh City and 13 provinces of the Mekong Delta, according to Sài Gòn Giải Phóng.
But the street is currently facing challenges that threaten its very existence. Since August 1, 2025, the closure of a sidewalk parking lot on Hai Bà Trưng Street—previously used by readers and tourists—has caused a sharp drop in visitor numbers. The lot’s closure came after the landowner expanded their business, leaving Đường Sách without dedicated parking. Temporary solutions have fallen short; nearby lots are often full, and those farther away are simply too inconvenient for most visitors. As a result, attendance at cultural events like book launches, author meet-and-greets, and exhibitions has plummeted to less than half of previous levels.
“We have submitted a petition to the Saigon Ward People’s Committee, hoping to be granted permission for a new parking lot on the Hai Bà Trưng sidewalk, from the corner with Lê Duẩn to the start of the book street—currently the wall of the T41 agency,” said Lê Hoàng, Director of Đường Sách TPHCM, in an interview with Sài Gòn Giải Phóng.
The pressures don’t end there. The nearby Ho Chi Minh City Post Office is advertising for rental space facing the book street. If the project moves forward, key areas of Đường Sách—such as Stage B, the free outdoor reading area, the educational book display, and the children’s playground—could be forced to close.
This isn’t the first time a book street has run into trouble. In Vũng Tàu, a similar venue had to shut its doors in 2023 after five years of operation, largely due to unclear legal frameworks and a lack of investment incentives. As Sài Gòn Giải Phóng reports, the absence of policies supporting cultural investment made it impossible for the project to continue.
The heart of the matter, experts argue, is how society values these cultural spaces. “We need a special mechanism for Đường Sách TPHCM and for book streets nationwide, recognizing them as public cultural spaces—on par with parks, squares, and theaters,” said Dr. Quách Thu Nguyệt, former Director of Trẻ Publishing House and former Deputy Director of Đường Sách TPHCM. “Only then can we treat their function and value appropriately, as models that contribute to raising the intellectual standards of the community.”
Indeed, Đường Sách TPHCM is more than just a business or a tourist spot. It’s a symbol of a modern, civilized city—a place where culture, education, and community meet. It regularly hosts major events like the Tet Book Festival and Vietnam Book and Reading Culture Day, drawing locals and visitors alike.
Vietnam’s recent progress in both physical and cultural infrastructure underscores a broader lesson: sustainable development isn’t just about building faster or bigger—it’s about building better, with an eye to quality, efficiency, and the social good. Whether it’s a bridge finished months ahead of schedule or a book street fighting for its place in the city, the country’s future will be shaped by how well it balances these priorities.
As Vietnam continues to grow, these stories—of innovation, resilience, and the struggle for recognition—will define not just its skyline, but its spirit.
