After years of anticipation, two major infrastructure projects—one in Vietnam and the other in the Czech Republic—are making headlines for their scale, ambition, and the sheer complexity of their execution. Both projects, though separated by thousands of kilometers and rooted in different cultures and histories, underscore the transformative power of modern engineering and the challenges that come with it.
In Hanoi, Vietnam, the Tứ Liên Bridge project is beginning to take shape over the Red River. According to Cafef, after seven months of construction, the first visible structures have emerged on the site, giving residents a glimpse of what is poised to become a new symbol of the capital. The bridge, which sits between the well-known Nhật Tân and Long Biên bridges, connects Tây Hồ ward and Đông Anh commune. With a staggering total investment of nearly 20,000 billion VND, the project is not just a feat of engineering but also a statement of intent for Hanoi’s future.
The Tứ Liên Bridge, together with its two approach roads, is classified as a Group A project. Its starting point links with Nghi Tàm road in Tây Hồ, stretching across the Red River to conclude at the intersection with Trường Sa road in Đông Anh. The vision is grand: a unique and modern design that aims to not only ease traffic congestion but also to spur economic development and improve the quality of life for Hanoi’s citizens. As Cafef notes, "The Tứ Liên Bridge project is not only a traffic work but also a new symbol of the capital, with a unique and modern design."
Yet, the journey has not been without hurdles. The project is currently about four months behind its original schedule. Despite this setback, there’s a palpable sense of urgency at the construction site. Contractors have responded by mobilizing hundreds of workers and additional machinery to make up for lost time. Images from the site show a hive of activity, with workers drilling piles—a critical phase expected to be completed by the end of 2025. This progress is essential for the timely construction of the bridge’s main piers in 2026.
“Currently, the project is delayed about 4 months compared to the planned schedule, but the contractor has mobilized additional manpower and machinery to compensate for the lost construction time,” Cafef reports. The determination to get back on track is evident, with the project expected to reach completion in 2027. If achieved, the Tứ Liên Bridge will stand as a testament to Hanoi’s aspirations, helping to reduce chronic traffic jams and fostering economic opportunities on both sides of the river.
But Vietnam’s infrastructure ambitions don’t stop at bridges. In December 2025, the country celebrated the opening of two new hospitals with a combined investment exceeding 9,980 billion VND. November brought updates on a massive industrial park project worth more than 4,139 billion VND, covering nearly 295 hectares and affecting 1,348 households. Meanwhile, work continues on the country’s largest gas pipeline, signaling a broader push for modernization and economic growth.
Thousands of kilometers away, the Czech Republic is celebrating a different kind of milestone—the completion of its oldest and longest highway, the D1. As reported by ČT24, the final 10.1-kilometer stretch between Říkovice and Přerov was inaugurated after years of planning, disputes, and construction challenges. This section, which began in January 2023 and cost nearly 7 billion CZK, was delivered almost three months ahead of schedule—a rare feat in large-scale infrastructure projects.
The opening of this last segment is more than just a ribbon-cutting moment. It marks the culmination of decades of ambition and struggle. The D1 highway, which now stretches 376 kilometers, not only relieves traffic congestion in Přerov—where truck traffic is expected to drop by up to 70%—but also embodies the Czech Republic’s postwar and post-communist evolution. “The completion of the final section of D1 is a major success despite facing dozens of lawsuits and opposition from many associations, resolved by authorities and courts,” notes ČT24.
The story of the D1 is a saga of perseverance. The initial plan for the highway dates back to November 4, 1938, with the aim of connecting Prague to Podkarpatská Rus. Construction began on May 2, 1939, but was soon interrupted by the outbreak of World War II. The years that followed saw intermittent progress, with work resuming briefly after the war, halting again in 1950, and finally restarting in earnest in 1967. The highway’s first section—between Prague and Mirošovice—opened on July 12, 1971, and remains the longest continuous segment in the country at 22.6 kilometers.
Over time, the D1’s route has shifted in response to political and geographic changes. The original plan envisioned a connection all the way to Slovakia and beyond, but the dissolution of Czechoslovakia led to a new terminus at Lipník nad Bečvou. The integration of the D47 extension further cemented D1’s status as the backbone of Czech motorways, now reaching all the way to the Polish border.
Building the D1 has never been easy. The final stretch faced dozens of lawsuits and fierce opposition from local associations, requiring intervention from both authorities and the courts. Engineers had to demolish homes along the planned route, negotiating with property owners in a process described as "complex." Yet, despite these obstacles, the Czech Road and Motorway Directorate pressed on, determined to bring the project to fruition. The result is a modernized highway that, while still notorious for heavy and sometimes dangerous traffic, stands as a symbol of national resilience and progress.
Both the Tứ Liên Bridge and the D1 highway serve as reminders that infrastructure is about more than concrete and steel—it’s about connecting people, shaping economies, and reflecting the ambitions of a nation. Whether it’s the buzz of hundreds of workers on the banks of the Red River or the triumphant completion of a highway decades in the making, these projects capture the imagination and stir a sense of possibility.
As Hanoi looks forward to the completion of its new bridge and the Czech Republic celebrates the end of a long journey, the real impact will be felt in the everyday lives of commuters, families, and businesses. For now, the cranes, drills, and bulldozers remain, but soon enough, these structures will become fixtures of the landscape—silent witnesses to the determination and vision that brought them into being.
