On December 14, 2023, the Railway Project Management Unit (PMU-RAIL) revealed the contractor for construction package XL01: Building 2 railway tunnels as part of the Khe Net Pass Rehabilitation Project on the Hanoi - Ho Chi Minh City railway line. The selected contractor is the IlSung - DEOCA Joint Venture.
The project is funded by ODA capital. Package XL01 is in the Huong Hoa and Kim Hoa communes, Tuyen Hoa district, Quang Binh province. Specifically, Tunnel 1 has a length of 620m and is anticipated to be completed within 23 months, while Tunnel 2 spans 393m and is expected to be constructed in 13.5 months. Both tunnels have a width of 10m and are designed following level I railway tunnel standards.
By constructing mountain tunnels, the route of the railway is adjusted to enhance speed, shorten travel time, improve railway infrastructure, and ensure safe and smooth traffic on the Hanoi - Ho Chi Minh City railway. This aligns with the approved Master Plan for Vietnam Railway Transport Development (2020-2030 vision) and Vietnam Railway Transport Development Strategy (2020-2050 vision) by the Prime Minister.
It is known that the IlSung - DEOCA joint venture has surpassed 02 other joint ventures to win this package.
IlSung, a Korean enterprise, has built major highways and tunnels in Korea such as Yeoju - Yangpyong Highway No. 45, the Sinlim Line light railway. In Vietnam, IlSung participated in the XL-04 bidding package, financed by EDCF, for renovating weak and connecting bridges on national highways (Phase I).
DEOCA successfully won the bid to be the investor of the Cam Lam - Vinh Hao expressway project with a winning bid price of 8,925 billion VND, reducing almost 1,000 billion VND from the state budget capital. The project is currently in its final stage and will open to traffic on April 30, 2024.
DEOCA Group, as the Investor of the Dong Dang - Tra Linh expressway, has implemented various initiatives to minimize the total investment and secure capital through the PPP+ method. Additionally, as the general contractor for the Quang Ngai - Hoai Nhon expressway project, DEOCA has upgraded tunnel construction technology to accelerate progress, cut expenses, and adopt eco-friendly methods to conserve water.
Lately, DEOCA has actively collaborated with universities, vocational colleges, and international partners to conduct training programs and cultivate skilled personnel for railway and metro projects. Securing the bid for this project is a significant milestone for DEOCA, ensuring its foothold in the market and capturing a larger share in railway undertakings.