The two-lane Hai Van Tunnel 2, which runs parallel to the over 15-year-old parallel Hai Van Tunnel 1, connecting Thua Thien-Hue Province with Da Nang, was inaugurated on Monday after four years of construction.
Now, take a look at the below photos, taken by our reporter Xuan Son to gain a deeper insight into the Hai Van Tunnel 2, the longest of its kind in Southeast Asia.
![Deputy Prime Minister Trinh Dinh Dung, the leaders of the Ministry of Transport and representatives from the Da Nang and Thua Thien-Hue authorities attending the ribbon cutting ceremony for the Hai Van Tunnel 2 on Monday morning](/dataimages/202101/original/images1593686_images1593650__DSF4904.jpg) |
Deputy Prime Minister Trinh Dinh Dung, the leaders of the Ministry of Transport and leaders of governments of Da Nang and Thua Thien-Hue attending the ribbon cutting ceremony for the inauguration of the Hai Van Tunnel 2 on Monday morning |
![The construction of the over 8,500 billion VND project commenced in 2016 following approval by the Ministry of Transport. The 1st stage of the project focused on upgrading the existing main Hai Van Tunnel and a section of the National Highway 1A. The construction work began in April 2016 and finished in August 2017.](/dataimages/202101/original/images1593687_images1593649__DSF4946.jpg) |
The construction of the over 8,500 billion VND project commenced in 2016 following approval by the Ministry of Transport. The 1st stage of the project focused on upgrading the existing main Hai Van Tunnel and a section of the National Highway 1A. The construction work began in April 2016 and finished in August 2017. |
![The 2nd stage of the project involved the expansion of the over 6.2 km-long, emergency tunnel, which lies parallel to the Hai Van Tunnel 1, into a two-lane tunnel; as well as building a new 1.7 km-long stretch of road to Thua Thien-Hue Province’s Lang Co Town, and a four km-long roadway leading to Da Nang.](/dataimages/202101/original/images1593688_images1593651__DSF4899.jpg) |
The 2nd stage of the project involved the expansion of the over 6.2 km-long, emergency tunnel, which lies parallel to the Hai Van Tunnel 1, into a two-lane tunnel; as well as building a new 1.7 km-long stretch of road to Thua Thien-Hue Province’s Lang Co Town, and a four km-long roadway leading to Da Nang. |
![The two-lane Hai Van Tunnel 2, which runs parallel to the over 15-year-old parallel Hai Van Tunnel 1, is the longest of its kind in Southeast Asia for the time being.](/dataimages/202101/original/images1593689_images1593652__DSF4916.jpg) |
The two-lane Hai Van Tunnel 2, which runs parallel to the over 15-year-old parallel Hai Van Tunnel 1, is now the longest of its kind in Southeast Asia. |
![The Hai Van Tunnel 2 is designed for one-way traffic, with two lanes totalling seven metres in width, plus safety strips and sidewalks for pedestrians and maintenance work.](/dataimages/202101/original/images1593690_images1593653__DSF4918.jpg) |
The Hai Van Tunnel 2 is designed for one-way traffic, with two lanes totalling seven metres in width, plus safety strips and sidewalks for pedestrians and maintenance work. |
![The Hai Van Tunnel 2 project also features such auxiliary items of a rescue, fire prevention and fighting systems, a toll station and a technical parking station.](/dataimages/202101/original/images1593691_images1593654__DSF4924.jpg) |
The Hai Van Tunnel 2 project also features such auxiliary items of a rescue, fire prevention and fighting systems, a toll station and a technical parking station. |
![Hai Van Tunnel 2 project is the most difficult project in Viet Nam in terms of engineering and technology solutions. The new tunnel has been developed via the application of the New Austrian Tunnelling Method (NATM), also known as the sequential excavation method, which is a popular method of modern tunnel design and construction. This modern tunnelling technique has been successfully applied in many developed countries across the world because it has more advantages than conventional methods.](/dataimages/202101/original/images1593692_images1593655__DSF4934.jpg) |
The Hai Van Tunnel 2 project is the most difficult project in Viet Nam in terms of engineering and technology solutions. The new tunnel has been developed via the application of the New Austrian Tunnelling Method (NATM), also known as the sequential excavation method, which is a popular method of modern tunnel design and construction. This modern tunnelling technique has been successfully applied in many developed countries across the world because it has more advantages than conventional methods. |
![From 1 February to 21 February, 2021, the two tunnels will open to traffic. However, afterwards, the Hai Van Tunnel 2 will stop operating whilst Hai Van 1 will still operate as normal to meet the high public travel demand at the upcoming Tet festival, until further notice from the national government.](/dataimages/202101/original/images1593693_images1593656__DSF4920.jpg) |
From 1 February to 21 February, 2021, the two tunnels will open to traffic. However, afterwards, the Hai Van Tunnel 2 will stop operating whilst Hai Van 1 will still operate as normal to meet the high public travel demand at the upcoming Tet festival, until further notice from Viet Nam's national government. |
![The construction of this project was facing some obstacles relating to structural adjustment due to geological changes, site clearance work, traffic safety and financial shortage. However, the construction units have gradually removed obstacles to complete the project on schedule. In the picture is a section of the roadway leading to Da Nang under the project](/dataimages/202101/original/images1593695_images1593658__DSF4948.jpg) |
The construction of this project was facing some obstacles relating to structural adjustment due to geological changes, site clearance work, traffic safety and financial shortage. However, the construction units have gradually removed obstacles to complete the project on schedule. In the picture is a section of the roadway leading to Da Nang under the project |
![Addressing the inauguration ceremony of the Hai Van Tunnel 2, Deputy Prime Minister Trinh Dinh Dung emphasised that this is a large project marking a remarkable progress in Viet Nam's investment capacity as well as engineering technologies. In the photo is a section of the road leading to Thua Thien-Hue Province’s Lang Co Town](/dataimages/202101/original/images1593699_images1593660_images1530849_dji0026_1569468066712494381689_2.jpg) |
Addressing the inauguration ceremony of the Hai Van Tunnel 2, Deputy Prime Minister Trinh Dinh Dung emphasised that this is a large project marking a remarkable progress in Viet Nam's investment capacity as well as engineering technologies. In the photo is a section of the road leading to Thua Thien-Hue Province’s Lang Co Town |
![The new development is highly expected to enhance transport capacity, reduce travel expenses, shorten travel time for vehicles on the North-South road, promote regional economic development and enhance national competitiveness, ensure national defence and security in the coming time. Moreover, the operation of the Hai Van Tunnel 2 will ensure a more synchronous transport connection with Central Highlands or the East-West Economic Corridor.](/dataimages/202101/original/images1593700_images1593659__DSF4955.jpg) |
The new development is highly expected to enhance transport capacity, reduce travel expenses, shorten travel time for vehicles on the North-South road, promote regional economic development and enhance national competitiveness, ensure national defence and security in the coming time. Moreover, the operation of the Hai Van Tunnel 2 will ensure a more synchronous transport connection with Central Highlands or the East-West Economic Corridor. |
By XUAN SON- Translated by A.T
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