On October 16, 2025, in Dak Lak, the left branch of the western part of the Phuong Hoang Phoenix Tunnel—measuring 1,705 m and part of Phase 1 of the Khanh Hoa – Buon Ma Thuot Expressway Project, implemented by the XL01 Package Contractor Consortium—was officially breached.
Mr. Ngo Huu Khoa, Director of the XL01 Package Management Board, stated that by mid-October 2025, the construction of Phoenix Tunnel—the project's key component—had entered the final sprint phase. The left tunnel branch was breached on the morning of October 16. The right tunnel branch has currently reached 1,391 m out of 1,700 m, equivalent to 82% of the volume. Efforts are underway to complete the remaining excavation in November 2025.
The left branch of the western Phoenix Tunnel—measuring 1,705 m and part of Phase 1 of the Khanh Hoa – Buon Ma Thuot Expressway Project, implemented by the XL01 Package Contractor Consortium—has been officially breached.
To meet the schedule targets, the contractor consortium led by Deo Ca Group has mobilized 575 officers, engineers, and workers, along with nearly 180 specialized equipment items. They are operating across 21 construction fronts, including 5 for tunnels and 16 for bridges and roads. To date, the overall output of Package XL01 has exceeded 40% of the contract value. The Phoenix Tunnel category—the largest component—has achieved over 90% of the excavation volume. Bridge, culvert, and road categories are being implemented in parallel and accelerated to ensure synchronous connection immediately after tunnel excavation is completed.
Despite positive results, the site still faces numerous challenges. The tunnel area's geology is complex, with many sections of weathered rock interspersed with weak clay soil that is prone to water infiltration and collapse. This requires flexible and absolutely safe treatment measures. The rugged mountainous terrain, prolonged heavy rains, along difficulties in materials and power supply have also posed significant obstacles to construction organization.
Phoenix Tunnel is the longest tunnel on the Khanh Hoa - Buon Ma Thuot Expressway, undertaken by the consortium led by Deo Ca Group.
In the face of these difficulties, the Management Board has proactively applied various technical solutions. These include enhanced drilling and grouting for reinforcement, additional rock bolts, steel mesh, and shotcrete lining, combined with an automated monitoring system to control tunnel deformation in real time. At the same time, the construction team has been flexibly coordinated across fronts, maintaining continuous three-shift production to both maintain progress and ensure absolute safety.
“This is the result of determination and seamless coordination among contractors, consulting units, and the team of engineers and workers. The contractor consortium will continue to maintain this momentum. We will concentrate manpower and equipment to breach the right tunnel in November 2025. This will lead to completing the structure, technical systems, and road surface in 2026,” emphasized Mr. Ngo Huu Khoa.
The breakthrough of the left tunnel branch is a critical turning point. It facilitates the transportation of fuel, materials, equipment, and personnel, creating favorable conditions to accelerate the overall project progress.
Package XL01 of the Khanh Hoa – Buon Ma Thuot Expressway Project (Segment 2) has a length of 11 km. The total package value is 3,083 billion VND. Along the route, in addition to the road and Phoenix Tunnel, there are 10 bridges. The project investor is the Project Management Board 6 (Ministry of Transport – now Ministry of Construction). Package XL01 is executed by the contractor consortium led by Deo Ca Group. |
News: Hue Nhien
