HCMC - Chinese firms have participated in tenders to build seven out of eight sections of the North-South Expressway project, under the public-private partnership format.

The seven subprojects are Mai Son-National Highway 45, National Highway 45-Nghi Son, Nghi Son-Dien Chau, Dien Chau-Bai Vot, Nha Trang-Cam Lam, Cam Lam-Vinh Hao and Vinh Hao-Phan Thiet. The tender for the Phan Thiet-Dau Giay subproject has yet to be held, the local media reported.

According to project management units under the Ministry of Transport, the tenders attracted 52 investors, including 36 foreign firms.

Chinese investors submitted bidding applications for all subprojects. China Railway Construction Corporation Limited, the parent company of China Railway Sixth Group, which is the contractor for the Cat Linh-Ha Dong elevated railway system in Hanoi, also submitted applications.

Responding to questions on the high number of Chinese investors wishing to join the North-South Expressway project, Nguyen Danh Huy, director of the Public-Private Partnership Department, under the Ministry of Transport, noted that this was normal, adding that Chinese investors and other foreign investors should be treated fairly.

Besides Chinese investors, large firms from South Korea expressed interest in the big-ticket project, including Daewoo Engineering & Construction Co., Ltd; Lotte Engineering & Construction Co., Ltd; and Hyundai Engineering & Construction Co., Ltd.

The ministry will consider candidates’ bidding applications over the next 30 days. Enterprises will be put on the shortlist if they meet at least 60% of the requirements.

A maximum of five investors with the highest scores will be chosen for each subproject to enter the bidding round, which is set to take place in October.

The results will be published in March next year before the relevant sides sign contracts the next month.

Foreign investors will invest their own capital and be responsible for the construction and operation of projects.

The Vietnamese Government will invest VND40.3 trillion in site clearance and resettlement for the eight subprojects. Localities will be in charge of site clearance and the handover of cleared land to investors.