Good news if you are heading to Mu Cang Chai for this year's golden rice season: the road linking the IC14 junction on the Noi Bai – Lao Cai expressway with Nghia Lo is now essentially complete. About 98% of it has been paved, the few short sections still under construction already have a rolled stone base, so low-clearance cars get through fine, and it cuts roughly 25km of mountain pass driving compared with the older routes. The Mebayluon team recently drove the whole stretch – here is what you need to know before you set off. 👉 Once you are there, where do you fly and what does it cost? See our guide to paragliding in Mu Cang Chai.
🛣️ Current state of the route
The section from the IC14 junction (Mau A) through An Luong to Nghia Lo is now about 98% paved, built to a two-lane standard with a wide, open carriageway. The few short sections still under construction already have a rolled stone base course, so low-clearance cars get through normally – just slow down. Contractors are still working day and night on the remaining items: drainage ditches on both sides, road signs, lane markings and the traffic safety system. The key point: although it has not been officially inaugurated, the road is already open to normal traffic for every type of vehicle – motorbikes, cars and coaches alike. The road is part of the Northern Mountainous Provinces Transport Connectivity Project, funded by an ADB loan and Australian government aid, with Project Management Unit 2 (Ministry of Construction) as the investor. The full route runs about 53km, starting at the IC14 junction and ending where it meets National Highway 32.
