Study on Risks in Material Utilization during the Construction of Major Transportation Infrastructure Projects in Vietnam

Abstract

This report examines the critical risk groups associated with the mobilization and utilization of construction materials in large-scale transportation infrastructure development projects in Vietnam. The rapidly increasing demand for materials-amid the simultaneous implementation of multiple expressways, coastal routes and other strategic works-has amplified the likelihood of supply shortages, particularly for embankment soil, construction sand and various types of aggregates. Beyond the heavy reliance on traditional quarries, delays in licensing new material sources and competition among concurrent projects further heighten the vulnerability of supply chains to disruption. Material heterogeneity, small-scale and loosely regulated extraction activities and inconsistent quality control increase the need for additional technical treatment, generating extra costs and potentially delaying project schedules. Logistics systems also face significant pressures, as materials often must be transported over long distances; existing on-site infrastructure is frequently narrow, weak, or shared with local traffic, resulting in congestion, prolonged delivery times and reduced transport efficiency. In parallel, large-scale material extraction introduces considerable environmental and socio-ecological risks, influencing agricultural production, coastal geomorphology, riverine sediment dynamics and inland ecosystems. Furthermore, shortcomings in quarry planning, insufficient integration of supply-demand data and the absence of effective regional coordination mechanisms contribute to heightened market uncertainty. The early identification and systematic risk assessment of these challenges are essential to optimizing resource allocation, safeguarding project timelines and enhancing the overall sustainability of major national transportation infrastructure initiatives in Vietnam.