Vietnam plans to build a cross-border high-speed road next year, linking the country's capital Hanoi and Kunming City, capital of southwestern China's Yunnan Province, to further boost the nations' trade and tourism.

The construction will start in June. Officials say they hope the work will be completed by 2010, the China News Service reported yesterday, citing a Vietnamese newspaper.

The high-speed road will cost more than US$1 billion, a Vietnam's transport ministry official said. Foreign development fund will cover part of the building cost, the report said.

The average speed on the expressway, which will have six lanes, is expected to reach 80 kilometers to 100 kilometers per hour.

The 264-kilometer long link will go along the Red River Valley and cross the Sino-Vietnam border to reach Kunming.

The areas along the road are also a major "economic corridor" between Kunming and Vietnam's northern cities, the news agency said.

Editor: Yan