Construction of channels running through Lach Giang estuary began in Hai Hau district, the northern province of Nam Dinh, on February 23.
The work is part of a major transport project expected to cost more than 201.5 million USD, with the World Bank providing a loan of 171 million USD and the remainder coming from the Vietnamese Government.
The first phase will upgrade the Viet Tri-Hanoi-Quang Ninh waterway corridors and the second will build a breakwater and canal at the Lach Giang estuary while upgrading the Viet Tri, Ninh Binh-Ninh Phuc river ports.
Speaking at the ceremony, Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai described infrastructure development, especially in transport, as one of the three strategic tasks on Vietnam’s path towards becoming an industrialised nation by 2020.
He asked the Ministry of Transport, the project’s investors, management board and constructors to mobilise all resources for the work.
The ministry must closely partner with local authorities to overcome obstacles along the way and ensure successful completion of the project, he said.
Once operational, the channels will allow ships with loads of up to 1,000 tonnes to reach ports in the Red River, while heavier cargo ships will gain access to Ninh Co port in Nam Dinh province and Ninh Phuc port in Ninh Binh province.
The work is expected to be completed by the end of December 2015.
VNA
