Central city to build tunnel in 2018

The central city of Danang will commence construction on a tunnel under the Han River – the first of its kind in the city and the central region – in 2018 following a final decision taken at the city’s people’s council meeting on Tuesday night.

Director of the city’s transport department, Le Van Trung told reporters that the tunnel will be built with investment of VND4.7 trillion (US$208 million) from the State Budget and the city’s Property Development Fund.

Trung said the project, which was proposed with initial funds of VND4.1 trillion (US$181 million) during a meeting last week, will cover the cost of resettlement for 210 households living on both sides of the Hàn River.

He said the city’s People’s Council eventually decided a plan of a straight axis tunnel rather than a ‘Z’ shape design, connecting Đống Đa street in Hai Chau District and Van Đon Street in Son Tra Peninsula.

The 1.3km tunnel project – of which 900m will go under the Han River, will help connect with the city’s future Metro, Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), monorail or mass public transport routes.

It will be the first traffic route under the river and a landmark tourism hub in central Vietnam.

An overview of the Han River in Danang. — Photo courtesy of Helicopter tours
An overview of the Han River in Danang. — Photo courtesy of Helicopter tours

Last year, Bridge&Tunnel Consultants (BRITEC), who was assigned to develop some key tunnels in Vietnam by the transport ministry, proposed the 6-lane tunnel.

Despite many concerns raised by experts and managers, the city has persisted with the millenary landmark.    

Also at the meeting, the last in 2016, the city’s People’s Council decided to reserve the old administrative building in Bach Dang street as a new location for the city’s museum.

The city said the current Danang Museum, which was built on the location of Dien Hai Citadel (the National Historical monument), will be removed in order for the old citadel to be restored.

A tunnel under the Hàn River is planned for Danang in 2018. — VNS Photo Công Thành
A tunnel under the Hàn River is planned for Danang in 2018. — VNS Photo Công Thành

The city also said the citadel was first constructed as a military outpost in the 12th year of King Gia Long’s reign (1813), near the mouth of the Han River.

The decision to preserve the 100-year-old building on the Han River bank also dismissed the rumor that the city would reserve the building for Chinese Consulate in Danang.

Đà Nẵng has invested a great amount in urban development in order to make it the largest city in the central region – and with the aim of making it a ‘green city’ by 2025 – with funds from the World Bank.

The city, with a population of 1 million, is forecast to develop an urban area for a population of 2.5 million by 2030.

VNS

Other News

Vietnam moves to adapt to rapid population ageing, expand silver economy

Vietnam moves to adapt to rapid population ageing, expand silver economy

The International Day of Older Persons 2026, themed “The Age of Longevity: Rethinking Systems for Longer Lives,” highlights the need to develop healthcare, social security, labour-market and social-service systems in response to increasing life expectancy. For Vietnam, rapid population ageing is not only a demographic issue but also a development challenge.

Vietnamese, Lao localities bolster Front cooperation

Vietnamese, Lao localities bolster Front cooperation

Both sides agreed to keep educating officials, Party members, youth union groups and the broader public, especially young people in both provinces, on the great friendship, special solidarity, comprehensive cooperation and strategic cohesion between Vietnam and Laos.

Urgent rescue launched for Merchant Mariner off Quang Ngai

Urgent rescue launched for Merchant Mariner off Quang Ngai

The captain discovered water entering ballast tanks No. 4, 5 and 6 on the port side, causing the vessel to list slightly. Initial assessments indicated that the vessel may have struck an underwater rock formation while underway.

Publishing copyright caught in crossfire of piracy, AI

Publishing copyright caught in crossfire of piracy, AI

Publishing copyright is entering an entirely new phase. As AI becomes increasingly capable of generating text, summarising books, mimicking writing styles and producing content at enormous speed, ensuring copyright protection is becoming more difficult.

Heavy rains cause widespread damage in Phu Tho, Thanh Hoa

Heavy rains cause widespread damage in Phu Tho, Thanh Hoa

Prolonged heavy rains from September 13–17 have caused flooding and landslides, damaging homes, crops, roads and infrastructure in Phu Tho and Thanh Hoa provinces, with local authorities mobilising forces for emergency response.

Quang Ninh police bust 38.4 million USD transnational cybercrime ring

Quang Ninh police bust 38.4 million USD transnational cybercrime ring

Quang Ninh city's Public Security Department warned individuals, agencies and businesses not to publicly disclose or provide personal information or bank account details on social media, and urged organisations and businesses to strictly comply with regulations on protecting customers’ personal data.

Search area expanded to recover more martyrs' remains in Quang Tri

Search area expanded to recover more martyrs' remains in Quang Tri

The continued recovery of martyrs’ remains provides valuable information and further evidence of those who fought and sacrificed their lives for national independence and freedom. It also encourages search teams to persist in locating fallen soldiers still lying on former battlefields, contributing to the effective implementation of the 500-day campaign and reflecting Vietnam’s long-standing tradition of gratitude.

Vietnam to screen students nationwide for five health risks from 2028

Vietnam to screen students nationwide for five health risks from 2028

Vietnam will launch nationwide screening for five groups of school-related diseases and health conditions among students from preschool through high school from 2028, including overweight and obesity, refractive errors, spinal curvature, oral diseases and mental health disorders.