ODA funding urged for key bridge in Mekong Delta region

The Ministry of Transport has sent a document to Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc proposing the use of official development assistance for building Rach Mieu 2 bridge in the Mekong Delta region, reports baodautu.vn.

The Ministry of Transport (MoT) made the proposal after the Rach Mieu 2 bridge project connecting the two provinces of Tien Giang and Ben Tre had proved financially unfeasible under the build-operate-transfer (BOT) investment format.

The document suggests PM Phuc assign both the Ministry of Planning and Investment, and the Ministry of Finance, to work alongside the MoT in order to seek official development assistance (ODA) and foreign concessional loans, with a view to hastening the implementation of the project.

oda funding urged for key bridge in mekong delta region hinh 0
Heavy traffic jams at the two-lane Rach Mieu bridge. (Photo: VIR)

The MoT attributed the unfeasible BOT execution of the Rach Mieu 2 bridge project to several ongoing BOT projects throughout National Highway 60 which stretches 115 km in total.

The first phase of Rach Mieu bridge project was inaugurated back in 2009 with toll collection underway on the Km4+617 section of the highway. 

Meanwhile, the second phase is being executed to expand four sections connecting Rach Mieu bridge to Co Chien bridge. This phase is scheduled to be completed during 2019 with toll collection lasting until 2034. 

Additionally, National Highway 60 is also home to the Co Chien bridge project which connects the two southern provinces of Ben Tre and Tra Vinh. This project was first put into service in 2015 with the toll collection expected to end by 2027.

The MoT had previously worked alongside Ben Tre province to find investors for the Rach Mieu 2 bridge project, including those who had invested in the Rach Mieu bridge project. However, this scheme failed as many potential financiers felt that the project had high levels of risk with unspecific returns on their investment.

Nguyen Nhat, MoT Deputy Minister, said that the use of the State budget to buy ongoing BOT projects along National Highway 60 is impossible as the country’s financial resources are limited. This also goes against the nation’s policy of incentivizing private investments in infrastructure projects.

Earlier, the MoT had met with representatives from the Republic of Korea’s Economic Development Cooperation Fund (EDCF). They revealed that the EDCF is likely to consider funding for the Rach Mieu 2 bridge project if the Vietnamese side makes a proposal.

The construction of Rach Mieu 2 bridge is an urgent need to ease traffic jams and boost socio-economic development in the Mekong Delta region as Rach Mieu bridge is currently overloaded.

VOV

Other News

Vietnam accelerates innovation to boost growth, competitiveness

Vietnam accelerates innovation to boost growth, competitiveness

By 2030, Vietnam aims to rank among the world’s top 40 in the GII; raise total social investment in R&D to at least 2% of GDP, with non-State funding accounting for over 60%; increase international scientific publications by an average of 10% annually; and raise the number of patent applications and granted patents by an average of 16-18% annually.

Vietnam sees high growth prospects

Vietnam sees high growth prospects

Experts from the Institute of Vietnam and World Economy under the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences noted the quality of recent growth as the high growth rate has been recorded against an increasingly higher comparative base.

Vietnam seeks bigger share of global Halal market

Vietnam seeks bigger share of global Halal market

Vietnam's Halal exports remain modest at around 900 million USD a year, accounting for less than 1% of the global market. Most exports are still raw agricultural and seafood products. Only around 1,000–1,300 Vietnamese businesses obtained or maintained Halal certification during 2024–2026.

Hanoi sets up inter-agency mechanism to operate carbon market

Hanoi sets up inter-agency mechanism to operate carbon market

Under a decision of the municipal People’s Committee on establishing an inter-agency working group, departments and agencies are responsible for identifying facilities subject to greenhouse gas inventories, developing emissions-reduction plans and studying projects capable of generating carbon credits.

Shrimp exports reach 3.3 billion USD in eight months

Shrimp exports reach 3.3 billion USD in eight months

According to data from the Vietnam Customs cited by the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), shrimp exports reached 478.5 million USD in August, up 4.2% from the same month last year. The eight-month total stood at 3.3 billion USD, representing a year-on-year increase of 12%.

Russian investors explore opportunities in Vietnam's real estate market

Russian investors explore opportunities in Vietnam's real estate market

Vietnam is seen as a potential market, with considerable room for growth in real estate, particularly commercial property, compared with some regional markets. Strong Vietnam-Russia ties and opportunities to establish foreign-invested enterprises are also considered favourable for Russian investors.

Phu Quoc airport planning adjusted to serve APEC 2027

Phu Quoc airport planning adjusted to serve APEC 2027

For 2021-2030, the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam proposed bringing forward the investment in a parallel taxiway system and a connecting taxiway north of Runway No. 2 at Phu Quoc International Airport, in order to connect with the aircraft maintenance and repair facility (hangar) planned for the northern area of ​​the airport.

Policy, infrastructure emerge as new advantages in FDI attraction

Policy, infrastructure emerge as new advantages in FDI attraction

From policy and infrastructure to industrial real estate, Vietnam’s FDI advantages are broadening towards a more integrated production ecosystem, offering investors a stronger combination of conditions for high-value, technology-intensive and long-term projects.

Logistics upgrade vital to 1-trillion-USD trade target: experts

Logistics upgrade vital to 1-trillion-USD trade target: experts

As trade expands, systemic bottlenecks across transport networks, warehousing, ports, border gates, and industrial zones are becoming more apparent. Experts emphasise the need to shift from a fragmented, project-by-project approach toward strategic management structured around trade corridors and integrated supply chains.

Ample room for Vietnam, US to deepen cooperation

Ample room for Vietnam, US to deepen cooperation

Do Ngoc Hung, Trade Counsellor and head of the Vietnam Trade Office in the US, said what stands out is not only the growth in trade volume but also the increasingly deep economic ties between the two countries.

Flexible fiscal policy helps drive economic growth

Flexible fiscal policy helps drive economic growth

According to the Ministry of Finance, State budget revenue in the first eight months of 2026 was estimated at 2.02 quadrillion VND (77.7 billion USD), equivalent to 80% of the annual estimate and up 16% year-on-year. Domestic revenue reached 1.75 quadrillion VND, accounting for 86.6% of total revenue and rising 16.6%.

Electronic components are produced at a factory in Hanoi. (Photo: VNA)

Hanoi's imports surge 41% in first eight months of 2026

Hanoi aims to achieve average annual export growth of at least 12% during 2026-30, with the city seeking to diversify export markets, boost high-tech and value-added products and reduce reliance on traditional markets.