People are starting to benefit
On September 18, at the Phu Dinh tide control culvert, belonging to the project to solve tidal flooding in the Ho Chi Minh City area, workers are busy completing the final items.
Two sections of Phu Dinh and Dinh An Tai roads along the Doi canal, the area through Phu Dinh culvert, were urgently paved, asphalt concrete paved, and sidewalks paved with bricks by the contractor.
Ms. Lam Thi Soc (43 years old) living on Phu Dinh street (Phu Dinh ward) said that the area used to regularly suffer from flooding when there were heavy rains or high tides.
Every time it rains or high tide rises, the water is flooded black, snakes, centipedes, rats, and bugs crawl into the house. Vehicles travel in flooded water, so they are constantly damaged. Business is also sluggish" - Ms. Soc recounted.
According to Ms. Soc, her family and many households in the area had to live with this situation for a long time.
After the roads were upgraded, people's houses raised foundations, the appearance of the area changed significantly. "In the recent high tide, this area was no longer flooded as before, traveling is easier. The roads are clearer, and my business is also more convenient, so my income has improved" - Ms. Soc shared.
According to Mr. Pham Van Hung - Commander of Phu Dinh culvert, the project currently reaches more than 93% of the volume. The items being focused on completion include management houses, sidewalks, road surfaces, green trees and landscapes.
Important operating equipment such as the main valve gate has been installed. The remaining items of the boat lock and pumping station are expected to be completed in September, then trial operation in October" - Mr. Hung said.
At Tan Thuan tide control culvert, the construction volume has also reached about 95%.
Workers are completing management houses, pumping stations, generators and technical infrastructure; installing electromechanical equipment, pumps and SCADA control systems.
The boat lock valve has been installed. Tan Thuan sluice gate is expected to be test-operated in October 2026.
The remaining tide-preventing culverts including Muong Chuoi, Tan Thuan, Phu Dinh, Ben Nghe, Phu Xuan and Cay Kho reached about 94 - 99% of the volume, expected to be test-operated in October and November respectively.
Reducing flooding for 20 wards and communes
The project to solve tidal flooding in the Ho Chi Minh City area taking into account climate change factors (phase 1) started in 2016, with an initial total investment of nearly 10,000 billion VND, implemented under the BT (build - transfer) contract, invested by Trung Nam Construction Investment Joint Stock Company (Trungnam Group).
According to the initial plan, the project would be completed in 2018. However, the project has been stalled many times due to legal problems and the mechanism for paying land funds to investors.
After the obstacles were gradually removed, the project was restarted in February 2026.
According to Trungnam Group, most of the main items have been completed. Nearly 1,500 officials, engineers, and workers are focusing on completing the remaining tasks, aiming to complete synchronously and hand over the project in November 2026.
When put into operation, the project is expected to control tidal flooding and proactively respond to climate change for the inner city area and the South of Ho Chi Minh City.
The scope of beneficiaries includes 20 wards and communes, including Saigon, Tan Dinh, Ben Thanh, Cau Ong Lanh, Xom Chieu, Khanh Hoi, Vinh Hoi, Tan Thuan, Phu Thuan, Tan My, Tan Hung, Chanh Hung, Phu Dinh, Binh Dong wards and Nha Be, Hiep Phuoc, Tan Nhut, Binh Chanh, Hung Long, Binh Hung communes.
The project is expected to regulate and lower water levels on rivers, canals, and ditches; improve drainage capacity; and at the same time support water storage when heavy rain combines with high tides, thereby reducing pressure on the existing drainage system.
