On July 15, information from the Government Office, Deputy Prime Minister Le Thanh Long directed the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment to preside over and coordinate with relevant ministries and agencies to study and promptly handle the approval of the adjustment of the Ben Tre Water Management Project (JICA-3). At the same time, the Deputy Prime Minister directed the investor to promptly complete related procedures to organize the bidding in 2025, to be completed in 2028.
In addition, the Deputy Prime Minister also requested support for the allocation of central budget capital in the medium-term public investment plan for the 2026-2030 period to complete the investment in the two sluices of Vam Thom and Vam Nuoc Trong (about 1,500 billion VND), in order to complete the saltwater prevention and storage system.
The Ben Tre Water Management Project (JICA-3) was approved by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (now the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment) in 2017. This is a large-scale irrigation project built in Ben Tre province (now Vinh Long province), with a total investment of about 6,200 billion VND from loans from the Japanese Government. This project was assigned to the Irrigation Construction Investment Management Board 9 as the investor.
According to the investigation of Lao Dong Newspaper reporters, the JICA-3 project will build 8 sluices, including: An Hoa, Thu Cuu, Ben Tre, Tan Phu, Ben Ro, Cai Quao, Vam Nuoc Trong and Vam Thom. Up to now, Tan Phu and Ben Ro sluices have been completed, put into use and are being effective in preventing salinity and storing fresh water.
The remaining 6 sluices, including: An Hoa, Thu Cuu, Ben Tre, Cai Quao, Vam Nuoc Trong and Vam Thom, have not yet been constructed.
Mr. Le Van Van (residing in Vinh Long province) said that since 2017, when hearing the information about investing in An Hoa Shipwreck on Giao Hoa River, people were very excited. However, after 8 years, this project is still slow to implement construction.
"Every year, saline intrusion from the sea attacks. Because it has not been closed, this area cannot prevent salinity, thereby lacking fresh water for watering the plants. Hopefully, in the near future, the authorities will soon start construction," said Mr. Van.
