French Minister Delegate for Francophonie, International Partnerships and French Nationals Abroad Éléonore Caroit paid a working visit to the northern province of Phu Tho on October 18. She surveyed the expanded Hoa Binh Hydropower Plant and the climate-resilient urban development project in Hoa Binh urban area.
Provincial leaders and representatives of relevant agencies briefed the delegation on project implementation, key investment components and development orientations. They also discussed investment preparations and requirements for implementing the climate-resilient urban development project.
The Prime Minister approved the project's loan proposal on June 23, 2026, while the provincial People's Committee approved its investment policy on August 24, 2026.
The project has an estimated total investment of more than 1.49 trillion VND, or nearly 58 million USD. It will use loans, non-refundable aid and counterpart funding. The French Development Agency (AFD) will provide the loan, while the Water and Natural Resources Management Fund (WARM) will provide non-refundable aid.
The project has three main components: developing and upgrading drainage systems and public spaces to mitigate flooding, improving urban services through wastewater collection and treatment, and providing technical assistance for project management, implementation and urban operations.
It focuses on improving drainage along both banks of the Da River and in the Ky Son area, regulating water in Thinh Lang, Roc Khop and De lakes, and building or upgrading pumping stations, drainage networks and a wastewater treatment plant with a capacity of around 5,000 cubic metres per day.
Once completed, the project is expected to reduce flood risks, improve environmental sanitation and living conditions, and strengthen the urban area's resilience to climate change.
Caroit welcomed the project and said that strengthening urban resilience, improving drainage and wastewater treatment, and improving the living environment are important for sustainable urban development. The field visit gave the delegation a clearer understanding of implementation progress, key investment components and outstanding requirements, providing a basis for further coordination.
Dinh Cong Su, Vice Chairman of the provincial People's Committee, expressed his hope that Caroit would continue to support the project. The province will direct relevant departments to coordinate with partners and donors, expedite the necessary procedures and address obstacles to facilitate early implementation.
The project is currently in the investment preparation phase, and consultants are being selected for surveys and the feasibility study report. Survey work and report preparation are scheduled from November 2026 to January 2027, with approval of the feasibility study report targeted for February 2027.
Closer coordination among the provincial authorities, relevant agencies and donors is needed to complete the necessary procedures on schedule and start investment activities as soon as possible.
Sources: VietnamPlus / Vietnam News Agency
