The Ho Chi Minh City metro project has already disbursed more than 13.6 trillion VND (584.8 million USD) out of the 17.3 trillion VND (743.9 million USD) of its planned funding to date, according to Minister-Chairman of the Government Office Mai Tien Dung. 

At the press conference

The official cited the numbers in response to reporters’ queries regarding the metro project, especially Japanese Ambassador to Vietnam Umeda Kunio’s letter to Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, warning of the slow progress of the project, at the Government’s regular press conference in Hanoi on December 3.

He further explained that following consultation, the city has now adjusted the project’s funding to more than 47.3 trillion VND (2 billion USD). 

The Transport Minister reported issues relating to the project listed among the specially important projects to the Politburo on November 5 as requested by the Prime Minister and is waiting for the response, Dung said.  

At the conference, Deputy Transport Minister Nguyen Nhat cleared up reporters’ questions about budget carrier Vietjet Air’s landing problems at Buon Ma Thuot airport in the Central Highlands province of Dak Lak on November 29. 

He said the incident occurred after the carrier received the aircraft on November 15, noting that the ministry has set up an investigation group to coordinate with the aircraft’s producer Airbus to check its black box and assess relevant issues. 

Vietjet Air’s new Airbus A321 plane operated flight VJ356 from Ho Chi Minh City on November 29 and encountered a landing problem at Buon Ma Thuot airport.

Its nose wheels remained in place after touching the runway, but later burst while the aircraft was still moving. The landing gear was without wheels and ploughed into the surface of the runway, causing some light damage.

The plane managed to come to a safe halt, the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam said, adding that the cabin crew carried out emergency procedures to help all 207 passengers exit the aircraft. 

Some passengers suffering from minor injuries were immediately brought to a nearby hospital for examination. They were discharged in stable conditions.

Also at the press conference, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Do Thang Hai affirmed that there will not be a shortage of electricity in 2019. 

He said the Ministry of Industry and Trade will report the power price scenario for 2019 to the the Steering Committee on Price Management in December 2018 and then send it on to the Government. 

Regarding concerns over coal for thermo-electricity, Hai cited reports by the Vietnam National Coal and Mineral Industries Group (Vinacomin) and Dong Bac Coal Corporation which said that in 2018, Vinacomin supplied 28.9 million tonnes of coal, up 22 percent against 2017, while Dong Bac provided 5.8 million tonnes. –VNA