VietNamNet Bridge – Though traffic infrastructure in the Mekong Delta has developed considerably in recent years with more roads, bridges, seaports and airports; there is still need of further development for which more funding is urgently required.

 

Xa No Canal is the main route to transport farm produce between Can Tho City and Hau Giang Province. (Photo: SGGP)

 

In previous years, vehicular traffic found it difficult to maneuver in the Mekong Delta, which has a dense network of canals and river systems. But in recent years, the development of some key traffic projects like Highway 1A, from Ho Chi Minh City to Nam Can; HCMC-Trung Luong Expressway; and many other roadways and large bridges like My Thuan, Can Tho, Rach Mieu and Ham Luong, have made accessibility in the region more possible.

Construction of the second phase of the Ho Chi Minh Road and a belt road along the southeastern sea has already begun. Can Tho and Phu Quoc Airports have been built, while Rach Gia and Ca Mau Airports have been upgraded.

Several waterway routes have been improved to link HCM City with various places in the Mekong Delta. An Thoi and Cai Cui Seaports have also been completed.

However, the region still needs more capital for many other traffic works, such as Vam Cong Bridge, Trung Luong-Can Tho Expressway, HCMC-My Tho Railway and lead roads to communes and ports along Tien and Hau Rivers.

Can Tho City is rushing to complete construction of link roads to Can Tho Bridge. (Photo: SGGP)

 

Hundreds of billions of dong were spent to construct Cai Cui Port, the largest port in the Mekong Delta, with capacity to receive 200,000 ton vessels. However, now it is operating at only 10-20 percent of its capacity because there is no entry route for large vessels. These have to go aground Dinh An Tributary in the Hau River before accessing the port.

About VND1 trillion (US$47.82 million) has been spent to dredge and broaden Quan Chanh Bo Canal so that larger vessels can reach ports on the Hau River including Cai Cui. However the project is still in need of another VND1.8 trillion to complete.

Vo Hung Dung, director of Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Can Tho City, said that about 70 percent of export commodities from the Mekong Delta must be transited via ports in HCM City.

Besides a large volume of import fertilizer and other materials are also being transited via HCM City.

As a result, construction of a route for vessels to enter Cai Cui Port is necessary for transport and export and import companies in the Mekong Delta.

According to the Ministry of Transport, the Mekong Delta needs about VND111,672 billion ($5.34 billion) to complete 34 important traffic projects in the phase 2012-2015.

Nearly VND48 trillion ($2.30 billion) is now accessible but still VND64 trillion ($3.06 billion) is running short.

Prior projects that require completion are Co Chien, Nam Can, Cao Lanh, Vam Cong and My Loi Bridge; Trung Luong-Can Tho Expressway; the first phase of the belt road along the southeastern sea; Highway 91; Cho Gao Canal and a link waterway route for large vessels to enter Hau River.

Source: SGGP