Japan Helps Upgrade Four Bridges in Central Vietnam

The Japanese government will provide Vietnam with aid worth JPY749 million ($9 million) for building four bridges in the central provinces under a diplomatic note signed recently. The agreement was signed by between the Japanese Ambassador to Vietnam, Tanizaki Yasuaki and the Vietnamese Minister of Transport, Dinh La Thang in the capital city of Hanoi on May 8. The funds will be used to rebuild four bridges between 2012 and 2014, including Tam Ngan in Ninh Thuan province, Ngoi Ngan in Khanh Hoa province, and Ea Soup and Krong Kmar in Dak Lak province. These damaged bridges currently cause dangers for cyclists, pedestrians and vehicles. The rebuilding of these bridges is urgently required to ensure the safety and convenience of local residents. The Japanese Government earlier assisted Vietnam in building three bridges in the northern, central and Mekong River Delta provinces. The first project which built 29 bridges in 16 northern provinces was conducted between 1995 and 1998. The construction of 38 bridges in 17 provinces in the Mekong River Delta occurred between 2001 and 2003. The reconstruction of the four bridges is the third phase of the project which upon completion will have built or rehabilitated 41 bridges in 18 central provinces, with 37 bridges completed in 2006. (nhandan.org.vn May 9)