Australia will provide an aid of AUD160 million for Vietnam to build Cao Lanh Bridge, Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard said at a meeting with Vietnamese counterpart Nguyen Tan Dung in Hanoi Oct 31. Cao Lanh Bridge is designed to have 2 kilometers long and 6 lanes wide over Tien river, a branch of the Mekong, state media reported Nov 1, giving no more detail about the project. Once operational, the bridge connecting Dong Thap and An Giang provinces will become the second to be built with Australian assistance after the cable-stayed My Thuan Bridge which links Tien Giang and Vinh Long provinces, also in the Mekong Delta. Also at the meeting, Australian prime minister pledged further official development assistance (ODA) and stronger support to Vietnam for global integration. Vietnam was the fifth biggest recipient of ODA from Australia last year with some $93 million. This year, Australia pledged $98.58 million for the Southeast Asian country. (vietnamplus.vn Oct 31, Kinh te & Do thi – Economy & Urban Nov 01 p12)
