Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam’s southern metropolis, is expected to get more financial supports from Flanders of Belgium for its development and management of seaport amid rising sea level, Chairman Le Hoang Quan said. Mr. Quan made the statement at a meeting with Minister for Mobility and Public Works of the Flanders Region Hilde Crevits in HCM City on Nov 10. He also expressed his hope that the Belgian government and the Flanders region will continue assisting his city in the next phase of the Soai Rap River dredging project and construction of the Hiep Phuoc Port. For her part, Minister Hilde Crevits said that Belgium will help Vietnam enhance its seaport exploitation and link with the international seaport network. Thousands of dwellers in the City, the most populous city of Vietnam, have suffered the worst tidal surge in more than 60 years when the water level was measured at 1.68 meters high at Saigon River. HCM City has called for support from international organizations for climate change response as it is listed among the top 10 cities worldwide to be hardest hit by climate change. By 2050, millions of its inhabitants will be at risk of regular and extreme weather such as floods, droughts and storms. (vietnamplus.vn Nov 10, VOV Nov 10)
