Accelerating Climate Change-Resilient Urban Development Project in Hoa Binh Area

On the afternoon of October 18, Comrade Dinh Cong Su, Member of the Provincial Party Committee and Vice Chairman of the Provincial People’s Committee, received and worked with a French delegation led by Ms. Éléonore Caroit, Minister Delegate attached to the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, responsible for Francophonie, International Partnerships, and French Nationals Abroad.

Joining the delegation were Mr. Didier Le Bret, Ambassador of France to Vietnam, alongside representatives of the French Development Agency (AFD) and relevant units.

On behalf of provincial leadership, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People’s Committee Dinh Cong Su presents gifts to Ms. Éléonore Caroit and members of the French delegation.

During the working program, the delegation visited the Hoa Binh Hydropower Plant Expansion Project and conducted a field survey of the Climate Change-Resilient Urban Development Project in the Hoa Binh Urban Area.

At these locations, leaders of the Provincial People’s Committee and representatives of specialized agencies presented overviews, discussed contents related to project deployment processes, and informed the delegation regarding investment orientations, key focus categories, and development targets for the coming period.

Ms. Éléonore Caroit and delegation members tour the Hoa Binh Hydropower Plant Expansion Project.

During the working session, Ms. Éléonore Caroit and delegation members highly appreciated the significance of the Climate Change-Resilient Urban Development Project in the Hoa Binh Urban Area. This project aims to enhance urban resilience against climate change impacts, improve technical infrastructure systems, and elevate environmental living quality for local residents.

The Hoa Binh Hydropower Plant Expansion Project stands as one of the energy projects featuring financial support from France through the French Development Agency (AFD).

The project had its loan proposal approved by the Prime Minister in Decision No. 1126/QD-TTg dated June 23, 2026; while the Provincial People’s Committee approved the investment policy in Decision No. 2834/QD-UBND dated August 24, 2026. Total projected implementation capital exceeds 1,495 billion VND, comprising loan capital, non-refundable grant capital, and counterpart funds. Among these, the French Development Agency (AFD) funds the loan portion, while the Water and Natural Resources Management Fund (WARM) finances the non-refundable grant portion.

The French delegation hears the Hoa Binh Regional Project Management Board introduce the Climate Change-Resilient Urban Development Project in the Hoa Binh Urban Area.

The project comprises 3 main components: Construction and improvement of drainage systems for flood prevention alongside urban public spaces; elevating essential urban service quality through wastewater collection and treatment; and technical assistance in project management, implementation, and urban operations.

Anticipated focus items include improving drainage systems on both banks of the Da River and the Ky Son area; enhancing water regulation capacity at Thinh Lang, Roc Khop, and De lakes; and constructing and upgrading pumping stations, drainage networks, and a wastewater treatment plant with a capacity of approximately 5,000 m3/day-night. Through these interventions, the project will contribute to reducing inundation risks, improving environmental sanitation conditions, and step-by-step perfecting urban infrastructure toward sustainability and climate change resilience.

The French delegation conducts a field visit to areas and sites designated for the drainage system improvement and flood prevention project in Hoa Binh Ward.

Exchanging views with the delegation, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People’s Committee Dinh Cong Su expressed his desire for Ms. Éléonore Caroit to continue offering attention and support to promote the project. He affirmed that Phu Tho Province will focus on directing departments, branches, and functional agencies to proactively coordinate with involved parties, urgently finalize necessary procedures, and resolve difficulties to create favorable conditions for the project to commence on schedule.

Vice Chairman Dinh Cong Su requested the French Government, through the French Development Agency (AFD), to actively support Phu Tho Province regarding funding for the Climate Change-Resilient Urban Development Project in the Hoa Binh Urban Area.

Exchanging views at the working session, Ms. Éléonore Caroit highly evaluated the significance of the Climate Change-Resilient Urban Development Project in the Hoa Binh Urban Area, particularly its goals of raising urban resilience to climate impacts, upgrading drainage and wastewater treatment infrastructure, and improving living environmental quality.

Ms. Éléonore Caroit emphasized: Through field surveys, the delegation gained additional insights into implementation realities, key investment items, as well as requirements arising during project execution. This serves as a foundation for all parties to continue exchanges and coordination to advance the project according to plan.

Currently, the project is in its investment preparation phase, conducting selection of survey consulting contractors and preparing the Feasibility Study Report. According to projections, survey and report preparation work will be executed from November 2026 to January 2027, striving for Feasibility Study Report approval in February 2027. Proactive coordination between relevant agencies and donors holds significant importance to guarantee procedural progress and bring investment items into execution at an early date.

Manh Hung