Mỹ Thuận 2 Bridge crosses over Tiền Bridge and connects Tiền Giang and Vĩnh Long provinces. VNA/VNS Photo Huy Hùng

TIỀN GIANG — As bridges are considered an impetus for the development of the Mekong Delta region which is crisscrossed with canals, many important structures have been built in the region over the last few years.

In early March, Tiền Giang Province’s authorities completed the payment of compensation for the remaining households affected by the construction of Rạch Miễu 2 Bridge which connects Bến Tre and Tiền Giang provinces.

The project has a total length of more than 17.5km (including the bridge and roads leading to it), and a total investment of VNĐ5.17 trillion (US$219 million). It is expected to be completed by 2025.

Also crossing Tiền River, Mỹ Thuận 2 Bridge linking Tiền Giang with Vĩnh Long is scheduled to be completed by December this year. The 6km bridge has a total investment of over VNĐ5 trillion from the State budget.

Vice Chairman of the Tiền Giang provincial People’s Committee Phạm Anh Tuấn said that these projects are “significant, necessary and urgent” to the localities, contributing to socio-economic and culture development and defence and security assurance of the entire Mekong Delta region.

Along with the projects currently underway, the Government, ministries, sectors and localities are working hard to begin construction on others.

Specifically, the Ministry of Transport has just approved an investment project on building Đại Ngãi Bridge crossing Hậu River and connecting Trà Vinh and Sóc Trăng provinces with an investment of nearly VNĐ8 trillion. The project is expected to be completed in 2026.

In February, the People's Committee of Cần Thơ City proposed the Ô Môn Bridge construction investment project across Hậu River linking the city with Đồng Tháp Province.

In late 2022, Bến Tre and Vĩnh Long also agreed to approve the proposal of building Đình Khao Bridge crossing Cổ Chiên River.

Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyễn Chí Dũng said that in the 2021-2025 period, the total capital sourced from the State budget for projects in the region is estimated at about VNĐ320 trillion, up 23.3 per cent compared to the 2016-2020 period.

The Mekong Delta region is home to more than 21 million people, accounting for nearly 20 per cent of Việt Nam’s population. As a key economic hub, the region provides 90 per cent of the country’s export rice, 70 per cent of its fruits and 65 per cent of its aquatic products.

With 15,000km of waterways, the region’s logistics system remains inadequate. Connecting modes of transport is the ideal way for the Mekong Delta region to develop more strongly and overcome the delay of goods and high costs of shipping. — VNS