The project  will directly benefit a quarter of a million residents in Vinh City’s urban core by reducing flood risk and improving public health. VNA/VNS Photo

WASHINGTON — The World Bank Board of Directors has just approved a project to strengthen flood resilience and improve sanitation, transport, and public space infrastructure in Vinh City,  a political, economic, and cultural centre of Việt Nam’s north-central coast region.

The US$129.6 million Nghệ An Province Vinh City Priority Infrastructure and Urban Resilience Development Project will directly benefit a quarter of a million residents in Vinh City’s urban core by reducing flood risk and improving public health.

Once completed, the project, will connect 30,000 households to new or rehabilitated secondary and tertiary sewers, and reduce the time women spend on unpaid housework after flooding, including cleaning, by half.

The project will contribute to climate adaptation by reducing damage from heavy rains, and to climate change mitigation by improving living conditions in the city’s centre and the construction of pedestrian and bike lanes.

“The Vinh City project is more than just infrastructure; it's a transformative endeavour enhancing the socioeconomic conditions of Vinh City's inhabitants,” said World Bank Country Director for Vietnam Carolyn Turk. 

“The project embodies the World Bank’s commitment to assisting Việt Nam in achieving sustainable urbanisation and resilient growth”

The project design reflects lessons learned about urban resilience and disaster risk management in Việt Nam and builds on the World Bank’s Vietnam Country Climate and Development Report by supporting the city’s ability to predict and respond to floods and engage in more climate-sensitive urban planning. Investments include flood control systems, wastewater collection and treatment infrastructure, and transport links to promote sustainable urban growth and climate resilience.

Vinh City cannot cope with severe rainfall events, resulting in stormwater pooling at various locations throughout the city. To improve the drainage system, a new lake will be built to store excess stormwater runoff in an expanded flood basin within the city. The project will also support the conversion of vacant land on both sides of the Vinh River into green public spaces while improving waste collection and separation to reduce the quantity of plastic waste disposed into the rivers. VNS