Decision No. 344/2005/QD-TTg On the orientation, tasks, and plan for the development of transportation in the Mekong Delta region until 2010 and the direction until 2020

DECISION OF THE PRIME MINISTER

On the orientation, tasks, and plan for the development of transportation in the Mekong Delta region until 2010 and towards 2020 region

Mekong Delta until 2010 and orientation until 2020

PRIME MINISTER

Pursuant to the Law on Organization of the Government dated December 25, 2001;

Considering the proposal of the Ministry of Transport (document No. 3010/GTVT-KHĐT dated May 23, 2005 and No. 7302/BGTVT-KHĐT dated November 21, 2005) and the opinion of the Ministry of Planning and Investment (document No. 6435/BKH-KCHT&ĐT dated September 20, 2005) on the orientation, tasks, and plan for the development of transportation in the Mekong Delta region until 2010 and towards 2020,

DECISION:

Article 1. Approves the orientation, tasks, and plan for the development of transportation in the Mekong Delta region until 2010 and towards 2020 with the main contents as follows:

1. Viewpoints:

- Investment in the transportation infrastructure of the Mekong Delta region must precede by one step, based on doing well the planning work, forming a synchronized, interconnected, and combined transportation system that meets requirements and promotes economic and social development, ensuring national defense and security, public order, and safety, and enhancing integration with the country, region, and internationally.

- Mobilize all resources from the state budget (central and local), domestic and foreign legal sources, to invest in the transportation infrastructure of the region.

- Closely combine investment in transportation infrastructure with irrigation, flood control, and construction of residential clusters in flooded areas.

2. Objectives:

Accelerate investment with the goal that by 2010, the Mekong Delta will have a relatively complete transportation infrastructure system to meet current development needs and create a breakthrough transformation after 2010, specifically as follows:

a) Roadways:

Phase until 2010:

- Complete four major north-south axes including National Highway 1A, Route N2, Route N1 section from Tinh Bien to Ha Tien, and the coastal route (National Highway 50 + National Highway 60), prioritizing early completion of two major north-south axes: National Highway 1 (concentrating on expanding the Trung Luong - My Thuan - Can Tho section) and Route N2 (implementing the Chon Thanh - Vam Cong section first). The entire Route N2, National Highway 63 from Rach Gia to Ca Mau, and National Highway 1 from Nam Can to Dat Mui will be implemented according to the Ho Chi Minh Highway plan; construct the Ho Chi Minh City - Can Tho expressway phase I and Ben Luc - Long Thanh expressway; minor regional north-south axes: south of Hau River and Quan Lo - Phung Hiep.

- Upgrade and improve the east-west axes: National Highways 30, 53, 54, 57, 61, 62, 63, 80, 91; study and implement priority sections of the ring road.

- Complete the construction of large bridges over Can Tho, Rach My, Vam Cong, Cao Lanh, Ham Luong, and other national highways; renovate and build new systems of roads on Phu Quoc Island; gradually expand provincial roads and rural roads to form a connected network.

- The national highway system should basically reach grade III, two lanes (except Route N1 which reaches grade IV), with asphalt or cement concrete surfaces, ensuring durable structures and appropriate roadbed elevations for flood drainage planning; provincial roads should achieve 100% asphalt coverage.

- All commune centers and cluster communes should be accessible by roads; 70% of these roads should have hard surfaces, eliminating basic monkey bridges.

Phase until 2020:

Continue upgrading and expanding the national highway, provincial road, and rural road systems, and complete the Ho Chi Minh City - Can Tho expressway and Duc Hoa - Rach Gia expressway.

b) River route:

Phase until 2010:

b) Waterways:

- Upgrade four main water routes: Ho Chi Minh City - Ha Tien; Ho Chi Minh City - Nam Can; Ho Chi Minh City - Ha Tien through Dong Thap Muoi, and the coastal route. Modernize the buoy and navigation sign system along rivers managed by the central government to achieve 100% modernization.

- Upgrade existing river ports: Ben Luc, Tan Xuan, Cai Thia, Ben Tre, Cho Lach, Binh Minh, Tra Vinh, Soc Trang, Tac Cau...; construct new provincial-level river ports at suitable locations and gradually modernize the river port system.

- Upgrade and construct county-level port and wharf systems; establish village-level wharfs (seasonal wharfs).

- Complete the overall transport waterway scheme research and gradually organize its implementation. By 2020:

- Continue upgrading existing waterway transport routes to ensure technical standards. - Promote multimodal transport, focusing on fully utilizing the strengths of waterway transport.

Phase until 2010:

The total number of ports in the region will be 20 ports with a combined throughput capacity of 15 to 20 million tons per year, among which the Can Tho - Cai Cuu port is the central port of the entire region.

c) Sea Routes:

The total number of ports in the region will be 20 ports with a combined capacity of 15-20 million tons/year, with the Can Tho - Cai Cui port being the central port of the entire region.

Phase until 2020:

Focus on improving and upgrading the Dien An Gate, Ty Gate, Hau River channel, Tiền River channel, and Large Gate channel.

Gradually upgrade comprehensive ports such as Can Tho, My Thoi, Cao Lanh, My Tho, Vinh Thai, Nam Can, Hon Chong; specialized ports Viet Nguyen, Binh Tri. Construct new comprehensive ports such as Dai Gai, Tra Cu, Ham Luong, Co Chi, An Thoi.

- Study the construction of offshore ports (fixed and floating) capable of receiving ships with a deadweight tonnage of 30,000 to 50,000 DWT for the Mekong Delta region.

- Continue investing in the comprehensive improvement of the port system to meet the transportation needs of the region.

- Phase until 2010:

d) Air Transport:

Invest in building air transport infrastructure in the Mekong Delta region according to the direction of commercialization, regular operation to and from economic zones and tourist destinations, meeting air transport needs and ensuring national security and safety.

- Phase until 2010:

Rach Gia Airport, Ca Mau Airport: domestic airports capable of receiving short-haul aircraft like ATR72, FOKKER70. Renovate and upgrade to enhance capacity and service quality.

Rach Gia, Ca Mau, Can Tho airports: continue to invest in upgrading to enhance capacity and service quality, meeting actual passenger growth needs.

Phu Quoc airport: invest in constructing a new airport at Duong To (Phase II).

d) Railways:

Study and implement the construction of the Ho Chi Minh City - My Tho railway line at an appropriate time based on transportation demand and capital balancing capability, with completion of the Ho Chi Minh City - Can Tho railway line by 2020.

3. Transportation development plan up to 2010:

a) Roadways:

National Highway:

- National Highway 1: complete the expansion of the Trung Luong - My Thuan section in 2006 and continue expanding the My Thuan - Can Tho section. Complete the upgrade of the Can Tho - Nam Can section in 2006 and bridges along the route in 2007. Complete the Can Tho Bridge in 2008.

- Route N2: from Chon Thanh (Binh Duong) to Vam Ray (Kien Giang), part of the Ho Chi Minh Highway. This is a critical support route for National Highway 1, currently accelerating construction of the Duc Hoa - Thanh Hoa section, to be completed in 2006. Continue construction of the Chon Thanh - Duc Hoa section (including Cu Chi - Duc Hoa), and the Thanh Hoa - My An - Vam Cong section (including Cao Lanh, Vam Cong bridges and Long Xuyen bypass) to be completed before 2010 using Ho Chi Minh Highway funds.

- Route N1: the Tinh Bien - Ha Tien section will be completed in 2006. The Chau Doc - Tinh Bien section will be implemented during 2006 - 2010. The Duc Huei - Chau Doc section will have its progress delayed after 2010.

- Ho Chi Minh City - Can Tho Expressway: this is a key route, serving as the main exit for the Mekong Delta at present. The Ho Chi Minh City - Trung Luong section was launched in December 2004 and completed in 2007. The Trung Luong - Can Tho section will complete investment procedures after the completion of the Ho Chi Minh City - Trung Luong section.

- Ho Chi Minh Highway: outside the sections mentioned above that were implemented earlier, by 2010, construct the roadbed and bridges of the Nham Can - Dat Mui section with two lanes, and the remaining section from Vam Cong to Ca Mau will be constructed later.

- National Highway 50: the Go Cong - My Tho section has completed Phase 1. The remaining part of National Highway 50 (Ho Chi Minh City - Long An - Tien Giang) including My Loy and Cho Goi bridges, will be completed before 2010.

- Southern Hau River Route: construct a new route with two lanes, commenced in the second quarter of 2005 and completed in 2008.

- Quan Lo - Phung Hiep Route: construct a new route with two lanes, commenced in the second quarter of 2005 and completed in 2008. This route has the potential to develop into an expressway in the future.

- Vi Thanh - Can Tho Route: invest in building a new route (along Xa No canal) with a planned scale of four lanes. Initially, invest with a scale of two lanes, to be completed in 2009.

- National Highway 80: the My Thuan - Vam Cong section will be upgraded to a two-lane scale, to be completed in 2007.

- National Highway 61: has completed the upgrade of the Vi Thanh - Cai Tu section in Hau Giang province. Accelerate the construction progress of the Cai Tac - Thuy Loi bridge, Cai Tu bridge, and Myiu bridge, to be completed in 2006.

- National Highway 62 (Tan Thanh - Binh Hiep section): has basically upgraded the entire route to a two-lane scale from Tan An to Binh Hiep border gate. The Binh Hiep border gate section will be upgraded to a four-lane scale, to be completed in 2006.

- National Highway 63 (Go Quao - Ca Mau city): will complete the upgrade to a two-lane scale in 2007. - National Highway 30: has basically completed the upgrade to a two-lane scale. The Hong Gu - Dinh Ba section will be completed in 2006.

- National Highway 60: complete the sections through Ben Tre, Tra Vinh, Soc Trang in 2006 with a two-lane scale; the Trung Luong - Rach Myeu (Tien Giang) section will be completed in 2008.

The Rach Myeu Bridge is being invested in under the BOT model with state budget funding, to be completed in 2006. The Ham Luong Bridge will be completed in 2010; the Co Chieng and Dai Ngai bridges will continue to use ferries until 2010, initially constructing ferry terminals at Co Chieng and Dai Ngai using Danish loans.

- National Highway 53: open the Long Toan Bridge, upgrade some sections to a two-lane scale: Km 114 - Km 130, the Trà Vinh city bypass, and the extension of National Highway 53 in Vinh Long, to be completed in 2007; the remaining sections are expected to use World Bank funds through the Mekong Delta Infrastructure Upgrading Project (2006 - 2009) and state budget.

- National Highway 54 (Dong Thap - Vinh Long - Tra Vinh): upgrade the route sections in Dong Thap and Vinh Long to a two-lane scale, to be completed in 2006. The Tra On Bridge and five bridges in Vinh Long will be completed in 2007.

The Tram Met - Tap Son section in Tra Vinh is expected to be upgraded using World Bank loans through the Mekong Delta Infrastructure Upgrading Project (2006 - 2009) and state budget.

- National Highway 57 (Vinh Long - Thach Phu): the Vinh Long - Moc Cay section is being upgraded to a two-lane scale, to be completed in 2007. The Moc Cay - Thach Phu section will be upgraded using World Bank loans through the Mekong Delta Infrastructure Upgrading Project (2006 - 2009) and state budget.

- National Highway 91: the Nguyen Trung Truc - Ben Thuy section (including Nguyen Trung Truc and Chac Ca Dao bridges), to be completed in 2007. The Can Tho - Cai San section is expected to be upgraded using World Bank loans through the Mekong Delta Infrastructure Upgrading Project (2006 - 2009).

- Coastal Road System along the southern part of National Highway 80 + 63 (from Xa Xia border gate to Ca Mau) will be upgraded using Asian Development Bank (ADB) loans. Construction will commence in 2006 and be completed in 2009.

- Island Road System on Phu Quoc Island: prioritize three routes: Duong Dong - Cua Can, Suoi Cai - Gan Dau, Bai Thom - Gan Dau (including Duong Dong Bridge), to be completed in 2008.

Local Transport System:

- Provincial Road System: in recent years, localities have invested in gradually upgrading and expanding provincial roads, especially important ones that create better connections with national highways. In the future, continue to invest in upgrading this system, striving to achieve 100% paved roads by 2010.

- Rural transportation system: further develop the mass movement of building rural roads to expand and upgrade the rural transportation system, striving for 90% of communes to have access to central roads by 2010. In particular, focus on maximizing the advantages of waterway transport.

b) River route:

- Complete the project to upgrade two city waterway transport routes: Ho Chi Minh City - Kien Luong, Ho Chi Minh City - Ca Mau, and Can Tho port by 2005. Utilize surplus funds from bidding to invest in constructing the Ca Mau - Nam Can waterway route, the Kien Luong - Ha Tien route, the Bac Lieu - Ca Mau route (Phase I), and six loading and unloading wharfs, all to be completed in 2005.

- Upgrade main river routes: Ho Chi Minh City to Kien Luong via Dong Thap Muoi and Long Xuyen Quadrangle, Ho Chi Minh City - Tra Vinh, Bac Lieu - Ca Mau (Phase II), the bypass channel Cho Gao route, and the Ham Luong River transport route using World Bank loan capital, with construction expected to commence in 2006 and completion in 2009.

- Complete the overall study of waterway transport solutions in the Mekong Delta region in relation to other modes of transport and gradually implement them.

- Continue upgrading existing waterway transport routes to ensure technical standards. - Promote multimodal transport, focusing on fully utilizing the strengths of waterway transport.

- Dinh An Channel: improve the Dinh An Channel for vessels up to 10,000 DWT - 20,000 DWT, to be completed before 2010. In the meantime, conduct annual dredging maintenance at a limited vessel traffic level that takes advantage of tidal currents for vessels up to 5,000 tons - 10,000 tons, and construct a new vessel channel through Quan Chanh Bo canal for vessels up to 20,000 DWT to enter the Hau River.

- Jointly research with foreign partners to potentially invest in constructing a transshipment port for vessels up to 30,000 - 60,000 DWT in the offshore area near the Dinh An entrance.

- Invest in constructing the An Thoi Port (Phu Quoc) for vessels up to 2,000 - 3,000 DWT, to be completed in 2008.

- Gradually upgrade the Hau River, Tien River, and Cuu Lon River channels; comprehensive ports such as Can Tho, Dai Gai, My Thoi, Cao Lanh, My Tho, Vinh Thai, Nam Can, Hon Chong; specialized ports like Viet Nguyen, Binh Tri; and build new necessary river ports.

- Study the construction of offshore ports (fixed and floating) capable of receiving ships with a deadweight tonnage of 30,000 to 50,000 DWT for the Mekong Delta region.

- Can Tho International Airport:

Implement the project to renovate the runway, taxiways, aircraft parking apron, and civil aviation area to accommodate aircraft types such as A321, B767, or equivalent, to be completed in 2007. Further research to proceed with subsequent phases.

- Phu Quoc International Airport:

Currently, the infrastructure system at the Phu Quoc Airport in Duong Dong (including the runway, taxiways, apron, terminal) has been fully renovated and can accommodate aircraft types such as ATR72, FOKKER70. However, this location cannot be expanded to accommodate larger aircraft. Construct a new international airport at Duong To. Complete the overall planning for the new airport to serve as the basis for investment project development. Develop funding plans so that Phase I of the new international airport at Duong To can commence construction in 2008, capable of accommodating aircraft types such as A321, B767, or equivalent, and put into operation after 2010.

- Rach Gia and Ca Mau Airports:

The current airfield infrastructure ensures the operation of aircraft types such as ATR72, FOKKER70. In 2005, commence construction of the passenger terminal and upgrade the airfield to enhance service capacity and quality.

d) Railways:

Complete the development project for the Ho Chi Minh City - My Tho railway line to enable implementation at an appropriate time.

4. Some mechanisms and policies:

Develop transportation in the Mekong Delta region to meet the development needs of the region under the condition of limited state budget, requiring suitable policies and mechanisms to maximize the region's strengths; utilize all resources; invest with focus and priority based on Can Tho as the central city and the main transportation hub of the entire region.

a) Regularly update and adjust development plans to align with actual conditions, ensuring consistency and sustainability. For plans where we lack experience, consider hiring experienced foreign consultants to implement or review.

b) Urgently implement the comprehensive plan for developing waterway transportation throughout the region to gradually organize and execute it.

c) Accelerate the progress of researching and proposing fundamental solutions for handling the Cai Gate and large vessel ports in the Mekong Delta region.

d) The Ministry of Transport will closely coordinate with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and localities in planning and designing transportation projects to ensure both transportation requirements and water management, flood control, and the construction of residential clusters.

e) Based on approved projects, the Ministry of Transport will direct the project sponsors to accelerate the construction progress of projects with available funds to quickly put them into operation, especially key projects. Utilize state budget, ODA, government bonds, BOT, toll revenue for repayment, concession rights... Localities must proactively invest in transportation infrastructure to ensure synchronized operation with the overall transportation infrastructure system.

f) Study and apply scientific and technological advancements to address technical issues arising from the complex geological and hydrological conditions of the region, thereby reducing construction costs and improving project quality.

Article 2. Implementation organization:

1. Direct the Ministry of Transport to implement the orientation, tasks, and plan for developing transportation in the Mekong Delta region until 2010 and towards 2020 according to this Decision.

2. Central ministries, sectors, and localities shall closely cooperate during the planning, planning, and implementation process.

3. The Ministry of Planning and Investment and the Ministry of Finance shall examine and allocate funds in the annual plan for approved projects according to this decision; simultaneously, they shall cooperate with the Ministry of Transport to mobilize additional sources of capital for implementation.

4. Localities shall cooperate with the Ministry of Transport during the implementation of investment projects in their areas to ensure quality and schedule, particularly land clearance work; actively mobilize all resources and allocate a reasonable portion of the annual budget to develop the local transportation system.

Article 3. The Standard Measurement Quality Control Department shall be responsible for organizing and guiding the implementation of the Regulations adopted herein.

Article 4. The Ministers, Heads of ministerial-level agencies, Heads of governmental agencies, and Chairpersons of People's Committees of provinces in the Mekong Delta region shall be responsible for implementing this Decision./.