A trillion-dollar project has been 'shelved' for decades, while people raise chickens in nets

The Phu Tho Biofuel Plant Project (Phu Tho Ethanol) in Phu Tho province is left in ruins and rust, causing many local people to feel regretful and heartbroken.

The Phu Tho Ethanol Plant Project (Van Xuan Commune, Tam Nong District) invested by PetroVietnam Petrochemical and Biofuel Joint Stock Company started construction in 2009, with a total adjusted investment capital of over VND2,400 billion. The plant is expected to be completed after 18 months of construction.

However, in 2012, the project stopped construction and is still unfinished and abandoned. The project has not been handed over to the investor, and the construction work has not been accepted or settled.

According to VietNamNet 's records in November 2024, on a total area of 50 hectares, the project is just unfinished buildings, rusty equipment and machinery, and overgrown grass from the ground to the factory roof.

The vast scene of desolation made everyone feel sad. To implement the project, many rice fields were converted, people no longer had fields to look forward to working as factory workers.

But the project has been suspended for many years, leaving many farmers without stable jobs.

Sharing with reporters , Mr. Trieu Cong Hoan, Chairman of Van Xuan Commune People's Committee, said that Phu Tho Ethanol factory has stopped construction and been abandoned for more than 10 years.

According to Mr. Hoan, at meetings with voters of the commune and district, voters in the commune had many opinions and recommendations for the authorities to handle the issue thoroughly, but so far the project has shown no signs of change.

The trillion-dollar project has been 'shelved' for decades, while people raise chickens in nets, photo 1

Ethanol factory project in ruins after more than 10 years of being "shelved". Photo: Duc Hoang

Mr. Do Hung Son, Vice Chairman of Tam Nong District People's Committee, said that handling problems related to the project is not under the authority of Phu Tho province.

Mr. Son added that currently, most of the assets on the land belong to credit institutions. The investor and related parties are carrying out bankruptcy procedures.

According to Mr. Son, due to legal regulations, bankruptcy procedures are quite complicated and time-consuming. The locality also hopes to quickly clear the project to have an economic development plan, avoiding the current wasteful situation.

Phu Tho Ethanol Factory project images: