Vietnam hopes Cambodia will soon participate in joint research on Funan Techo Project

Vietnam requested Cambodia to closely coordinate in sharing information and assessing the impact of the Funan Techo Project on water resources and the ecological environment of the Mekong Delta.

The Funan Techo Canal will reduce the shipping distance by more than 69 km from Phnom Penh Autonomous Port to Sihanoukville Autonomous Port. Photo: Khmertimeskh.com

According to the Vietnam Mekong River Commission, Cambodia's Funan Techo Canal Project will upgrade and renovate 180km of canal/river, including: The first section (about 20km long) connects the Mekong River with the Bassac River; the second section continues along the Bassac River to the connection point with the waterway from the Bassac River to Kep Port (about 30km long); and the third section is 130km long connecting the Bassac River (at a point about 20km from the Vietnam-Cambodia border) with Kep Port of Cambodia.

The Cambodian side announced that these canal sections are designed with large enough dimensions (channel bottom width of 50m, channel surface width of 80-120m and water depth in the canal of 4.7m) for ships of up to 1,000 tons to pass through. The project will build three sluices (locks) to regulate the flow, maintain the stability of the water level in the waterway and prevent saltwater intrusion. These sluices are 135m long, 18m wide and 5.8m deep. In addition to the above construction items, the project also built 11 traffic bridges (161m long, 12m wide) across the canal to serve the travel needs of the people.

Perspective of a section of the Funan Techo Canal project. Photo: Internet.

The Project is expected to start construction in 2024 and be completed in 2027 with a total cargo volume of 7 million tons/year through this new waterway. Based on the study of information notified about the Project to the Mekong River Commission of Cambodia, the Vietnam Mekong River Commission has had bilateral discussions with the Cambodian side at all levels to raise Vietnam's concerns about the Project's impact on the Mekong Delta and requested the Cambodian side to share detailed information about the Project, including the Project Feasibility Report; conduct a joint study on the Project's impacts; apply the Mekong River Commission's Transboundary Impact Assessment Guidelines to the Project to reach a common understanding of the Project's transboundary impacts and appropriate mitigation measures.

On April 23 in Can Tho, the Vietnam Mekong River Commission held a consultation conference on Cambodia's Funan Techo Canal Project and implemented the Mekong River Commission's water use consultation procedures. Photo: VNA

Vietnam's desire for Cambodia to soon participate in joint research on the Funan Techo Project is a positive signal for the increasingly close cooperation between the two countries in the context of regional economic development. The Funan Techo Project, with the aim of building a multi-purpose economic development zone, will bring great opportunities for both countries to promote trade and investment. Cambodia's participation can help optimize resources and increase the effectiveness of the project. Joint research cooperation will create necessary infrastructure platforms connecting regions, helping to increase the circulation of goods and people between Vietnam and Cambodia. This is not only beneficial for the economy but also for the overall development of border areas. Through participating in project research and development, Cambodia can access advanced technologies and experiences from Vietnam, thereby improving its capacity to manage and operate large projects. This will be an important driving force for Cambodia's sustainable economic development. A major collaborative project like Funan Techo will provide an opportunity for the two countries to strengthen their political, cultural and social ties. Close cooperation will help both sides address the challenges facing the region. The Funan Techo project focuses on sustainable development and environmental protection. Cambodia’s participation in the research will help ensure that the solutions implemented are in line with the sustainable development criteria of both countries. When implemented, the project will create many job opportunities for local people, while contributing to improving the lives and incomes of people in the region. This will directly benefit both the Cambodian and Vietnamese communities. The cooperation between Vietnam and Cambodia in the Funan Techo project is also an important step in the integration process of Southeast Asia, demonstrating a shared commitment to sustainable economic development and creating a more favorable investment environment for international investors. Vietnam's desire for Cambodia to participate in joint research on the Funan Techo Project not only benefits the two countries, but also promotes the comprehensive development of the Southeast Asian region./.

Kim Oanh