Vice Premier Insists on ‘No Compromise’ in Master Planning for the Mega Port Project Worth 113,000 Billion VND at the Gateway to Ho Chi Minh City

On August 28th, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha chaired a meeting with several ministries, sectors, and localities regarding the draft Detailed Planning for a group of seaports, port wharves, piers, moorings, water areas, and water zones for the period of 2021-2030, with a vision towards 2050 (Detailed Planning for the group of seaports). The meeting also discussed the investment policy for the Saigon International Gateway Transshipment Port project.

Regarding the Saigon International Gateway Transshipment Port project in Can Gio District, Ho Chi Minh City, the Ministry of Planning and Investment reported that the project will provide services related to the operation of a seaport container terminal, with a planned area of 571 hectares and a total investment of approximately VND 113,500 billion. The project is expected to be implemented in 7 phases over 22 years.

At the meeting, leaders of ministries, sectors, and Ho Chi Minh City discussed and analyzed the progress, total investment, technical infrastructure, and traffic connectivity of the project.

According to Mr. Nguyen Canh Tinh, General Director of Vietnam Maritime Corporation, the project is considered highly feasible due to the identified cargo volume. He requested that Ho Chi Minh City direct solutions to ensure land allocation for the project in accordance with the schedule for each phase. He also suggested that the city establish and announce clear criteria and conditions for attracting investment, as well as the commitments required from investors.

Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Le Cong Thanh, representing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, suggested that the implementation of the project should include careful assessments of its impact on the environment, nature conservation, and marine resources and environment. He also recommended more concrete evaluations of the planning and land use in the area surrounding the project, as well as its compatibility with the overall planning of the region.

The People’s Committee of Ho Chi Minh City affirmed and committed that the detailed assessment of the project’s environmental impact would be carefully studied and evaluated during the preparation of the project’s feasibility report, in accordance with environmental laws. They ensured that there would be no impact on the Can Gio Mangrove Biosphere Reserve.

Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee, Bui Xuan Cuong, reported and discussed specific issues related to planning, changes in forest coverage during project implementation, and traffic connectivity. He also addressed the mobilization and allocation of capital for the project’s components.

Emphasizing the lengthy duration of the project, Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Hoang Minh requested that the project report clarify the trends in technological development and the issues of technology transfer for the project’s components. He cautioned against the risk of outdated technology due to insufficient forecasting during the long implementation period.

Concluding the meeting, the Deputy Prime Minister assigned the Ministry of Planning and Investment to coordinate with relevant ministries and sectors to review the synchronization and consistency of the project with related planning. He urged them to promptly complete the necessary documentation for the appraisal and approval of the investment proposal. He also emphasized the need to clarify specific objectives for each phase and the “project life cycle” in accordance with legal regulations, and to supplement requirements and orientations for the transfer of modern technology.