“After Mastering ‘Water Management’ in China, Vietnam’s Tunnel King Heads to South Korea to Study the Han River Project, Preparing for the $13 Billion Red River Initiative”

According to Deo Ca Group, Mr. Ho Minh Hoang, Chairman of the Board of Directors, recently held a meeting with Mr. Oh Se-hoon, Mayor of Seoul, attended by Mr. Vu Ho, Vietnamese Ambassador to South Korea.

The visit took place as Deo Ca Group is expanding international cooperation and seeking expertise to implement large-scale infrastructure projects.

Currently, the Deo Ca – Van Phu consortium has been tasked with researching and proposing the Red River Avenue – Landscape project, with a total investment of 300 trillion VND (excluding land clearance costs).

The project includes a riverside avenue for motor vehicles, an urban railway system, and green spaces along both riverbanks. Construction is scheduled to begin in January 2026 and be completed before 2030, requiring significant domestic and international resources.

During their inspection along the Han River in Seoul, the Deo Ca Group delegation observed several elevated sections with well-designed structures. Solutions to lower elevations help preserve the landscape on both banks and ensure clearance with existing bridges. Some sections have dense pillar spacing, with over 30 river-crossing bridges, increasing concrete structural volume.

According to South Korean experts, the Han River avenue project was renovated in 2007 when technical conditions and design standards did not allow for advanced technologies like TBM (Tunnel Boring Machine) tunneling, which minimizes environmental impact. These experiences are valuable references for Deo Ca Group to apply appropriate technical solutions to the Red River project.

The Deo Ca Chairman also discussed flood management strategies with South Korean experts, including scenarios with water flow exceeding 3,000 m³/second during the rainy season. Solutions include constructing upstream reservoirs to control flow, reducing pressure on the Han River’s downstream, and regularly dredging riverbeds and canals to enhance flood drainage and minimize urban flooding.

The delegation also showed interest in Seoul’s wastewater treatment model and riverside vegetation management, which effectively improve water quality and create a “green tourism” space attracting visitors.

In discussions on sustainable urban transportation development, Seoul authorities shared their experience in operating the Han River avenue, such as developing riverside bus networks and studying monorail systems to increase public transport capacity, reduce private vehicles, and alleviate congestion. This approach aligns with Deo Ca Group’s proposal for the Red River Avenue – Landscape project.

Deo Ca Group proposed that Mayor Oh Se-hoon facilitate connections with South Korean companies experienced in riverfront urban investment, design, and development. They also urged the Vietnamese Embassy in South Korea and both governments to expand cooperation in investment, construction, workforce training, and technology transfer, laying the groundwork for future large-scale infrastructure projects.

Previously, the Deo Ca Group delegation met with POSCO to discuss cooperation opportunities in the Red River Avenue – Landscape project and other PPP infrastructure projects. POSCO is expected to provide steel construction solutions, modular technology, and materials for railway, bridge, and tunnel projects in Vietnam. Deo Ca Group is also promoting partnerships with South Korean firms like Yooshin Engineering, Hoban Construction, and KIND.

In June 2025, the consortium led by Deo Ca Group conducted a field survey in Chongqing, China, to study infrastructure development models integrated with urban planning, transportation connectivity, and river management. The delegation focused on flood control solutions for the Yangtze and Jialing Rivers, renowned for harmonizing modern transportation technology with natural landscapes.