Ho Chi Minh City Proposes $370M Canal Upgrade Project

File photo for reference only

Ho Chi Minh City authorities have proposed a VND9.2 trillion (US$370 million) project to dredge and upgrade the Ba Lon Canal to address increasing flooding and pollution in the southern parts of the city. The initiative seeks immediate approval from the municipal People's Council with the aim to protect the fast-urbanizing areas from severe water-related issues. Once approved, this project is expected to significantly improve flood resilience and promote sustainable urban growth.

The Ba Lon Canal, one of the city's seven key drainage routes, stretches 7.4 km from the Doi Canal in former District 8 to the Ba Lao Canal in the former Binh Chanh district. The upgrade will include full dredging of the canal, construction of nearly 10 kilometers of embankments, a new 1km road, and the Ba Lon 2 Bridge over National Highway 50. With an estimated total investment of VND9.23 trillion, the project designates over VND6.6 trillion for land clearance and resettlement, about VND2 trillion for construction, and the remaining for consulting and contingency expenses.

Years of encroachment, waste disposal, and unchecked construction have clogged the Ba Lon Canal, leading to significant drainage bottlenecks, particularly between Ba Tang Bridge and Binh Dong Temple. City planners emphasize its critical role in stormwater management as part of the official flood-control master plan. If given the green light, project work could commence shortly and extend through 2030, operating alongside the nearly finished VND10 trillion tide-control project, enhancing the city's ability to handle floods, VN Express.

Key Takeaways:

• The Ba Lon Canal project is part of a series of major anti-flooding efforts in Ho Chi Minh City.
• The initiative will involve substantial land clearance and the construction of a new bridge and road.
• If approved, construction could begin soon and provide long-term flood resilience by 2030.

Click here for more Vietnam stories

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from VN Express 2025-11-13