The Ministry of Construction has confirmed plans to launch a project to modernize inland waterways in the south of the country by the end of 2026, with a budget of $168.8 million.
The project aims to modernize a key logistics route connecting the Mekong Delta with the ports of Ho Chi Minh City - one of the busiest cargo destinations in Vietnam. Construction is scheduled to begin at the end of 2026 and be completed by 2030.
The project plans to expand and deepen sections of canals and rivers, modernize navigation infrastructure, and improve the capacity of waterways. This will increase the volume of transportation between the industrial zones of the south of the country, agricultural regions, and ports.
According to authorities, the modernization of the water corridor will help reduce business transportation costs and reduce the load on highways. Water transport remains one of the cheapest ways to transport goods, especially for agricultural products and consumer goods.
The southern regions of Vietnam actively use a network of rivers and canals for logistics, but a significant part of the infrastructure was built decades ago and needs to be updated. The growth of industrial production and exports is increasing the load on existing transport routes.
The development of inland waterways is seen as part of a broader program to modernize the country's transport infrastructure. In recent years, the authorities have been actively investing in the construction of ports, highways, and airports to support economic growth and the expansion of foreign trade.
Infrastructure projects of this scale can also stimulate the development of logistics centers, industrial zones, and investment projects in regions connected to the main transport corridors.