Dien Bien accelerates ODA projects for climate change adaptation

In the context of the increasingly urgent need to invest in disaster-prevention infrastructure, water resource management, and rural development, ODA projects are playing an important role in promoting sustainable development in Dien Bien province. To accelerate implementation, remove bottlenecks, and expand future cooperation orientations, Mr. Le Van Luong, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the Dien Bien Provincial People’s Committee, led a provincial delegation to hold working sessions with the French Development Agency (AFD) and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in Hanoi.

The working sessions clearly demonstrated Dien Bien's proactive and determined approach to coordinating with international organizations, particularly major sponsors such as AFD and JICA, to accelerate progress and improve the effectiveness of ODA projects currently underway and those to be implemented in the province.

At AFD headquarters in Hanoi, Chairman of the Provincial People’s Committee Le Van Luong met directly with Mr. Julien Seillan, Country Director of AFD in Viet Nam, to discuss the implementation status of the Nam Rom River Basin Multi-Disaster Management Project, one of the province's key ODA projects.

The project has a total investment of more than USD 37.2 million, of which ODA loans from AFD account for approximately USD 25.2 million. Its objectives are to protect livelihoods, adapt to climate change, and contribute to socio-economic development in Dien Bien Phu city and surrounding areas.

The project comprises three major components with seven construction packages, including embankments to prevent erosion along the Nam Rom River, widening the river channel and dredging selected sections, and building two water-raising dams upstream of the C4 bridge. To date, all seven construction packages have commenced, with implementation value of USD 14.6 million out of USD 23.2 million, representing 62.8% of the contract value.

Chairman of the Dien Bien Provincial People’s Committee Le Van Luong requested that AFD continue to accompany the province, provide technical support, and promptly address emerging difficulties. These efforts aim to ensure that the project is completed on schedule and effectively contributes to disaster prevention and improvements in the province’s irrigation infrastructure and urban environment.

At the meeting, the two sides also discussed the Integrated Water Resources Management Project for livelihoods, climate change adaptation, and socio-economic development in the former Tuan Giao district. This is a very large-scale project with a total investment of approximately USD 52.6 million, including about USD 39.3 million in ODA loans from AFD.

The project is expected to build a reservoir with a capacity of 6.2 million m³, supplying domestic water for 35,000 people and ensuring irrigation for 21,000 ha of agricultural land across communes in the former Tuan Giao district. Upon completion, it will become the largest irrigation and clean water project in the district. The project has been approved by the Provincial People’s Committee. Dien Bien province is currently expediting the completion of dossiers and accelerating submission to the Ministry of Finance for appraisal of the re-lending plan to timely participate in loan agreement negotiations scheduled for early January 2026.

The provincial leader affirmed that Dien Bien will continue to coordinate closely with AFD to ensure procedures are implemented on schedule, facilitating smooth signing, disbursement, and project implementation at the earliest opportunity.

Subsequently, the provincial delegation worked with JICA. Chairman of the Provincial People’s Committee Le Van Luong paid a courtesy visit to Mr. Kobayashi Yosuke, Chief Representative of JICA in Vietnam. He held detailed discussions on the Disaster-Resilient Rural Development Project in Dien Bien province, which is projected to use ODA funding from JICA.

The project comprises 34 sub-projects, aiming to enhance disaster resilience and improve livelihoods for rural communities through the construction and upgrading of 205 km of transport roads, ensuring irrigation water for 3,132 ha of rice, and building 21.8 km of river and stream embankments in multiple vulnerable areas. The project has been assigned by the Provincial People’s Committee to specialized agencies for appraisal and is expected to be approved in January 2026. This is a crucial step for the province to finalize procedures and move toward negotiations on funding with JICA in the near term.

In addition to projects currently under preparation for implementation, Mr. Le Van Luong suggested that JICA consider providing ODA loans for the Inter-Regional Irrigation System Investment Project to support crop restructuring and climate change adaptation. The project aims to construct a cluster of four reservoirs in the communes of Na Sang, Sin Thau, Na Bung, and Si Pa Phin, with a total capacity of approximately 35 million m³. Once completed, the inter-regional irrigation system is expected to deliver significant benefits, including supplying irrigation water for 31,000 ha of agricultural land, ensuring domestic water for 50,000 people, and contributing to flood mitigation in downstream areas.

Mr. Kobayashi Yosuke expressed his interest in the proposal and requested that Dien Bien province submit an official document to JICA for consideration and a decision on support.

The working sessions with AFD and JICA underscore Dien Bien province’s strong efforts to mobilize international resources for socio-economic development, particularly as the province focuses on completing irrigation, transport, and disaster-prevention infrastructure.

The Chairman of the Dien Bien Provincial People’s Committee emphasized that Dien Bien consistently values and is committed to closely supporting sponsors throughout project implementation. The province will ensure on-schedule disbursement, strengthen quality management and construction supervision, and optimize the effective use of ODA funds, thereby fully meeting the expectations of international organizations.

Representatives of AFD and JICA expressed their goodwill for long-term cooperation with Dien Bien province, particularly in areas such as water resource management, disaster prevention and control, infrastructure development, and sustainable rural development. The working sessions between the Chairman of the Dien Bien Provincial People’s Committee and the two international development agencies have opened up many new opportunities for the province to mobilize resources, accelerate implementation progress, and enhance the effectiveness of ODA projects. This represents an important step toward completing essential infrastructure systems, improving local livelihoods, and creating a solid foundation for socio-economic development in the coming years.

Strengthening cooperation with AFD and JICA not only reflects Dien Bien's proactive approach to international integration but also affirms the province's determination to accelerate key programs and projects, moving toward the goal of sustainable, comprehensive, and long-term development.