Hanoi’s long-stalled inland port projects remain abandoned for nearly a decade

The My Dinh ICD project in Duc Thuong Commune, Hoai Duc District covers 18 hectares and was originally launched in early 2017 with a planned capacity of 150,000 TEUs per year and an investment of over VND1.7 trillion (US$65.3 million).

The first phase was scheduled to go into operation by 2018, with the full facility operational by 2020.

However, the site now lies deserted.

A Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper visit on Tuesday found the entrance road riddled with potholes and standing water.

A weathered gate labeled ‘My Dinh ICD Port’ stands in the middle of an empty lot, surrounded by overgrown grass, scattered construction materials, and no visible activity.

Inside the site, weeds have grown taller than an adult, while stacks of steel bars, concrete pipes, and other unused materials sit idle—evidence of the project’s prolonged dormancy.

Similarly, the Co Bi ICD project in Gia Lam District remains fenced off and in disrepair.

Several sections of the perimeter barriers have collapsed, and large parts of the land are waterlogged and overrun with vegetation.

Locals have freely repurposed parts of the site for duck grazing.

The Co Bi ICD project was planned as a key logistics hub to serve the southeast Hanoi economic corridor, with a projected capacity of 300,000 TEUs annually by 2020 and 500,000 TEUs by 2030.

Backed by more than VND2.56 trillion ($98.4 million) in investment, the project was approved in 2016 with ICD Hanoi Co. Ltd. as the investor.

Despite its groundbreaking in 2016, no significant progress has been made.

City leadership issues deadline

In response to the long delay, Hanoi’s deputy chairman Nguyen Manh Quyen recently chaired a meeting to address both projects.

For the My Dinh ICD, authorities ordered immediate action to clear land and resolve compensation issues related to three 110kV power poles within the project area.

The Hanoi Department of Agriculture and Environment was instructed to expedite its assessments and submit revised investment proposals to the municipal Department of Finance for final reporting to the city government.

The project must be completed no later than 2027, officials said.

Regarding the Co Bi ICD, the investor was told to revise land allocation and boundary demarcation documents and complete investment adjustment procedures.

ICD Hanoi Co. Ltd. is required to commit in writing to a new timeline, including breaking ground before June 30, 2025 and completing construction by the second quarter of 2027.