Vietnam's Nha Trang plans nearly $303mn flood control project

The provincial People's Committee Office said on Tuesday that the Department of Finance had been tasked with coordinating with relevant agencies to seek opinions on the investment policy for the western Nha Trang flood-control system project.

Nguyen Thanh Hien, director of the Khanh Hoa Provincial Development Project Management Board, said western Nha Trang, including Tay Nha Trang and Nam Nha Trang Wards and areas adjacent to the former Dien Khanh District, is a low-lying area downstream of the Cai River.

The area is frequently affected by heavy rain, flash floods and high tides, with flooding causing significant damage to people and property.

Floods between 2020 and 2025, particularly the historic flooding in November 2025, caused severe losses in the area.

Urban development has narrowed and fragmented natural waterways, reducing their capacity to drain floodwaters.

This has created an urgent need to invest in a flood-control system in western Nha Trang to restore waterways, improve flood drainage and support sustainable urban development.

What will the $303-million project do?

According to Hien, the project is expected to improve flood drainage, minimize damage caused by natural disasters, restore and expand natural flood drainage areas, and improve safety and quality of life for local residents.

It will also develop key technical infrastructure and create conditions for urban development and the development of land along both sides of rivers, supporting sustainable development.

According to a proposal from the Khanh Hoa Provincial Development Project Management Board, the project will cost nearly VND8 trillion, including more than VND1.6 trillion ($60.6 million) for compensation, support and resettlement.

The project is scheduled for implementation from 2026 to 2031.

It will involve building new sections, dredging and widening narrowed sections of the Quan Truong River, Tac River, Vinh Thai-Vinh Hiep Canal, Dien An-Tac River Canal and Vinh Trung-Tac River Canal, as well as the Suoi Dau and Dong Den Rivers.

The project will also include new connecting canals, anti-erosion embankments, riverside roads and landscaping to help reduce severe flooding.

The project is expected to gradually restore river sections in western Nha Trang that have been encroached upon and lost their flood drainage capacity, connect major river systems, and provide a basis for developing smaller urban drainage networks.

It will also help distribute floodwaters from the Cai River toward the Cua Be river mouth to the south in Nam Nha Trang Ward.

The project is expected to facilitate inland waterway connections between the Cai River and Cua Be river mouth and support tourism and service development along the Quan Truong and Tac Rivers.

An estimated 376 households will be affected, with more than 254 hectares of land subject to acquisition.

Meanwhile, KVG Housing Investment and Development Joint Stock Company has recently submitted a proposal to the Khanh Hoa People's Committee to invest in the D25 Road and Vinh Trung flood drainage canal project.

The project is intended to help address localized flooding in parts of Nha Trang, improve traffic connectivity and develop urban space along the route.

According to KVG's proposal, the project will have a total length of about 3.6 kilometers, starting at the intersection with Vo Nguyen Giap Street in Tay Nha Trang Ward and ending at National Highway 1 near the Vy Lam rest stop in Dien Dien Commune.

The project is estimated to cost VND4.354 trillion ($164.9 million) and is scheduled for implementation from 2027 to 2029.

The Khanh Hoa People's Committee has allowed the company to conduct research and prepare a proposal for the project's investment policy for consideration by the competent authorities in accordance with regulations.