HCMC - HCMC has started work on the long-awaited Xuyen Tam canal rehabilitation project, with a total investment of over VND17 trillion.

The groundbreaking ceremony was held this morning, May 10, by the Urban Infrastructure Construction Investment Project Management Unit. The project includes the renovation of the main canal route, which stretches more than 6.6 kilometers from the Nhieu Loc-Thi Nghe Canal to the Vam Thuat River, and three tributaries – Cau Son, Binh Loi, and Binh Trieu – totaling over 2.2 kilometers in length. It will involve dredging the canal to a depth of 3.5 meters, widening it to between 20 and 30 meters, and developing an integrated system for stormwater and wastewater collection to reduce pollution and improve environmental conditions. The Xuyen Tam Canal renovation project was approved by the HCMC People’s Council in October 2023 with an initial investment of over VND9.66 trillion, of which nearly VND6.4 trillion was allocated for compensation, support, and resettlement. By September 2024, the council approved an increase in total investment to more than VND17.2 trillion, an adjustment of over VND7.5 trillion, mainly to cover site clearance costs. The project will require the acquisition of 197,349 square meters of land, affecting 2,215 households, including 138 in Go Vap District and 2,077 in Binh Thanh District. The canal has severely deteriorated over the years, with pollution, stagnant water, and waste buildup causing frequent flooding, poor sanitation, and significant disruption to local residents’ lives. Once completed, the project will help address environmental pollution, improve drainage to prevent flooding, collect wastewater for treatment at the city’s facility, and enhance urban landscaping along the Xuyen Tam Canal.