HCMC – The HCMC Management Board of Investment and Construction of Traffic Projects completed upgrading a section of the Hang Bang Canal in District 5 today, January 17, marking progress in the city’s effort to reduce urban waterway pollution and enhance living conditions.

This newly improved 250-meter section cost VND633 billion, with VND33 billion allocated for construction and VND600 billion for land compensation. The canal, spanning 1.7 kilometers between the Tan Hoa–Lo Gom Canal and the Tau Hu Canal, has long suffered from pollution due to waste and sewage discharge. Approved in 2016, the project is funded by a Japanese ODA loan through JICA and reciprocal capital from the city’s budget. The latest upgrade features an open trapezoidal canal design, green spaces along its banks, and improved infrastructure on surrounding streets. The restoration is part of a phased initiative to rejuvenate the entire canal. A 500-meter section in District 6 is currently under development, with an investment of VND1.25 trillion, primarily allocated for land clearance. The final 730-meter stretch from Binh Tien Street to Mai Xuan Thuong Street will require VND2.4 trillion and involve the relocation of 391 households. This phase is slated for completion between 2025 and 2028. The project aims to improve the urban environment and bolster the city’s flood resilience. Complementary infrastructure upgrades, including roads and bridges, are expected to be finalized before the 2025 Lunar New Year.