Vietnam's Khanh Hoa seeks $200mn gov't-backed funding for Nha Trang flood drainage project

In a proposal submitted to Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, the provincial People's Committee said western Nha Trang, including Tay Nha Trang and Nam Nha Trang Wards and neighboring areas bordering Dien Khanh, is a low-lying downstream zone of the Cai River that is highly vulnerable to heavy rain, flash floods, and tidal surges.

The area has suffered repeated flooding between 2020 and 2025, causing serious losses of life and property.

The most severe incident occurred from November 16 to 22 this year, when prolonged downpours and widespread flooding killed 22 people, injured 20 others, destroyed 115 houses, and severely damaged 922 more.

Authorities estimate total losses from the November floods at more than VND5.716 trillion ($217 million), excluding damage to private household property.

Provincial officials said the scale of the damage highlights the urgent need for a comprehensive and synchronized flood drainage system to protect residents, restore natural water flows, stabilize urban development, and ensure long-term sustainability in the fast-growing coastal locality.

The proposal follows Government Resolution No. 380, issued on November 25, 2025, which allows localities unable to balance disaster recovery funding to request support from the central budget.

Based on this mechanism, Khanh Hoa has asked the central government to draw from the 2025 central budget contingency reserve to finance the western Nha Trang flood drainage project.

The proposed project would cover seven major rivers and canals with a combined length of about 23 kilometers across western Nha Trang wards and communes.

Key components include upgrades and new construction along the upper Quan Truong River and the Tac River, with estimated investments of VND1.421 trillion ($54 million) and VND699 billion ($26.5 million), respectively.

Additional works would renovate the Vinh Thai-Vinh Hiep Canal, the Dien An-Tac River Canal, and the Vinh Trung-Tac River Canal, requiring investments of VND571 billion, VND564 billion, and VND434 billion, equivalent to about $22 million, $21.4 million, and $16.5 million.

Other components include development of the lower Tac-Quan Truong River section and the Quan Truong River itself, with total planned investments of VND282 billion ($11 million) and VND1.314 trillion ($50 million).

Khanh Hoa has previously invested nearly VND687 billion ($26 million) in two flood control projects aimed at reducing flooding in western Nha Trang.

One project received about VND590 billion ($22 million), while another flood drainage project valued at more than VND115.9 billion ($4 million) was completed in 2019.

However, nearly six years later, the latter project has yet to be officially accepted and handed over for operation due to unresolved technical deficiencies, limiting its effectiveness in preventing flooding.