The project appraisal in 2010 saw the North–South Economic Corridor (NSEC), which connects Greater Mekong Subregion countries and southeastern People’s Republic of China (PRC), as a dynamic area of development. Its eastern branch, which links Kunming and Nanning in the PRC to Ha Noi and northern Viet Nam, was experiencing rapid growth due to increasing investments, cross-border trade, and flow of people and goods. However, growing traffic and trade was also triggering a largely uncontrolled urban sprawl in the corridor towns and cities, exerting mounting pressure on existing infrastructure, services, and the environment.
To prevent the situation from deteriorating, the government of Viet Nam requested the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to finance the Comprehensive Socioeconomic Urban Development Project in Viet Tri, Hung Yen, and Dong Dang. In response, ADB approved in September 2011 a $70 million loan for the project. The project was designed to contribute to a more balanced development by diverting rural migration away from the NSEC metropolitan areas and providing jobs and better living conditions to the migrants. Its anticipated impact was the development of Viet Tri, Hung Yen, and Dong Dang towns as economic centers in northern Viet Nam. Its expected outcome was improved urban infrastructure and municipal services in Viet Tri, Hung Yen, and Dong Dang. It had eight planned outputs, one of which was to be supported by the Export–Import Bank of Korea through parallel financing.
All ADB-financed outputs were achieved satisfactorily within the original time frame. In Viet Tri, northwest of Ha Noi: (i) 14.5 kilometers (km) of roads, connecting the city to an expressway; 2 river dikes; and the Thuy Van Industrial Zone were built; and (ii) a fleet of compactor trucks to collect and transport municipal solid waste, and hand carts for local area garbage collection were provided.
In Hung Yen, an old historical and cultural site between Ha Noi and the northeastern coastal city of Hai Phong: (i) water supply pipes were installed; 5.3 km of roads were built or upgraded, along with associated drainage and sewerage mains and underground utility ducts to protect the area from floods; and (ii) a 3.3 km university road and associated drainage were likewise constructed.
In Dong Dang, Lang Son province: (i) facilities were improved at the Huu Nghi border gate, which handles about 70% of PRC−Viet Nam freight and passenger transits along NSEC, including the construction of 2.6 km of roads with associated drainage, a 1.9-hectare parking area, and a 9,980- square meter border gate building; and (iii) drainage and flood protection facilities were improved, and equipment for operation and maintenance of the facilities were provided.
Gender equality results, mainstreamed into all the components, raised gender awareness and ensured women’s participation in project activities and benefits, resulting in socioeconomic gains, improved capacities, and changed perceptions about women. Meeting 80% of its outcome targets, the project succeeded in providing Viet Tri, Hung Yen, and Dong Dang with the necessary infrastructure and services to develop into sustainable cities while supporting NSEC transformation into a fully functioning regional economic corridor. At project completion review, the completed roads in Viet Tri and Hung Yen were already being well utilized; the old town infrastructure upgrading in Hung Yen has improved amenity and increased tourism; and the new border gate and drainage works in Dong Dang has enhanced convenience and environmental conditions.
The Phu Tho, Hung Yen, and Lang Son provincial people’s committees (PPCs) were the project executing agencies. Provincial project management units, with permanent staff, served as implementing agencies.
