The Vietnamese Ministry of Planning and Investment has approved a US$20.6 million upgrade to the Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) sewerage system.

According to VnExpress, trenchless technologies – such as boring tunnels and using drive and receptor shafts – will be used to upgrade 2.78 km of underground sewers, adding 50 years to the life of the network.

The Ministry of Planning and Investment is seeking US$17.5 million in non-refundable aid from the Japan International Cooperation Agency,
while the remaining will come from the government’s funds. Currently, HCMC has 100 km of concrete sewers dating back to the
French colonial era, which are in urgent need of replacement to prevent flooding.

By reducing the need to dig up the entire length of the sewer, the project will cause fewer road closures and disturbances to residents. The planning, contracting and infrastructure relocation preparations are currently underway and are expected to be completed early 2020.

For more information visit the Ministry of Planning and Investment website.