AFD speeds up water management project in Dien Bien

The French Development Agency (AFD) pledged 1,390 billion VND for a water management project in Dien Bien, helping 35,000 people adapt to climate change.

Recently, during a working session with the Dien Bien Provincial People's Committee, the French Development Agency (AFD) delegation, led by Director Julien Seillan, pledged to continue to accompany the province and provide technical and financial support to accelerate progress on water management and multi-hazard projects.

According to a report by the Dien Bien Department of Agriculture and Environment, the AFD-funded Integrated Water Resources Management Project for domestic use, climate change adaptation, and socio-economic development in Tuan Giao district had its proposal approved by the Prime Minister in 2024. The construction investment project was approved by the Dien Bien Provincial People's Committee in Decision No. 1139/QD-UBND dated June 6, 2025.

The project includes structural and non-structural components, with a total investment of nearly 1,390 billion VND, and is located in the former Tuan Giao district, which now comprises Tuan Giao, Muong Mun, Pu Nhung, Chieng Sinh, Tua Chua and Sang Nhe communes. It is expected to be implemented over four years from the signing of the agreement (2026-2029 period).

At the meeting, AFD Vietnam Director Julien Seillan highly appreciated the proactiveness and efforts of Dien Bien province in coordinating to prepare the necessary conditions. AFD is committed to continuing its companionship and providing technical and financial support for Dien Bien to accelerate water management and multi-hazard projects in the province.

The project aims to provide a stable water supply, regulate flow, and reduce disaster risks. It will increase crop yields and create conditions for developing and expanding the area under perennial industrial crops like macadamia, thereby enhancing the agricultural economic value of Tuan Giao district. This encourages locals to shift their crop structures from traditional crops to sustainable, high-value farming models.

In addition, the project contributes to the creation of a domestic water supply for 35,000 residents and 21,000 hectares of agricultural land, in line with Tuan Giao district's development orientation. It will gradually complete the irrigation infrastructure system, connect the water regulation network across sub-regions, and create favorable conditions for exploitation, management and operation, while adapting to climate change in Tuan Giao district and Dien Bien province.

Standing Vice Chairman of Dien Bien Provincial People's Committee Lo Van Cuong affirmed that Dien Bien province will direct relevant departments and sectors to urgently coordinate with AFD to complete the prescribed dossiers and procedures for implementing the project.

He assigned the Department of Agriculture and Environment and the Management Board for Agriculture and Rural Development Projects of Dien Bien province to proactively review and supplement the necessary contents, and promptly submit them to the Ministry of Finance for reporting to the Prime Minister for consideration and decision.

Regarding the Nam Rom River Multi-Hazard Project, the Standing Vice Chairman agreed on the policy to research, supplement and complete the lighting system along the route. This aims to improve the project's exploitation efficiency, ensure urban aesthetics, promote landscape value, and contribute to boosting socio-economic development in Dien Bien.

$ 1 = VND 26,423 - Source: Vietcombank.

Hong Ngoc