Viet Nam : Greater Mekong Subregion Corridor Towns Development Project

Transport / Urban roads and traffic management - Water transport (non-urban)

Water and other urban infrastructure and services / Urban flood protection - Urban policy, institutional and capacity development - Urban sewerage - Urban solid waste management - Urban water supply

Strategic economic development. Improved transport connectivity among GMS countries has intensified urban links and established a solid foundation for more efficient movement of people, goods, and services. It has led to significantly increased trade and commerce in border districts and corridor towns. The towns and cities along the SEC and EWEC, which link Viet Nam with Cambodia and the Lao PDR, are well positioned to serve as dynamic centers of investment and economic growth. Given the tremendous economic opportunities, the corridor towns face the challenge of meeting the demands for urban infrastructure and essential support services which are a result of rapid urban population growth and urban expansion. With the proper enabling environment for strategic local economic development, provision of adequate infrastructure, and institutional capacity to manage future development, the corridor towns are expected to attract public sector investments in urban environment infrastructure and encourage private sector interest in urban economic infrastructure.

This project is phase 1 of a long-term engagement in GMS economic corridor towns, and is aligned with the strategic framework of the GMS Economic Cooperation Program, 20122022, approved by the Fourth GMS Summit on 1920 December 2011. It is also in line with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) country partnership strategy, 20122015 for Viet Nam, and supports ADB's urban operational plan, 20122020 and water operational plan, 20112020.

Dong Ha City, Lao Bao, and Moc Bai become dynamic economic growth centers in EWEC and SEC

Urban infrastructure and services are adequate and operate efficiently in Dong Ha City, Lao Bao, and Moc Bai

1. SLEDPs are adopted and implemented in Dong Ha City, Lao Bao, and Moc Bai

2. Priority urban infrastructure implemented

3. Institutional capacities strengthened

1. SLEDPs prepared in 2012 will be updated.

2. Construction are on-going. The overall progress achieved 50%.

3.1 Capacity development and training: As of June 2018, 1165 staff was provided with training, coaching on project management and implementation. financial and procurement management, and social and environment safeguards.

3.2 Dong Ha Master Plan preparation: topographical survey and socio-economic survey completed in April 2018. The 1st consultation workshop on the draft report was held in February 2018. The final workshop is planned in December 2018.

3.3 Female staff involvement in operation and management: target of 30% over achieved.

Issues: The project requires a 2 year extension to complete the on-going activities. Internal process for the extension is taking place.

The environment category for the project is B, as the proposed subprojects are not expected to have irreversible adverse environmental impacts; any impacts are easily mitigated. Initial environmental examinations (IEEs) conducted for all the project cities identified potential impacts and mitigation measures to be implemented through environmental management plans (EMPs). The IEEs also included inputs from public consultations. The IEEs are in accordance with the ADB Safeguard Policy Statement (2009) and the applicable environmental regulations of the Government of Viet Nam. At the detailed design stage, when the EMPs are finalized and updated, the final receiving environments for the wastewater treatment plants and landfill will be reviewed to ensure that local groundwater and human uses of the areas are not adversely affected.

The final EMP, cleared by ADB, will form part of the contract bidding documents. Environmental considerations during design and allocation of sufficient budget for operation and maintenance (O&M) will help mitigate potential adverse impacts during operation. Effective environmental monitoring at all stages of subproject implementation will be ensured. In compliance with ADB's information disclosure and consultation requirements, the safeguard documents will be posted on ADB's website.

The safeguard category for involuntary resettlement is A. Three resettlement plans have been prepared for the subprojects which will have land acquisition and resettlement impacts. Project information has been disclosed to affected people throughout project preparation and a project information booklet will be updated and distributed during detailed measurement survey.

Resettlement and environment documents have been prepared in consultation with local communities, agreeing with ADB's Safeguard Policy Statement and Government Decree No. 69, 2009 which govern resettlement and compensation.

The Project will provide management support and assistance to the EAs in Quang Tri Province and in Tay Ninh Province through the respective Project Management Units (PMUs). This is intended to ensure that project implementation will fully comply with the national government regulations and with ADB's policies and operational requirements in terms of financial management, fund disbursement, procurement procedures, social and environment safeguards, and operation and maintenance (O&M).

A team of international and national consultants have been engaged by the EA to provide management support and capacity development during project implementation. Recruitment of other consulting services currently ongoing.