Can Tho bridge

Construction of Can Tho bridge, which has been delayed due to a serious accident on September 26, should continue in a safe manner and be put on the right track, said Ho Duc Viet, President of the Viet Nam-Japan Parliamentarians Organisation.

Mr Ho Duc Viet made the remarks at a meeting with visiting Japanese Senator and Deputy Foreign Minister Kimura Hitoshi in Ha Noi on December 24.

He praised the Japanese Government’s efforts in addressing the Can Tho bridge collapse, adding that the Viet Nam-Japan Parliamentarians Organisation would help solve the unfortunate problem and make it not to affect the two countries’ relations.

He further informed that his association would take part in organisation of celebration of the 35th anniversary of the Viet Nam-Japan diplomatic ties next year, as well as help boost bilateral relations for the benefit of the two countries and stability and prosperity in Asia .

Mr Ho Duc Viet expressed his wish that Japan would soon recognise Viet Nam ’s as a market-oriented economy, sign the comprehensive economic partnership agreement and give a push to the three major projects: the North-South express railway, the North-South highway and the Hoa Lac hi-tech zone.

Kimura Hitoshi, who is President of Japan’s Forum for Prevention of Reoccurrence of the Can Tho Bridge Collapse on a two day working visit to Viet Nam from December 23, said the Japanese contractors would do their best to provide aid and compensation to the victims’ families.

The 90-m span, which was part of Can Tho bridge's approach road, collapsed on September 26, killing 54 people and injuring 80 others.
The Can Tho Bridge, which links Vinh Long province and Can Tho City across the Hau River , includes a 2.75km main bridge and a 13km approach road. The construction work on the Mekong Delta’s longest bridge started in September 2004 and is expected to be completed in late 2008.

The project has a total investment capital of 295 million USD, including ODA capital from the Japanese government and Viet Nam ’s reciprocal capital.

Source : TBIC