Determined to complete the projects on schedule

Chairman Vu Dai Thang and a working delegation inspected the Me Tri regulating lake project, also known as Dong Bong 2 Lake, in Dai Mo Ward. They also reviewed works on Vo Chi Cong Street under the Thuy Phuong canal renovation project, which aims to replenish water for the To Lich River and reduce localized flooding in areas such as Resco, Ecohome, the Diplomatic Corps, Tay Ho Tay and Ciputra.Hanoi Chairman Vu Dai Thang and the working delegation inspect progress at the construction site of the Me Tri regulating lake investment and construction project, also known as Dong Bong 2 Lake. Photo: Le Hai

The latest report shows that the Dong Bong 2 Lake project is one of Hanoi's emergency works serving flood prevention and drainage efforts. Construction began in late February 2026 and about 65% of the work has now been completed. The main items are being carried out simultaneously and are on track with the planned schedule.

For the embankment surrounding the lake, the contractor expects to substantially complete the work around April 25. Excavation of the lake bed will be completed before April 30. For the auxiliary works system, including regulating culverts, conveyance culverts and drainage structures, five of the six items have been completed, while the remaining item is expected to be finished within about one week.

The main items of the Me Tri regulating lake investment and construction project, also known as Dong Bong 2 Lake, are being carried out simultaneously by the contractor and are on track with the planned schedule. Photo: Le Hai

The Me Tri regulating lake investment and construction project, also known as Dong Bong 2 Lake, began in late February 2026 and about 65% of the work has now been completed. Photo: Le Hai

At this pace, after April 30, 2026, Dong Bong 2 Lake will be able to begin performing its water regulation function during heavy rain, helping reduce pressure on the area's drainage system. On the project's impact, a representative of the project management board said the lake has a maximum capacity of about 600,000 cubic meters, including a regulating capacity of about 500,000 cubic meters. Once completed, the project will help address about six flooding points out of more than 200 flooding points across the city, especially in the western area.

However, the project has also faced considerable difficulties during implementation. The biggest challenge at present is transporting materials in the inner city, where traffic density is high and congestion is frequent, limiting construction time. In addition, fluctuations in fuel and material prices, especially higher gasoline and oil prices, have created major pressure for contractors. The project management board has asked the city to consider an appropriate price adjustment mechanism to help remove difficulties for the construction units.

Hanoi Chairman Vu Dai Thang and the working delegation inspect the construction site of the Thuy Phuong canal renovation project on the section along Vo Chi Cong Street. Photo: Le Hai

The Thuy Phuong canal renovation project is being implemented by the Hanoi People's Committee under an emergency works mechanism, with a total investment of more than VND920 billion (US$36.8 million) from the city budget. The project runs through Dong Ngac, Xuan Dinh and Nghia Do wards to provide drainage for a basin of about 350 hectares, ensure stable water replenishment for the To Lich River at a flow of 5 cubic meters per second and serve irrigation for about 36 hectares of agricultural land.

So far, overall construction progress for the project has reached about 50% of contract volume. For the nearly 4-kilometer pipeline route carrying water to the To Lich River, progress still varies by section. The Hoang Minh Thao section has completed about 60% of sheet pile pressing volume and 31% of box culvert construction. 

The Vo Chi Cong section has completed about 39% of sheet pile pressing and 19% of prefabricated culvert installation, while underground jacking is also underway. More than 400 workers and hundreds of machines and pieces of equipment, such as excavators, pile presses and transport vehicles, have been mobilized for continuous construction.

However, implementation has encountered many obstacles due to overlapping technical infrastructure, including electricity, water and telecommunications, as well as intersections with other projects, especially in the Resco urban area. In addition, fluctuations in material and fuel prices and overloaded dumping sites have also affected progress.

Under the plan, the main items serving flood prevention will be completed before April 30, 2026, including the pumping station, the open canal route and about 2 kilometers of box culverts on Hoang Minh Thao Street. All items serving water replenishment for the To Lich River are expected to be completed before May 31, 2026.

Ensuring construction quality and labor safety

During the field inspection of the two emergency projects, including the Thuy Phuong canal renovation and the construction of Dong Bong 2 Lake, Chairman Vu Dai Thang acknowledged and highly appreciated the responsibility and efforts of the investor, contractors and local authorities in areas along the projects for carrying out a large amount of work in a short period of time.

The chairman emphasized that these are two projects of particularly important significance for the capital's drainage infrastructure system. They will not only help reduce localized flooding in the western and northwestern parts of the city but also gradually improve the environment and replenish water for the To Lich River, one of the urgent and long-term tasks in Hanoi's urban improvement efforts.

"Completing these works on schedule will directly support flood prevention during the 2026 rainy season, while improving residents' quality of life and laying the groundwork for sustainable urban development," Chairman Thang stressed.

Sharing the difficulties and challenges facing the units, especially fluctuations and increases in material prices, supply shortages and problems with construction sites, the chairman requested relevant departments, agencies and local authorities to step in more decisively and proactively coordinate closely with the investor and contractors to remove each bottleneck in a timely manner.

This includes focusing on completely resolving overlapping technical infrastructure problems, accelerating the relocation of electricity, water and telecommunications systems and at the same-time studying and proposing solutions to stabilize material supply and arrange suitable dumping sites to ensure continuous construction conditions.

Chairman Thang also asked contractors to maximize their capacity, increase manpower and equipment and organize "three shifts, four crews" at favorable locations, take advantage of the weather and accelerate key work items. At the same time, they must pay special attention to ensuring construction quality, labor safety and environmental sanitation and must not sacrifice the project's long-term quality in the race to meet deadlines.

Emphasizing the deadlines for completing the main items before April 30 and May 31, 2026, the chairman requested all relevant units to treat this as a key and urgent task requiring maximum concentration to finish on schedule. "Progress is an order, quality is a mandatory requirement," he said, while affirming that the city will accompany the projects and create all favorable conditions for them to finish on time and deliver practical results as early as this year's rainy season.