Viet Nam: Paris Agreement Alignment of Mekong Delta Region Master Plan Transport Projects

Transport / Transport policies and institutional development

The Mekong Delta Region is located at the south-west extremity of Viet Nam but is central in its geographical and trading relationship with much of Southeast Asia countries. The Mekong Delta linked to the wider Greater Mekong Subregion through the river and integrated roads. Once dominated by vast wetland areas, including swamps, peatlands, reeds, and mangrove forests, the Mekong Delta Region has been largely converted from this natural land with a high biodiversity into highly productive agricultural land. This conversion was achieved by dredging an intricate network of channels, control structures (large and small sluices and culverts), and embankments along riverbanks to control and manage water resources, primarily for rice production._

The Mekong Delta Region has a network of national and provincial roads, but with limited connectivity in remote areas, especially remote coastal areas. The lack of transport network in the Mekong Delta Region hinders economic development, and the average income levels in the Mekong Delta Region provinces are below national averages._To support improved accessibility to these areas and connectivity to the economic hubs of, for example, Can Tho City and Ho Chi Minh City, with reduced overall travel times, the region needs an improved network of climate-proofed roads suitable to its geographical characteristics. On 28 February 2022, the Government of Viet Nam approved the Planning for Development of the Mekong Delta Region for the 2021-2030 period with vision towards 2050 (Mekong Delta Region Master Plan)._It envisions that, by 2050, the Mekong Delta Region will have economic growth that compares favorably with other regions in the country; be a place worth living for residents and an attractive destination for tourists and investors; accommodate prosperous and dynamic residential communities; ensure important wetland ecosystems are preserved and developed; effectively harness and revitalize natural resources; and sustain rich and diverse cultural identities for sustainable socio-economic development. To help achieve this vision, the government promotes provincial road development along the east coast passing through Tien Giang, Ben Tre, Tra Vinh, Soc Trang, Bac Lieu, Ca Mau, and Kien Giang provinces, and inter-provincial roads through Sa Dec in Dong Thap Province, O Mon in Can Tho Province, and Giong Rieng in Kien Giang Province. The governments in six provinces (Tien Giang, Tra Vinh, Soc Trang, Bac Lieu, Dong Thap, and Kien Giang) are considering applying for ADB's sovereign loans for investment and preparing project proposals for each separate segment.

ADB has committed to align any new projects with the Paris Agreement and to ensure all projects advance low-carbon, climate-resilient development pathways or, at least, projects result in no harm to the Paris Agreement's goals. As this is a new requirement that will apply to all sovereign operations by 1 July 2023, it is urgently needed to develop a reasonable understanding on alignment with the Paris Agreement among project proponent provincial governments. The proposed SSTA will apply the "Joint MDB Assessment Framework for Paris Alignment for Direct Investment Operations" to these proposals and prepare a knowledge product specific to the road network of the Mekong Delta Region on preparing project proposals that align with the Paris Agreement._The SSTA is expected to contribute to achieving the Nationally Determined Contribution of the government of Viet Nam submitted to United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change secretariat in 2022.

Development of the Mekong Delta Region into a sustainable, dynamic, and climate-resilient system of hub centers

Awareness and capacity of six provincial governments to develop infrastructure projects that align with the Paris Agreement enhanced

Project proposals that align with the Paris Agreement are submitted by six provinces for approval by the Government of Viet Nam.

Guidance note on aligning road network development projects in Viet Nam with the Paris Agreement prepared.