A mark of collaboration
Over the past 40 years, the cooperative relationship between Hai Phong city and its partners in the Republic of Finland has been continuously strengthened, becoming one of the effective highlights in development cooperation between Vietnam and this Nordic country. Through ODA funding and socio -economic development support programs and projects, Finland has effectively assisted Hai Phong in many key areas such as transportation, water supply and drainage, healthcare, and the environment.
From the 1980s, early signs of cooperation began with the Pha Rung Ship Repair Factory Project (1984), with a total investment of approximately 46 million USD, contributing to the development of Hai Phong's shipbuilding and repair industry. Following this, the construction of the Rao 2 Bridge (now Vo Nguyen Giap Bridge) – a crucial infrastructure project with a total investment of nearly 25 million EUR – was completed and put into use, creating a modern architectural landmark and promoting urban development, tourism , and trade.
Not only limited to infrastructure, Finnish ODA projects have also extended to the fields of healthcare and environment. Between 2004 and 2017, the city implemented numerous component projects with a total investment of over US$28 million, notably: the project to upgrade medical equipment at Viet Tiep Friendship Hospital (2009); the Do Son water supply project (2009); and the Water and Sanitation Program for Small Towns in Vietnam (implemented in 25 towns across 8 northern provinces, including towns in Hai Phong such as: the rainwater and wastewater drainage project for residential areas in Minh Duc town – former Thuy Nguyen district; the water supply project for Tien Lang town – former Tien Lang district; and the water supply project for An Lao town – former An Lao district), from 2004 to 2017.
The Hai Phong Water Supply and Sanitation Project, implemented from 1990 to 2004, with a total investment of approximately 24 million EUR, contributed to improving water supply infrastructure and ensuring clean water for tens of thousands of households in the inner city. In particular, through the water supply and sanitation program, Finland provided technical support, management assistance, and human resource development to the Hai Phong Water Supply Company. The program's implementation played a crucial role in improving and stabilizing the supply of clean water to approximately 300,000 inner-city residents, while simultaneously reducing water loss rates from 70% to 30% in the improved areas.
Commenting on the program, Mr. Cao Van Quy, Deputy General Director of Hai Phong Water Supply Joint Stock Company, said: “The Finnish government's support program for Hai Phong remains valuable to this day. The management systems and operating procedures established during that period are still effective, becoming an important foundation for the city's water supply industry. Over the years, we have only needed to upgrade and refine them to suit new development requirements and conditions, but fundamentally, the management tools supported by Finland have proven to be scientific, sustainable, and effective in practice.”
Along with water supply, the drainage sector has also made significant strides in development thanks to support from the Finnish government. The Hai Phong Drainage and Sanitation Project (Project 1B), approved by the government with a total investment of over US$40.8 million, received US$5.8 million in non-refundable aid from the Finnish government. The project contributed to cleaning approximately 130 km of the city's general drainage system, renovating 9,000 manholes, over 6 km of drainage ditches, 3 out of 13 tidal barrier gates, 4 out of 10 regulating lakes, constructing 6 km of new general drainage pipes in areas at high risk of flooding, and building a new 22-hectare Phuong Luu lake.
Mr. Pham Quang Quynh, Chairman of Hai Phong Drainage Company, said: Hai Phong Drainage Company has received much support and cooperation from the Finnish Government, notably the 1B Drainage Project and two rainwater drainage projects in May Den and Vinh Niem with a capacity of 9 m3/second. To date, these projects continue to be very effective in flood control and drainage during the rainy season...
Before its merger with Hai Phong, Hai Duong had already begun cooperating with Finland, particularly in the agricultural sector.
Further expand the cooperative relationship.
Over more than four decades of cooperation, bridges, clean water projects, modern hospitals, and other infrastructure built with friendship and international cooperation have demonstrated the strong relationship between Hai Phong and Finland. This cooperative relationship also showcases an effective development model – from ODA support to mutually beneficial cooperation, aiming for sustainable development.
In this new phase, as Hai Phong aims to become a center for industry, trade, services, education and training, and innovation in the Northern Coastal region, the city continues to consider Finland a strategic partner in many fields: from environmental technology, renewable energy, smart urban planning, vocational education, to science and technology and digital transformation.
During the working visit of the Hai Phong City delegation to Finland in early September 2024, the delegation met and worked with Finnish businesses. At this meeting, the businesses highly appreciated the potential, position, and development of Hai Phong City and expressed their desire to cooperate and invest in Hai Phong in the fields of digital transformation, innovation, energy, waste treatment and waste-to-energy, logistics centers, fire protection, shipbuilding, textiles, etc. They also inquired about investment attraction policies, forms of direct investment and joint ventures/cooperation, and investment conditions in Hai Phong.
Hai Phong also hopes that in the future, Finnish businesses will continue to strengthen cooperation and investment in Hai Phong city in areas where both sides have strengths, such as: digital infrastructure management, smart lighting, green transportation, smart city solutions and sustainable development, renewable energy, environmental technology, education, innovation… as well as other investment cooperation.
The achievements over the past 40 years have laid a solid foundation for both sides to continue expanding cooperation to a new level – one that involves not only capital flows but also the sharing of knowledge, experience, and a vision for sustainable development. The Hai Phong-Finland relationship, building on the bright spots of ODA cooperation, is continuing into a new chapter – a chapter of innovation, trust, and development for a green, modern, and prosperous future.
BUI HANHSource: https://baohaiphong.vn/hieu-qua-nhung-du-an-hop-tac-voi-phan-lan-o-hai-phong-524181.html
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