Canh Tang Reservoir officially completed, opening up expectations of changing the semi-mountainous region of Phu Tho

Canh Tang Reservoir, one of the largest reservoirs in Vietnam, has been officially handed over and put into operation after nearly 6 years of construction. This project belongs to the first-class key group, group A, and has strategic significance for water security and agricultural development in the two provinces of Phu Tho and Thanh Hoa.

The Canh Tang Lake project has solved the serious water shortage during the dry season in the semi-mountainous region.

On August 19, in Phu Tho, Minister of Agriculture and Environment Tran Duc Thang attended the inauguration ceremony and putting into use Canh Tang lake.

The inauguration and putting into use of Canh Tang Lake is one of 250 key works and projects inaugurated and started nationwide to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the National Day of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam (September 2, 1945 - September 2, 2025).

Comrade Tran Duc Thang, member of the Party Central Committee, acting Minister of Agriculture and Environment, delivered a speech at the ceremony.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, comrade Tran Duc Thang, member of the Party Central Committee, acting Minister of Agriculture and Environment, emphasized: “The Canh Tang reservoir not only serves production and life, but also demonstrates the strategic vision of the Party and State in ensuring water security, responding to climate change and sustainable development”.

The leaders of the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment also requested Phu Tho province to develop a plan for safe and effective management and exploitation; at the same time, research and develop tourism economy associated with the project. The remaining site clearance work, especially the water pipeline system, must be completed by December 2025 at the latest for the entire project to maximize its effectiveness.

Canh Tang Reservoir is a multi-purpose project: it both regulates water resources for production and daily life, and contributes to protecting people from increasingly complex and extreme natural disasters.

Quenching the "thirst" for water that has lasted for decades

The Canh Tang Lake project was implemented to solve the serious water shortage during the dry season in the semi-mountainous area, where there are up to 24,235 hectares of agricultural land but only about 12.5% of the area is irrigated by irrigation systems.

Scarce water resources keep the poverty rate high (about 20%), while this area has great potential to convert to crops with economic value such as oranges, grapefruits, purple sugarcane, longan, etc.

Canh Tang Lake was built on Sao River, the only remaining water source that can be exploited, with the goal of providing direct irrigation water for 2,230 hectares, creating a source for 4,230 hectares of cultivated land of 13 communes in Lac Son and Yen Thuy districts (now in Phu Tho province).

In addition, the lake also supplies water to 2,500 hectares of agricultural land in Thach Thanh district (formerly Thanh Hoa province); supplies water to 200 hectares of Lac Thinh Industrial Park and serves the daily life of 3,500 people in Vu Ban commune.

Complex engineering works, overcoming storms, floods and pandemics

Lieutenant Colonel Hoang Van Nen, Party Secretary of the 17th One Member Limited Liability Company (12th Army Corps), the unit directly implementing the project, said: “During the implementation process, we faced many challenges such as unusual weather, irregular rain and floods, super typhoon No. 3 Yagi in 2024, fluctuations in material prices and the Covid-19 pandemic. However, with the spirit of Truong Son soldiers, the unit has strived to overcome difficulties, flexibly organized the construction, and coordinated with local authorities to mobilize people's support, creating conditions for the project to be completed on schedule."

This is a large-scale project, with a land acquisition area of up to 1,200 hectares, affecting more than 600 households. To ensure a stable life, the project has built 8 synchronous resettlement areas, with essential infrastructure and better living conditions for the people.

Consensus of people in project area

Officers of Army Corps 12 met and thanked people who had relocated their homes to create favorable conditions for the project construction unit.

Mr. Bui Van Kien (Trang Da hamlet, Yen Phu commune, Phu Tho province) shared: “Since the end of 2019, we have been informed about the relocation to make way for the project. Today, witnessing the completed, spacious and majestic project, we are very happy. Moreover, in the new resettlement area, the environment is clean and beautiful, the roads are convenient, the children go to school safely, my family's life has changed beyond expectations."

Ms. Bui Thi Nua, a resident living near Canh Tang Lake, was also excited: “In the past, living in the lake area was very difficult, especially when the flood came, it was difficult to travel and there was always anxiety. Now there is a clean water source, smooth roads, life is much more secure.”

Promoting agricultural restructuring and sustainable development

The project is supervised by a technical expert team consisting of leading experts; quality is inspected by the Water Resources University's Appraisal Consulting Office. Automatic monitoring systems, cameras, rain gauges, flow gauges, etc. are also installed to ensure safety during operation.

Comrade Dinh Cong Su, Vice Chairman of Hoa Binh Provincial People's Committee.

Immediately after being handed over to the Hoa Binh Irrigation Works Exploitation Company, Canh Tang Lake has been operating effectively and safely during the 2025 storm season, especially when storm No. 3 Wipha made landfall.

Canh Tang Lake not only solves the irrigation water problem, but also creates an important premise for agricultural restructuring, developing commercial crops, tourism, industry and improving people's livelihoods. This project is part of the orientation of sustainable agricultural development, adapting to climate change by 2030, with a vision to 2050 of Phu Tho province.

The completion of the project is not only an achievement for the agricultural sector, but also a testament to the consensus, trust and great contributions of the people, who have given up their land and relocated to join hands in building a strategic project that will serve the entire northern midland region in the long term.

THU HA

Source: https://nhandan.vn/ho-chua-nuoc-canh-tang-chinh-thuc-hoan-thanh-mo-ra-ky-vong-doi-thay-vung-ban-son-dia-phu-tho-post901958.html