The trial resumption of operation of the Ben Nghe tidal control sluice and the restart of the entire project is an important step toward bringing the works into synchronized operation and promoting effective tidal flood control.
On February 2, Trung Nam Construction Investment Joint Stock Company, in coordination with the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee and relevant departments and agencies, organized the trial resumption of operation of the Ben Nghe tidal control sluice, while simultaneously restarting the project “Flood Control for the Ho Chi Minh City Area Considering Climate Change” (Phase 1).
The restart of the project demonstrates the determination to remove obstacles, accelerate progress on key works, and strictly implement the directives of the Politburo, the Government, and the Central Steering Committee on preventing wastefulness.
Restart after five years of suspension
According to Dan Tri reporters, at 9:00 a.m. the same day, when the signal horn sounded, the hydraulic cylinder system began operating, lifting the steel gate from the bottom of the Ben Nghe Canal to a height of about 3 meters. The steel gate separates the water flow, preventing water from the Saigon River from flowing into inner-city canals when tides rise.
After the steel gate was lifted, the large-capacity pumping system was also activated, pumping water from inner-city canals out to the Saigon River. The operation took place in the presence of Ho Chi Minh City Vice Chairman Bui Xuan Cuong, leaders of departments and agencies, and representatives of the investor.
The Ho Chi Minh City tidal flood control project had been interrupted for a long period. To date, all components have been comprehensively reviewed and the current status assessed as a basis for continued implementation. Overall project progress has reached approximately 94%, with main components basically completed and entering the stage of finishing, inspection, calibration, system connection, and trial operation in accordance with procedures.
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The steel gate divides the canal flow to regulate water at the Ben Nghe sluice
(Photo: An Huy)
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At the Ben Nghe sluice, the contractor has dredged the riverbed and completed installation of the SCADA automatic control system. Other sluices such as Tan Thuan, Phu Xuan, Muong Chuoi, Cay Kho, Phu Dinh, Cau Kinh, and Ba Buom have been completed with embankments, management buildings, landscaping, installation of electromechanical equipment and automatic control systems, and preparation of navigation lock gates. Riverbank dike sections have also been completed with sand filling, slope reinforcement, and auxiliary works.
The trial resumption of operation of the Ben Nghe sluice and the restart of the entire project is an important step toward bringing the works into synchronized operation, enhancing tidal flood control effectiveness, supporting stormwater drainage, and improving urban landscape and environment.
Ho Chi Minh City has identified 2026 as the year to complete and put the project into operation. Once operational, the project will help control tidal flooding in inner-city and central areas, while enhancing the effectiveness of urban drainage projects under the master plan approved by the Prime Minister.
Determination to complete in 2026
Mr. Nguyen Tam Tien, Chief Executive Officer of Trung Nam Group, said the project had been suspended for about five years. If no obstacles had arisen, the project would have been completed in the 2018–2019 period. However, due to the need to review procedures and documentation, the project had to be temporarily suspended.
The suspension affected residents’ daily activities and travel in the project area and caused losses to the investor and contractors. “I would like to apologize to residents in the project area for the unwanted impacts. We understand the people’s expectations. Under the direction of Ho Chi Minh City leaders and the Party Central Committee and Government, the project has been restarted. In fact, we have been preparing and restarting work for several months,” Mr. Tien said.
According to Mr. Tien, the Ben Nghe sluice is the largest underground sluice in Vietnam. When not in operation, it lies submerged, allowing normal vessel traffic; when in operation, the sluice is raised and combined with pumping water from the inner city to the river.
The project targets four objectives: preventing tidal flooding; pumping water to support inner-city flood control; maintaining water levels and protecting the canal environment; and preventing saltwater intrusion when sea tides rise.
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Mr. Nguyen Tam Tien, Chief Executive Officer of Trung Nam Group, speaking at the ceremony
(Photo: An Huy)
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The investor commits to completing and putting the entire project into operation in 2026. Components will be operated as they are completed, with the expectation of shortening the timeline compared to the plan.
Mr. Tien also noted that most of the project’s equipment was imported from Europe. The prolonged suspension caused the investor to lose warranty opportunities. Therefore, the investor proposed that Ho Chi Minh City allow operation of the project for 5–10 years, with a commitment to provide corresponding equipment warranties for the operating period.
“Operating six large sluices, two medium sluices, twelve small sluices, and the dike system is not simple, especially in ensuring waterway traffic safety. We have a team that both constructs and operates the system. From now until the end of 2026, the goal is to complete the entire project,” Mr. Tien said.
Expectations for effective flood control
Mr. Bui Xuan Cuong, Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee, said the tidal flood control project has been implemented for many years and encountered numerous difficulties and obstacles during execution. To date, more than 90% of the project volume has been completed. Recently, the Government issued Resolution 212 to remove bottlenecks, and with the strong support of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee, departments, agencies, and the investor, the project has gradually been unblocked.
According to Mr. Cuong, the total investment of the project was approved in November 2025. Currently, the State Audit Office is re-auditing the total investment, and Ho Chi Minh City will continue adjustments after receiving official opinions from the audit authority.
The investor and related units restarted the project in December 2025, implementing works such as the Ben Nghe sluice, Muong Chuoi sluice, and the operations building. The operation of the Ben Nghe sluice is the initial result after more than two months of restarting the project and is also the first of the six main sluices of the project to be put into operation.
“On behalf of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee, I commend the departments, agencies, and the investor for demonstrating responsibility, initiative, determination, and creativity in completing the basic procedures of the project. Some subsequent procedures, such as land allocation to the investor, will continue to be expedited in the coming time,” Mr. Cuong said.
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Mr. Bui Xuan Cuong, Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee, speaking at the project restart ceremony for the tidal flood control project
(Photo: Khoa Nguyen)
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The Vice Chairman affirmed that at present, the project meets the conditions to concentrate resources for implementation according to the investor’s commitments, striving to complete the entire project in 2026. Components will be put into operation as they are completed.
Upon completion, the project will not only control tidal flooding but also regulate water levels in rivers and canals, proactively respond to heavy rainfall combined with tidal surges, improve environmental landscape, maintain water levels, and develop waterway transport. In particular, the operation of the Ben Nghe sluice will contribute to controlling flooding in central areas of Ho Chi Minh City in recent times.
“The previous stagnation of the project affected residents’ daily life and travel as well as business operations. I hope that residents and businesses will continue to share and accompany us. In 2026, the city will coordinate to accelerate progress to put the project into operation and address flooding in the affected areas,” Mr. Bui Xuan Cuong emphasized.
SOURCE: DAN TRI