After nearly a decade of implementation, the Project to Control Tidal Flooding in Ho Chi Minh City, Accounting for Climate Change Factors – Phase 1 (An Triều Project) is entering its final sprint. On the construction sites, hundreds of Trungnam engineers and workers are completing the final items with determination to bring the project into operation soon, following the resolute direction of the Prime Minister.
Behind the concrete blocks, the massive sluice gates, and the modern equipment systems lies the journey of people who have quietly stood their ground for many years, safeguarding the project and holding firm even through its most difficult periods.
The construction site comes back to life
At the Muong Chuoi site, the sounds of welding, cranes lifting equipment, and machinery moving in succession fill the air. About 150 engineers, technical staff, and workers are divided into multiple work teams, focused on completing the final items. The sense of urgency has returned after years of waiting, carrying the determination to bring the project to completion on schedule.
To date, the items requiring high technical demands — the tidal control sluice system, gates, and mechanical equipment — are essentially complete. Teams are simultaneously deploying the mechanical-electrical (MEP) system, the SCADA automatic control system, operation roads, the management building, landscaping, and supporting items to prepare for synchronized operation.
Workers and engineers are completing supporting items to prepare for the operational phase.
Mr. Nguyen Van Bao, Deputy Director of Trungnam An Trieu Company, said that right after the project was restarted, the first thing the team did was review the entire site condition, conduct technical inspections, and maintain equipment after the long interruption. "Through inspection, all items meet technical requirements. We are now focused on completing the supporting items to bring the project into operation as soon as possible. Trungnam is also mobilizing maximum manpower and equipment to accelerate progress as required," Mr. Van Bao added.
Standing firm for a promise made to the city
If a construction site is measured by progress, then the journey of Trungnam's people is measured by years of commitment and the determination and patience of waiting for the day the project would be completed and operational.
Nearly ten years alongside the project, Mr. Quoc Dung, Site Commander of the Tan Thuan tidal control sluice construction site, has witnessed the project pause, restart... pause again, and restart again many times. There were times when the site fell silent, but he and many colleagues never chose to leave the project: "There were times when the team felt the pressure. But for us, this isn't just a workplace — it's years of dedication. Seeing the project nearly complete today, everyone is looking forward to the day it truly goes into operation."
What he remembers most isn't the difficult periods, but the anticipation of the people: "Many residents regularly ask when the project will be completed and put into operation. In the past we couldn't answer, but today everyone believes that day is very close."
For Mr. Quoc Dung (Site Commander – Tan Thuan Tidal Control Sluice), the An Trieu Anti-Flooding Project is a dream and a source of pride.
For many Trungnam engineers, the An Trieu Anti-Flooding Project is not just a workplace but the culmination of many years of labor and dedication. After nearly a decade, the dream of seeing the project go into operation is gradually becoming reality.
The Muong Chuoi tidal control sluice has completed its piers, gate towers, boat lock, gate beams, and working bridge, with all 4 of 4 main gates installed.
Each additional item completed on the construction site brings the people's expectations closer to reality. After nearly a decade of perseverance, Trungnam's people remain on site, continuing to complete every final detail to bring the project to the finish line.
The day the project goes into operation will mark not only the completion of a project, but the achievement of many years pursuing a shared goal: contributing to a safer Ho Chi Minh City against tidal flooding, and helping realize the expectations of millions of residents for a sustainably developed city that is better adapted to climate change.
The An Trieu Anti-Flooding Project is being implemented to control tidal flooding for an area of approximately 570 km² with over 6.5 million residents, making it one of the largest hydraulic infrastructure projects in Ho Chi Minh City. The project comprises 6 tidal control sluices (Ben Nghe, Tan Thuan, Phu Xuan, Muong Chuoi, Cay Kho, Phu Dinh), nearly 8 km of embankments along the Saigon River, along with an operations center and a SCADA automatic control system. To date, the project has completed over 93% of construction volume and is focused on finishing the final items to bring it into operation soon.
Once operational, the project will directly hold back tidal surges; proactively drain rainwater to reduce inner-city flooding; improve water environment quality and limit extreme impacts; and enhance Ho Chi Minh City's resilience to climate change.
The An Trieu Anti-Flooding Project is being implemented to control tidal flooding for an area of approximately 570 km² with over 6.5 million residents, making it one of the largest hydraulic infrastructure projects in Ho Chi Minh City. The project comprises 6 tidal control sluices (Ben Nghe, Tan Thuan, Phu Xuan, Muong Chuoi, Cay Kho, Phu Dinh), nearly 8 km of embankments along the Saigon River, along with an operations center and a SCADA automatic control system. To date, the project has completed over 93% of construction volume and is focused on finishing the final items to bring it into operation soon. Once operational, the project will directly hold back tidal surges; proactively drain rainwater to reduce inner-city flooding; improve water environment quality and limit extreme impacts; and enhance Ho Chi Minh City's resilience to climate change.