Southeast Asia's largest river tunnel opens to traffic
On the afternoon of November 20, the official opening ceremony of Thu Thiem Tunnel and East-West Highway was held at both ends of Thu Thiem Tunnel in District 1 and District 2, Ho Chi Minh City. This is a major event for Ho Chi Minh City and the whole country.
15:05: President Truong Tan Sang, Politburo member - Standing member of the Secretariat Le Hong Anh, Politburo member - Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee Le Thanh Hai, Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai, Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee Le Hoang Quan, former Prime Minister Phan Van Khai, Japanese Ambassador to Vietnam... opened the project's nameplate and cut the ribbon. Then the leaders got in the car and went through Thu Thiem tunnel on the District 1 side.
The first cars entered the tunnel from District 2 to District 1 - Photo: TIEN DUNG
15g:President Truong Tan Sang awarded the 2nd class Labor Medal to the Ho Chi Minh City Urban Transport Construction Investment Management Board and 3 3rd class Labor Medals to individuals with outstanding achievements in organizing and implementing the project.
14:35:Mr. Tran Van Man, whose house was demolished in An Phu Ward, District 2, said that his family has lived in District 2 for four generations. He has followed the State's policy of encouraging his family and relatives to move elsewhere. Currently, his family members have settled down in the new place. Mr. Man is happy because with the new road, people can travel more conveniently, and the city will develop more.
14:30:The Japanese Ambassador expressed his joy at the long-term efforts of the two countries to inaugurate the Thu Thiem Tunnel and the East-West Highway. The Japanese Ambassador said that Japan will continue to develop the strategic partnership with Vietnam. The East-West Highway project is a typical project connecting with the Thu Thiem peninsula, which will help the new urban area develop further in the future. The East-West Highway is a link in the 21st century, further promoting the Vietnam-Japan relationship.
14g:The main stage is located at the end of the District 2 tunnel and the secondary stage is located at the end of the District 1 tunnel.
Leaders of the Party, State and Government of Vietnam, along with senior leaders of the Japanese government and foreign consulates in Ho Chi Minh City attended the ceremony. In addition, representatives of households whose houses were cleared within the project area were also present on this happy day.
Speaking at the ceremony at the District 2 stage, Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee Le Hoang Quan emphasized: "This is a large-scale project requiring high technology that has been successfully completed. Through this project, thousands of cadres and engineers have been trained and approached advanced technology. Those engineers will be a human resource for Ho Chi Minh City. The completion of this route contributes to the development of the new urban area of Thu Thiem into a major financial - commercial - service center of the region. This project also demonstrates the will and friendship in the relationship between Vietnam and Japan."
It is expected that after the opening ceremony, the organizers will organize a walking tour of the Thu Thiem tunnel for about 2,500 city residents.
(According to Tuoi Tre)
