Vietnam respects Cambodia’s implementation of the US$1.7billion Funan Techo Canal project and wishes to collaborate with its neighbor on a comprehensive assessment of the project’s impacts on the region, the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced.

During a press briefing in Hanoi on Thursday, deputy spokesman for the foreign ministry Doan Khac Viet addressed questions regarding Vietnam's stance on Cambodia's groundbreaking for the canal on Monday.

Viet said that the Mekong River is a vital resource and a symbol of solidarity and special friendship among Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia.

“Vietnam hopes that riparian countries, including Cambodia, will work together to manage and develop the Mekong River’s water resources effectively and sustainably, ensuring the well-being of local communities, future generations, and the solidarity among the river basin nations,” said Viet.

Vietnam supports Cambodia's development initiatives and respects its implementation of the Phu Nam Techo Canal project, as announced by the Cambodian Ministry of Public Works and Transport (MPWT).

"We also seek to collaborate with Cambodia in conducting thorough and comprehensive research to assess the project's overall impacts and to take appropriate measures to minimize any potential negative effects," Viet emphasized.

On August 5, Cambodia held a groundbreaking ceremony for the canal project, with the attendance of Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and his spouse Pich Chanmony, along with many high-ranking Cambodian leaders and international guests,

The event kicked off in Prek Takeo Village, Samrong Thom Commune, Kean Svay District, Kandal Province, which is the starting point of the future canal, about 35km from central Phnom Penh.

Speaking at the ceremony, Hun Manet that “this project is not just an infrastructure project, but a nationalistic endeavor,” which has been overwhelmingly supported by people across the kingdom, the Phnom Penh Post reported.

According to the Cambodian government’s calculations, the canal project will generate more than 10,000 jobs and bring positive changes to the lives of around 1.6 million people living along both sides of the canal.

In addition to serving as a waterway linking Cambodia's river system to the Gulf of Thailand, the Funan Techo Canal will provide water for agricultural and aquaculture development, facilitate the formation of economic zones, logistics centers, and satellite ports, and contribute to tourism growth.

The canal project will benefit “not only Cambodia but also our neighboring countries,” Khmer Times cited Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Sun Chanthol as saying at a press conference in May.

He claimed that once the canal is operational, it could help mitigate floods in southern Vietnam.

The Funan Techo Canal is designed to be 180km long, with a width of 100 meters upstream, 80 meters downstream, and a depth of 5.4 meters.

It will be capable accommodating ships with a load capacity of 1,000-3,000 tonnes.

The canal will connect Phnom Penh’s river port to the Gulf of Thailand, passing through the provinces of Kandal, Takeo, Kampot, and Kep.

The project is being executed under a build, operate, and transfer (BOT) model and is expected to be completed by 2028, with a total investment of around US$1.7 billion from both domestic and foreign capital.

The investment is divided into two phases: the first 21km of the canal will be funded by Cambodian companies, while the remaining 159km will be financed by a joint venture between Cambodian enterprises and the China Road and Bridge Corporation, with a 51:49 ownership structure, the Phnom Penh Post reported, citing MPWT.

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