The transport and post and telecommunications sectors have led others in attracting the Official Development Assistance (ODA) loans as they have got as much as US$16.47 billion or 23% of total ODA secured by the nation over the past 20 years, according to the Ministry of Planning and Investment.
Transport sector's capacity improved
In the period from 1990-2015, the transport sector has launched 132 projects using a total ODA of US$17 billion. To date, 83 projects worth US$5 billion were completed while 49 projects valued at US$12 billion are underway.
ODA has in recent time helped Viet Nam recover crucial transport projects, contributing significantly to the nation’s economic growth rate.
Scores of life-line transport facilities have been upgraded, such as National Highway1A, Noi Bai International Airport Terminal 2, Nhat Tan Bridge, Ho Chi Minh City – Long Thanh –Dau Giay Expressway, Da Nang-Quang Ngai expressway, Cat Bi international airport, Ha Noi Railway Station and Hai Van Tunnel.
Technical assistance regarding the building of bridges, roads, seaports and airports as well as management skills have been transferred to the Vietnamese side in a bid to enhance the capacity of the transport construction companies.
Besides large-scale transport projects, transport development projects in rural areas have been financed by the World Bank, Asian Development Bank and Japan International Cooperation Agency. These projects have helped farmers reach new markets.
Post and telecommunication projects launched
In 1993-2013, the post and telecommunication sector has carried out 16 ODA-funded projects, of which nine were completed.
In 2010, the Swedish Government spent SEK8.5 million to support the Viet Nam Media Training Centre in providing short-term training courses and seminars in press management in three years.
In the 2004-2007 period, the Republic of Korea (RoK) doled out US$10 million to help Viet Nam build the Viet Nam-RoK Friendship Information Technology College in the central city of Da Nang. In 2012, though the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), the RoK Government came up with US$6.2 million to finance the upgrade of the college and the provision of training courses.
ODA-funded programs and projects in post and telecommunications have contributed to the sector's efforts to realize successfully its integration and development strategy.