saigon river tunnel

Saigon river tunnel to be built

A tunnel running under Saigon river in Ho Chi Minh City will be built to ease traffic congestion.

The tunnel, part of the city's East-West highway project, will be 1.6 kilometres long, and 33.5 metres wide, linking the city with the newly-built Thu Thiem urban area.

Construction of the tunnel will start in November next year, taking 38 months at a cost of more than US $74 million.

The East-West highway project, designed with assistance from Pacific Consultant International (PCI) of Japan, was approved by the government in July, 2000. (VNA)