Overview

Vietnam has achieved considerable economic and social progress in the past two decades, and is now categorized as a lower middle-income country. Vietnam's infrastructure needs to evolve to meet the demands of a rapidly developing country. For example, expressways are needed to reduce traffic congestion on overburdened national highways, and urban transport infrastructure needs to adapt to rapid urban population growth and increasing car ownership.

To achieve these goals, Australia is supporting the Government of Vietnam to develop high quality transport infrastructure project proposals and concepts more rapidly, and to facilitate better public-private partnerships.

Results to date

• Australian investment has leveraged a total of USD446 million in financing for transport infrastructure, by providing project preparation services for three major construction projects co-funded by Multilateral Development Banks and the Government of Vietnam.
• The Program is contributing to a more efficient and sustainable transport infrastructure sector in Vietnam, by facilitating project implementation and unlocking opportunities through innovation. Best international practice on advanced engineering, environmental and social safeguards, and climate change resilience has been mainstreamed in all activities, and specifically introduced to the sector through three high-investment projects: Master Road Connectivity Detail Engineering Designs for the Central Highlands and Northern Mountain provinces, and a Feasibility Study update for the Southern Region Waterways in the Mekong Delta.
• The Program is providing capacity strengthening support for MOT counterparts and related transport infrastructure professionals across all of Vietnam's transport sectors (roads, railways, inland waterways), paving the way for long-term sustainable institutional change. 14 ‘Stream B' capacity development activities are currently ongoing, involving 39 public agencies, and contributing to the development and establishment of improved procedures and the application of innovative tools and technologies. Australian support aligns well with Vietnamese strategic and post- COVID 19 economic recovery priorities, assisting MOT to increase the efficiency of infrastructure project development, focus on effective planning and management, and moving into the new requirements of e-Government and Digital Transformation.
• The Program is supporting MOT to integrate and prioritise Gender Equality and Social Inclusion throughout all its activities. GESI has been mainstreamed in all of the Program's activities, achieving a remarkable 40% in female participation and conducting a comprehensive series of public consultations that included more than 2000 people from Ethnic Minority groups. Senior citizens, children and People with Disabilities are always considered and included in all of Aus4Transport activities.