The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has agreed to provide a loan of $106.51m for road improvements and capacity development to boost tourism and transport connectivity as well as domestic and international trade in five Vietnam Development Triangle Area (VDTA) provinces, namely Binh Phuoc, Dak Lak, Dak Nong, Gia Lai, and Kon Tum.

The loan has been approved under the Cambodia-Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR)-Vietnam Development Triangle Area’s (CLV-DTA) objectives that facilitate the flow of goods, people, and investment while accelerating economic growth within VDTA provinces.

ADB Southeast Asia Regional Department senior transport specialist Arto Ahonen said: “Development efforts are more effective and efficient if we work together.

“This project’s road investments will expand economic opportunities to benefit everyone, with the tourism component benefiting the poor, especially ethnic minorities and women.”

Scope of work under the project includes upgrading 236.7km of national and provincial roads across the five provinces, as well as 26.6km of strategic roads linking VDTA to border crossings with Cambodia and Lao PDR.

The project, which will boost trade and transport, will also enhance road safety-awareness among at least 32,000 vulnerable road users by the time of its estimated completion at the end of 2022.

"The project, which will boost trade and transport, will also enhance road safety-awareness among at least 32,000 vulnerable road users."

It would also enhance the tourism sector as well as facilitating trade which will help these communities.

Nearly 225,000 people in this region, including 12,400 ethnic minority beneficiaries of tourism sub-projects will be benefited from this project.

An action plan will also be prepared to incorporate gender, ethnic minority, climate change, and environmental aspects into the project outcomes.

Image: A man on a motorbike. Photo: courtesy of Asian Development Bank.