“The project will go down in history as a model for others to follow in terms of project progress and quality,” said Mr Dung while meeting with the project management board and representatives of construction units and workers in the northern mountainous province of Son La on February 12.

According to plan, the first turbine will be put into operation by the end of 2010 and the whole project will be completed by 2012, two years ahead of time.

Meeting with Son La provincial Party Committee and administration, Mr Dung praised the province’s efforts in leading other northwestern provinces in socio-economic development last year, with its GDP growth rate reaching more than 13 percent. He also praised the province for handling the resettlement of ethnic minority people displaced by the hydro-electric power project. It was reported that about 4,000 households out of a total of 13,000 have been enjoying a better life in new resettlement areas.

He presented gifts to ethnic people in It Ong and Nam Pan communes in Muong Lay District and wished a happy new year to all resettled households in Tan Quynh Village in Mai Son District’s Co Noi Commune. He said he is pleased to see local people enjoying a better life in new houses and gaining access to clean water and farm land. He presented TV sets and other gifts to 30 households in Tan Quynh Village to help them celebrate the lunar new year.