Vietnam responds to Cambodia’s construction of Funan Techo canal project

At a routine press briefing held by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on August 8 in Hanoi, Viet said, “The Mekong River is a priceless asset and a connection point of special solidarity and friendship between the three countries of Vietnam - Laos - Cambodia. Vietnam hopes that riparian countries, including Cambodia, will cooperate to effectively and sustainably manage and develop the Mekong River water resources for the benefit of the people in the river basin as well as for the future of next generations and the solidarity between riparian nations.

In that spirit, Vietnam supports Cambodia’s development efforts and its implementation of the Funan Techo canal project. We also wish to work together to conduct a comprehensive study and assessment of the project’s impacts and take appropriate measures to minimize the impacts.”

This comes after the morning of August 5 when Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet presided over a groundbreaking ceremony, officially starting construction work on the Funan Techo Canal project in Preak Takeo village of Kien Svay district in Kandal province.

According to the design itself, this is the first point of the canal, which begins a 180km journey through Kandal, Takeo, and Kampot provinces, before then emptying into the sea in Kep province.