VIETNAM. The Vietnamese Government has taken an unprecedented decision by allowing foreign investors to team up with local partners to develop and operate two airports in the southwest, according to local reports.
The Government Office released a notice this week stating that the country could set up joint ventures with foreign companies to develop and operate the Can Tho and Phu Quoc airports.
Can Tho is situated in the Mekong Delta, described as the country’s rice basket. The delta has great growth potential but is still in the early stages of development due to poor communication infrastructure, says the notice. The government says it is urgent to develop communications to ease goods and passenger transport and thus boost economic growth.
The notice says the two airports must be designed in a way that meets the needs of future growth and expansion. The Southern Airports Authority is to prepare a design and an investment plan for Can Tho Airport. It can hire a foreign consultant to get this job done.
Can Tho is set to become an international airport in the future. Together with the development of the two airports, the Government will allow investment in two key roads in the delta.
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