France donates nearly 19 billion VND for Long Bien Bridge renovation
Thursday, 21/12/2023 11:28 (GMT+7)
The French Embassy said that France has provided the Hanoi People's Committee a non-refundable grant worth more than 700,000 EUR to carry out a feasibility study to improve Long Bien Bridge.
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| Long Bien Bridge (Photo: cand.com.vn) |
According to the French Embassy, the amount has been granted by the French Treasury and was transferred to the Hanoi People's Committee a month ago.
France hopes to be able to carry out renovations as soon as possible when research results are available, as the bridge has seriously deteriorated in recent years. The French Development Agency (AFP) will also be involved in the project and ready for discussions regarding financial supplies.
Long Bien Bridge, an icon of Hanoi and of the Vietnam-France connection, was built by the French from 1898 to 1903. The bridge was severely damaged by US bombings in 1967. Vietnam later upgraded the bridge to ensure connection between Hanoi and Hai Phong.
The decision to fund the study was issued as Vietnam and France mark the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations. Since 2004, France has funded several studies and sponsored experts to support the renovation of Long Bien Bridge.
The study, to be done by French consultancy company Artelia, aims to limit the impacts of the bridge's renovation on traffic and railways over the Long Bien Bridge./.
BTA