Vietnamese Gov’t Delegation visits the Gangcheon Weir in the Han River

“Project imperatively necessary to Vietnam with frequent flooding”

Vietnamese Government Delegation visited the site of the Gangcheon Weir in the Han River on January 19. Their great interest due to the habitual inundation of the Mekong made them release a barrage of questions about concrete and actual circumstances on the weir construction and its further management.

Thirty percent around the Mekong get waterlogged by habitual inundation. Vietnam also has worry about it.” Vietnamese delegation seized on the Four Major Rivers Restoration Project of Korea. Mr. NGUYEN Huu Chi, Deputy Treasury Secretary of Vietnamese government visited the Gangcheon Weir in the Han River and said, “Since rice farming is prevalent in Vietnam, thus if paddy fields get inundated, it falls into the way of exerting a bad influence upon Vietnamese economy. Thus, we make a close observation on the Project of Korea”.

Eight persons of delegation including Mr. Nguyen had posed much of questions in that two hour visit on the Gangcheon Weir site. He added, “In Vietnam, we have lots of huge rivers and lakes so that we cannot choose but have interest in water control”. “As of 2010, about 30% around of the Mekong got waterlogged by frequent inundation; our government’s concern runs deep”.

Mr. Nguyen posed several detailed questions that; what benefits for farmers on the project sites; what procedures for water control in dry season and countermeasure against emergency or accidents.

He gave slight nod on the answer from Mr. BYEON Jae-Yeong. “In case the farmers’ condition becomes harder to continue farming, government compensates for it; as to low farmlands, we mound the level of farming soils to help farming”.

“Weirs in many proper positions maintain rivers systematically, considering change in precipitation, velocity of running fluid and so forth. In rainy season, we let water flow takes its course by opening floodgates”. Mr. Nguyen gave nod with a satisfied countenance.


Hoping to introduce rivers restoration project to Vietnam

In response for the Nguyen’s question whether there is possibility of inundation even in full open of floodgates; Mr. Byeon explained that the flood elevation will get lowered when dredging works are completed. Mr. Nguyen went so far as to laugh in relief of curiosity. NGUYEN Chi Chua (Office of Public Property Custodian of Vietnamese government) represented his deep interests mentioning his hope to introduce the Four Major Rivers Restoration Project to Vietnam.

Saying that he heard about the Project in Korean Embassy to Vietnam already, he wondered who oppose to this desirable plan, why they do so and what is countermeasure for them.

“Some opponents have political reason on their stance. Nevertheless, government keeps providing transparent and proper information with them”, Mr. Byeon explained. On the reply for unavailability of fluvial transport in the rivers of Korea, they showed slight sorriness on it. Besides the visit on the river restoration project, the eight persons of delegation (including Deputy Treasury Secretary, Mr. Nguyen) also looked around advanced transportation system of Korea.

“Vietnam suffers from flood and sedimentation of rivers. Meanwhile, Malaysia has also deep interest in fluvial area improvement project; other southeastern Asian countries vice versa”. KIM Cheol-Mun, chief of Support Bureau, the Office of Nation Rivers Restoration, said like that. He also underlined, “Accumulated technology in hydrological engineering would be an asset for future generation. It will surely contribute to national competitiveness, I have confidence in that”