HCMC – The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has reiterated its commitment to assist Vietnam in various areas, including infrastructure development, human resource growth, healthcare, and climate change mitigation, according to JICA’s Vietnam office.
At a press conference held on October 18, JICA’s Vietnam branch representatives outlined the agency’s ongoing support initiatives in these sectors.
At the event, JICA highlighted the near completion of Metro Line 1 in HCMC, which is currently 96% finished and is projected to be operational by July 2024. Additionally, JICA is supporting projects to improve public transport infrastructure in Binh Duong Province and enhance agricultural infrastructure in Lam Dong Province.
In terms of human resource development, JICA has initiated a project aimed at refining the Japanese internship environment for Vietnamese workers. A significant feature of this effort is an information portal designed to keep Vietnamese workers updated on opportunities in Japan.
In healthcare, JICA is steering Vietnam towards telehealth advancements. The agency is working on establishing a remote training system with a digital shift, intended to strengthen both frontline healthcare services and patient care quality. Collaborations have been formed with Japan’s private sector, non-government organizations, and educational institutions to further support Vietnam in areas such as rehabilitative care and nursing.
Addressing climate challenges, JICA is actively working on technical cooperation projects to mitigate the risks of floods and landslides in northern Vietnam. The agency is also engaged in improving nationwide weather forecasting accuracy.
Furthermore, JICA is researching and drafting projects for renewable energy development in Vietnam, financed under the investment frameworks for the private sector. These endeavors are coupled with afforestation and forest protection activities, seeking to help Vietnam achieve its carbon neutrality goal by 2050.
Data showed that the Japanese government committed an official development assistance (ODA) loan of around VND3.1 trillion to Vietnam in the fiscal year 2022 (from April 2022 to March 2023).
In fiscal 2023, agreements have been signed between JICA and Vietnam for projects amounting to an estimated VND10.67 trillion. These projects encompass areas such as urban infrastructure, agricultural supply chain development, and socio-economic recovery in the post-Covid-19 scenario.
