Vietnam asks Cambodia to share detailed information on canal project (Photo: khmertimeskh.com)

According to the Vietnam National Mekong Committee (VNMC), the canal is set to flow 180km. Its construction is scheduled to start in 2024 and be completed in 2027, with 7 million tons of cargo expected to be circulated through the new waterway each year.

The VNMC said it has held bilateral working sessions with the Cambodian side at different levels to share Vietnam’s concern over the project’s impacts on the Mekong Delta. Vietnam asks Cambodia to share detailed information about the project, including the project feasibility report, conduct joint research on its impacts, and apply the International Mekong River Commission (MRC)'s guidelines for transboundary impact assessment to achieve common understanding of the project's transboundary impacts and appropriate mitigation measures.

At the meetings, the Cambodia National Mekong Committee took note of Vietnam’s concern over the project, saying it is working with relevant ministries and agencies of Cambodia to convey such opinions to them.

The VNMC has also suggested the MRC Secretariat support countries in conducting research on the project's transboundary impact assessment, and the Secretariat is also quickly working on independent research on the project's impacts, especially its transboundary ones, and proposing impact mitigation and monitoring measures.