Mr. Tran Van Khoi, a farmer from An Giang province said the Long Xuyen region used to be blighted with alum and suffered droughts or floods all year round. Agricultural production was nearly impossible. Since the new canals were dug, fresh water has been pumped into the fields.

“Late Prime Minister Vo Van Kiet ordered the T5 canal dug, which reduced the alum and made the land fertile again,” said Khoi.

With the irrigation system, farmers can produce 2-3 rice crops per year, increasing productivity to around 8 tons per hectare.

Agronomist Vo Tong Xuan said late Prime Minister Kiet had a strategic vision.

“After making fact-finding tours to this area, he decided to build canals and sluice gates to wash the alum into the sea”, he explained.

In 2009, An Giang province named the T5 canal after Vo Van Kiet to honor the late Prime Minister for his great contribution to the area. Cao Quang Liem, Chairman of Tri Ton district’s People’s Committee, said: “With strategic thinking and determination, Mr. Kiet made a great contribution to national development. He will always be remembered as a great personality, a talented, creative, flexible, and determined leader”.

Late Prime Minister Vo Van Kiet also left his imprint on other projects, including the 500 kV North-South Transmission Line which helped end an electricity shortage in the southern region in 1994.