Lao and Korean officials and company representatives cut a ribbon at the project taking-over ceremony in Vientiane on Wednesday. Invited guests gather around the project commemorative plaque during the handover ceremony.

Phase II of Mekong River Integrated Management Project completed
 
The Mekong River Integrated Management Project Phase II has officially reached completion, marking a significant step forward in bolstering flood defences and enhancing the urban landscape in Vientiane.
A formal handover ceremony was held on July 1 to celebrate the successful conclusion of the project, which has transformed sections of the riverbank into a resilient, multi-purpose area for the city’s residents.
The ceremony was attended by the Chairman of the Vientiane Administration Committee, Mr Sililatthongsing Thongpheng; Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Laos, Mr Jung Yung Soo; Deputy Minister of Public Works and Transport, Mr Ngampasong Muongmany; and representatives from the Ministry of Finance and the Export-Import Bank of Korea (Korea Eximbank) and the Dongbu-Kumho Joint Venture from the Republic of Korea.
The project, which was funded by a low-interest loan from the Republic of Korea, is a testament to the enduring cooperation between the Lao government and its Korean partners.

Invited guests gather around the project commemorative plaque during the handover ceremony.

Speaking at the ceremony, Director of the Vientiane Department of Public Works and Transport, Mr Bounyavath Niraxay, said a total of US$67.56 million was invested in the project. This included US$57.6 million in loan funding from the Korea Eximbank and a contribution of US$9.95 million from the Lao government.
“The project was designed to protect our national soil and assets from natural erosion while simultaneously developing the riverbank into an attractive space for tourism, recreation, and exercise for the people of Vientiane,” Mr Bounyavath said.
The project, which was managed through a joint venture between Saman Corporation and Korea Engineering Consultants and constructed by Dongbu Corporation and Kumho Engineering & Construction Co., Ltd., faced several challenges, including the Covid-19 pandemic and economic issues. Despite these hurdles, the teams completed the work in accordance with the design and construction standards.
Key achievements of Phase II of the project include the construction of high-standard ‘Rip-Rap’ river embankments, engineered to withstand 100-year flood cycles.
Infrastructure improvements include the completion of over 8 kilometres of asphalt roads, concrete footpaths, drainage systems, and reinforced riverbank walls.
In addition, 13 public parks covering 4.4 hectares were created, featuring landscaping, walkways, parking facilities for 42 vehicles, and the planting of 121 trees. Accessibility was also a priority, with the installation of 36 sets of stairs for easy river access and two dedicated ferry ports.
Beyond engineering, the project involved a comprehensive land clearance and compensation process, involving 95 plots of land and ensuring that all impacted residents and local stakeholders were properly managed. The project received official Environmental and Social Impact Assessment certification in April 2023.
Mr Bounyavath expressed deep gratitude to the governments of Laos and the Republic of Korea, as well as the Economic Development Cooperation Fund, for their leadership and unwavering support in bringing the project to fruition.
As Vientiane looks to the future, this newly developed stretch of the Mekong riverfront stands as a symbol of sustainable urban development, offering both protection against the elements and a revitalised space for the public to enjoy the capital’s natural beauty, he said.

By Times Reporters
 (Latest Update July 3, 2026)