Nhan Dan - Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai announced the closure of the Da River on April 24 for the first phase of construction on the Lai Chau hydro power plant.
The project, located in Nam Hang commune, Muong Te district, Lai Chau province, includes three turbines with a total capacity of 1,200MW.
The plant is invested at VND 35.7 trillion (US$1.8 billion) and has a reservoir of over 1,200cu.m. It is expected to provide about 4.7 billion kWh of electricity per year.
Deputy PM Hai commended the investors and local authorities for completing the resettlement of residents and obtaining the right to progress with the closure of the river.
He also asked investors and builders to ensure the progress and quality of construction as well as measures to prevent floods and resettle local residents after the river is closed.