Construction on SEA’s longest cross-sea bridge launched (VOV) - A February 15 order from Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has launched construction on a longer than 5.4 km cross-sea bridge in Haiphong city.  Once completed, it will be the longest if its kind ever built Vietnam as well as Southeast Asia. Part of the Tan Vu-Lach Huyen Highway stretching more than 15km, the 5.4km section over the sea will take 36 months to finish at a cost of over VND11.8 trillion. Most of the budget comes from Japanese official development assistance (ODA) capital. The Tan Vu-Lach Huyen bridge’s modern construction will eventually become another highlight of Haiphong City’s Cat Ba Islands. Speaking at the ground-breaking ceremony, PM Dung emphasised the project is follows a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model between Vietnamese and Japanese Governments. It will help maximise the utility of the valuable deep water port, link Lach Huyen Port with other developing areas in Haiphong City and Dinh Vu industrial zone, and form a transport axis with the Hanoi-Haiphong Expressway connecting Hanoi and neighbouring provinces. It also furthers economic restructuring and advances industrialisation and modernisation, Dung said. He cited the project as demonstrating the friendship and fine cooperation between Vietnam and Japan The Government leader urged the Ministry of Transport, consultants, and joint venture partners to obey Vietnamese laws and contract commitments and execute the project on schedule. He asked Haiphong leaders to facilitate land clearance and take care of any relocated families. A 4E class international airport will be built at Lach Huyen Port to receive all kinds of aircraft. Haiphong has to fine-tune its development strategy. It should focus on training high quality human resources and attracting investment. PM Dung thanked Japan for the assistance extended to Vietnam over the past 20 years-especially in infrastructure development—and expressed hopes such support will continue into the future. He promises Vietnam has used Japanese ODA efficiently and effectively.  VOV