The pledge from Phong came during a March 18 meeting with Konaka Tetsuo, the  outgoing Chief Representative of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)’s Vietnam Office.

The meeting saw Phong give great praise to Tetsuo for his great contributions to the disbursement of the ODA to projects in the southern metropolis, such as the Metro Line No.1, and a scheme aimed at restoring sewers through the use of no-dig technology.

Upon thanking the municipal leaders for their support in speeding up projects involving co-operation between Vietnam and Japan during his tenure, Tetsuo expressed his hope that the city will continue to aid the JICA in Vietnam, with a particular focus on efforts in Ho Chi Minh City moving forward.