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The massive construction site of the Son Duong Iron and Steel Complex and Deep-Water Port burst into life with sounds and colors as the button was pressed to commence construction of Blast Furnace No. 1 of the Steel Plant. Continuous applause, vibrant lion dances blending with the roar of machinery, and smiles filled with hope for a new beginning created an unforgettable atmosphere. The steel plant was officially launched alongside a series of large-scale supporting projects that Formosa Group is accelerating to completion. The shape of Vietnam’s largest FDI project is gradually emerging on this land of scorching sunshine and heavy rains.
Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, together with leaders of Ha Tinh Province, visited the Vung Ang Thermal Power Plant project.
Today, the huge construction site seemed smaller as thousands of visitors toured the various project components before the groundbreaking ceremony for Blast Furnace No. 1. Giant sand suction pipelines stretched for kilometers, transporting sand from the seabed to reclaim nearly 2,000 hectares of land to an elevation of +4 meters. Hundreds of hectares have already been leveled and developed with administrative buildings, office facilities, guest houses, and accommodations for thousands of workers, engineers, and experts.
Berth No. 1, one of eleven berths planned for Son Duong Port with a total annual cargo handling capacity of 30 million tons, is nearly complete and is expected to begin operation in 2014–2015. This area serves as the production site for caissons used in constructing the deep-water port. By 2015, thirteen berths are expected to be operational, and by 2017, all thirty-two berths will be completed, meeting the transportation and export requirements of the steel plant.
Throughout the site, workers and employees could be seen smiling proudly in their colorful uniforms. During the initial stage of the project alone, Formosa Ha Tinh Steel Corporation recruited more than 900 employees, nearly 50% of whom were local residents of Ha Tinh. Upon completion, the complex is expected to directly employ more than 15,000 workers and indirectly create thousands of additional jobs.
Le Duc Thang from Ky Loi Commune, currently working as a security officer for Formosa Ha Tinh Steel Corporation, shared: “I have been working here for more than a year. Besides receiving accommodation and meals from the company, I earn nearly VND 5 million per month. The working environment is very professional and disciplined, helping us become more mature.”
Today, the Formosa construction site stands as tangible proof of a mega-project that once seemed difficult to imagine. Thousands of experts, engineers, and workers from hundreds of contractors are working around the clock. More than USD 2 billion, together with a highly scientific management system and world-class construction technology, is laying the foundation for one of Southeast Asia’s largest steel complexes.
Mr. Nguyen Van Bong, formerly responsible for site clearance work and now Chairman of Ky Anh District People’s Committee, stated emotionally: “This achievement is worthy of the determination and efforts invested by the entire political system of our province over many years. It is also a tribute to the thousands of local residents who sacrificed their homes, land, and ancestral properties for a brighter future.”
As visitors traveled from the administrative area to the blast furnace construction zone, long lines of vehicles stretched for kilometers while everyone eagerly awaited the ceremony.
At noon, Mr. Wang Wen-Yuan, Chairman of Formosa Group, opened the groundbreaking ceremony with words of gratitude and a commitment to the project schedule. Phase One of the steel plant will complete three blast furnaces by 2015 with a capacity of 10.5 million tons annually, while Phase Two will increase total capacity to 22 million tons.
Mr. Wang expressed his deep appreciation for the support and favorable conditions provided by the Vietnamese Government, Ha Tinh authorities, and local people, enabling the project to move forward rapidly. He pledged to complete the project on schedule while ensuring safety and environmental protection.
The ceremony became even more significant with the presence of Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung. Four years earlier, he had attended and officially launched the Son Duong Iron and Steel Complex and Deep-Water Port Project. Witnessing the groundbreaking of the steel plant, which marked the beginning of a steel industry in Ha Tinh, the Prime Minister expressed his satisfaction with the progress achieved.
“I am very pleased with the achievements of these key projects and highly appreciate the efforts of the people and authorities of Ha Tinh in developing Vung Ang Economic Zone. I thank local residents who relocated to make way for this strategic economic zone, not only for Ha Tinh but also for the North Central Region and the country,” he stated.
The Prime Minister praised Formosa’s efforts in accelerating Phase One of the steel plant, with a capacity of 10 million tons per year and substantial investment capital. He requested the investor to fulfill all commitments regarding schedule and quality. The Government and Ha Tinh Province, he affirmed, would continue providing maximum support and favorable policies.
Regarding the water supply project for Formosa and Vung Ang Economic Zone, the central government planned to allocate approximately VND 2 trillion, while Ha Tinh Province would contribute VND 1 trillion together with investors to complete the project as quickly as possible.
Ha Tinh Provincial Chairman Vo Kim Cu expressed his deepest gratitude to national leaders, ministries, investors, and the entire provincial political system for helping turn this major Southeast Asian industrial project into reality. He was among the first provincial leaders to visit Taiwan and learn about Formosa Group and had undertaken hundreds of domestic and international trips to promote the project. He also played a key role in the successful 750-day land clearance campaign.
Chairman Vo Kim Cu reaffirmed that Ha Tinh Province remained committed to fulfilling all responsibilities, overcoming difficulties, and ensuring the project proceeded on schedule.
Following the ceremony, the first foundation piles for Blast Furnace No. 1 were driven deep into the ground. The sounds of pile drivers, bulldozers, and cranes echoed throughout the area as construction advanced rapidly.
Together with the Son Duong Iron and Steel Complex and Deep-Water Port Project, other major projects such as the Vung Ang Power Center with a total capacity of 6,300 MW and the National Petroleum Storage Complex are contributing to a powerful industrial transformation in Vung Ang, one of Vietnam’s key economic zones.
Source: BaoHaTinh.vn
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