Lao Cai (VNA) – A 27.68-million Euro project was launched on Sept. 29 to develop infrastructure and ecotourism in the northern mountainous province of Lao Cai.

The French Development Agency (AFD) contributed 22.8 million Euro to the project, including a loan of 22 million Euro and a grant of 800,000 Euro, while the rest has been sourced from the French Fund for World Environment (FFEM) and the Government of Vietnam.

The project will support the upgrading of 305 km of rural roads in the four districts of Sa Pa , Bat Xat, Bac Ha and Si Ma Cai to facilitate local socio-economic development.

Sa Pa town is also expected to receive a facelift as a result, as it will be provided with part of the funding to improve urban roads, drainage, public lighting and waster water treatment facilities in the town.

New waste water treatment facilities will also be built in Bat Xat district and Lao Cai city.

In addition, the project will also help Lao Cai to develop tourism, particularly ecotourism and adventure tourism, combined with the protection of wildlife, the environment and the cultural identities of local ethnic minority groups.

AFD has provided a total of around 870 million EUR to Vietnam since it began working in the country 14 years ago -