Japan-funded roadside station inaugurated

      A Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)-funded roadside station was officially put into use in the northern province of Bac Giang on May 19 after almost one year of construction.
The Bac Giang station, located in Song Khe commune, Yen Dung district, on National Highway No. 1A, is the last among the three pilot roadside stations built within the framework of the Study on National Roadside Stations Master Plan in Vietnam, which was kick-started in February, 2007, with a total investment of 427 million JPY (roughly US$4.33 million).
Prior to the Bac Giang station, the two other stations in Ninh Binh and Hoa Binh provinces opened their doors to travellers in February and March.
According to JICA Vietnam Office, the three roadside stations will serve as the model for more facilities in other provinces. The construction of these stations was estimated at a total cost of 115 million JPY (US$1.16 million).
The stations provide not only a place to rest but also public information and local specialties. Along with providing assistance for construction of the roadside station, JICA will share experience with local authorities and train core staff in the operation and management of the stations.
The Vietnam Road Department hoped that by 2015, Vietnam will have about 80 standardised roadside stations.