Construction of a large reservoir project began on May 30in central Nghe An Province's Quy Hop district.

"This is one of the largest irrigation projects in the north-central region," said Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Sinh Hung at the ground-breaking ceremony. "It will help prevent lowland flooding, irrigate crops and provide water to thousands of households living along river banks," he added.

The project, which will have a capacity of 235,000cu.m per day, will provide irrigation water for more than 26,000ha of agriculture land in the districts of Quy Hop, Nghia Dan, Tan Ky, Anh Son and Thai Hoa township.

The five-year construction project will cost more than 236 million USD.

Hung asked the project management unit and construction contractors to ensure the project's timeline, safety and quality.

In the first phase, the project will provide water for 18,871ha of agricultural land along the Hieu River . It will also provide water to the Ca River during the dry season, and be used for aquaculture and other breeding activities, among other uses./.