Infrastructure - Open Development Mekong

China and Cambodia agree on financing for a 94-mile canal linking the Mekong to the Gulf of Thailand

Cambodia and China have signed a $1.2 billion deal to finance an ambitious canal project that aims to boost trade efficiency by linking a branch of the Mekong River near Phnom Penh to a port on the Gulf of Thailand, the Cambodian government agency heading the project announced Friday. The deal to fund the Funan […]

The post China and Cambodia agree on financing for a 94-mile canal linking the Mekong to the Gulf of Thailand first appeared on Open Development Mekong.

Southeast Asia’s Quest for Digital Sovereignty

Data is the oil of the 21st century, and Southeast Asia risks pumping its reserves into foreign tanks. The need for the region to develop its own technological infrastructure has never been more pressing. With nearly 700 million people and rapidly growing economies, Southeast Asia has become a pivotal region in the global geopolitical landscape. The technological […]

The post Southeast Asia’s Quest for Digital Sovereignty first appeared on Open Development Mekong.

Infrastructure development boosts economy in Vietnam’s Mekong Delta

Thanks to the national government’s investment in infrastructure in the Mekong Delta, localities in the region have achieved outstanding results in economic development over the past few years, returning to the growth trajectory seen before the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2021-25, the economy of the Mekong Delta and the country as a whole were heavily impacted […]

The post Infrastructure development boosts economy in Vietnam’s Mekong Delta first appeared on Open Development Mekong.

Cambodia starts work on canal linking Mekong River to sea

Cambodia has launched a controversial canal project to link the Mekong River to the sea. Work on the $1.7bn project kicked off on Monday. Phnom Penh hopes the canal will boost the country’s economy. However, concern over the impact on the region’s environment and foreign relations is rife. The Funan Techo Canal will run from […]

The post Cambodia starts work on canal linking Mekong River to sea first appeared on Open Development Mekong.

Bangkok to Beijing train: Mekong River railway bridge opens

Travellers are one step closer to an epic train journey from Bangkok to Beijing as a new railway bridge over the Mekong River has opened, linking Thailand and Laos by rail for the first time. This milestone, completed last month, leaves just a few dozen miles of a trackless gap before the route can finally reach China. With the launch of this new service, passengers can now enjoy a 12-hour train […]

The post Bangkok to Beijing train: Mekong River railway bridge opens first appeared on Open Development Mekong.

Strengthening cybersecurity and trust in Cambodia’s digital future

As Cambodia continues its journey of digital transformation, the ASEAN Digital Masterplan 2025 (ADM 2025) serves as a crucial guide for navigating the complexities of cybersecurity and trust in digital services. The plan outlines critical steps that Cambodia, alongside other ASEAN nations, must take to build a secure, inclusive and competitive digital economy. “In this […]

The post Strengthening cybersecurity and trust in Cambodia’s digital future first appeared on Open Development Mekong.

Thailand, Laos to open more friendship bridge this November

The fifth Thai – Lao friendship bridge, which links Bueng Kan province of Thailand with Pakxan town of Laos, is scheduled to open this November. Deputy Transport Minister of Thailand Manaporn Charoensri said recently that the project features a 1.35km crossover with a dual-lane road traversing the Mekong River and a four-lane bypass on the […]

The post Thailand, Laos to open more friendship bridge this November first appeared on Open Development Mekong.

Mercury rising: Why a Thai community believes it is being poisoned across the international border

NAN, Thailand: On clear mornings, at dawn, Ms Kanchanaporn Paeng-ud stands on a hillcrest where her family processes tapioca and looks out beyond the sweeping valleys across to neighbouring country Laos. On the horizon, some 20 km away, she can see what resembles billowing columns of smoke that rise high into the sky. For five […]

The post Mercury rising: Why a Thai community believes it is being poisoned across the international border first appeared on Open Development Mekong.

Dance moves and deepfakes: Indonesia presidential candidates duke it out on TikTok

JAKARTA, Feb 12 (Reuters) – At an Indonesian presidential campaign event, 22-year-old voter Irene Putri Aisyah was busy uploading everything she saw – from cute dances to cooking demonstrations – to short video app TikTok. To court young voters like Irene, all three candidates in the Feb. 14 race to lead Indonesia have gravitated toward TikTok, […]

The post Dance moves and deepfakes: Indonesia presidential candidates duke it out on TikTok first appeared on Open Development Mekong.

Bridge ready to enter service across Can Tho River

Tran Hoang Na Bridge is 600 m long and 23 m wide. It crosses the Can Tho River to link Cai Rang District with the downtown district of Ninh Kieu. It cost VND791 billion (US$33.4 million), funded by the government from official development assistance. Work began in September 2020 and was set to be completed last July but the deadline was rescheduled […]

The post Bridge ready to enter service across Can Tho River first appeared on Open Development Mekong.