The government has agreed to implement mechanisms and solutions to address difficulties at the two projects as proposed by the Ministry of Health.
Specifically, practical and feasible measures based on real-world conditions have been outlined to expedite the completion of construction and bring the second facilities of these two hospitals into operation.
The approach to resolving challenges adheres to the guiding principles of the Communist Party, appropriately applying state policies and laws while ensuring feasibility in execution.
Additionally, the investment will continue according to the approved total budget. If additional funding is required to ensure the completion and synchronized operation of the two projects, the Ministry of Health will lead and collaborate with relevant agencies to report to higher authorities for consideration and decision-making.
Construction site of Phase 2 of Bach Mai and Viet Duc HospitalsConstruction of Phase 2 of Bach Mai and Viet Duc Hospitals in Ha Nam began in 2014 but remains incomplete (Photo: Nguyễn Hải).
The resolution plan ensures objectivity and transparency, based on existing legal documentation and reports from the project owner, along with the current status of the construction site and results from inspections and audits conducted by authorized bodies.
Regarding mechanisms and solutions, the government has permitted contract adjustments for packages XDBM-01, XDBM-02; XDVĐ-01, XDVĐ-02 to proceed with completing the contracts under the following principles:
First, adjusted contract prices are determined based on the approved detailed design budgets, reduced by the percentage (%) savings achieved during bidding for each package.
Second, adjusting contract prices will not exceed the approved total investment for the projects.
Third, payment amounts are established based on actual completed work volumes verified during inspection and corresponding adjusted unit prices at the time of payment.
Payment for completed work within the contract cannot exceed the adjusted contract price (excluding contingency reserves). Contingency funds in the approved detailed design budget are only used to pay for additional work exceeding the approved design scope.
The resolution takes effect from February 13.
The government has also tasked the Ministry of Health with directing the project owners to promptly adjust contracts and implement the two projects under the mechanisms and solutions outlined in this resolution, ensuring construction is completed this year.
Simultaneously, the ministry must direct Bach Mai Hospital and Viet Duc Friendship Hospital to prepare necessary human resources and other prerequisites to operate Phase 2 effectively immediately after project completion.
The Ministry of Planning and Investment and the Ministry of Finance are responsible for reporting to higher authorities to allocate additional funding for the projects, ensuring capital requirements align with implementation schedules and regulations.
The Ministry of Construction will continue reviewing technical design budgets for electrical and mechanical components of the Phase 2 construction projects of Bach Mai and Viet Duc Hospitals. Within their assigned functions and authority, they must promptly guide the Ministry of Health and direct relevant units to implement the resolution, ensuring progress and quality.
The Ministry of National Defense, within its assigned roles and authority, must direct relevant units to implement the resolution, ensuring progress and quality.
The government has also requested the State Audit Office to audit final project settlement reports as per regulations.
The Ministry of Health and related agencies, within their assigned functions, are responsible for the reported content, data, and mechanisms to resolve challenges in the Phase 2 construction projects of Bach Mai and Viet Duc Friendship Hospitals.
Phase 2 of Bach Mai Hospital has a capacity of 1,000 beds, with a total floor area of 118,941m². The total investment is VND 4,990 billion, sourced from the state budget (VND 4,500 billion) and other sources.
Phase 2 of Viet Duc Friendship Hospital also has a capacity of 1,000 beds, with a total floor area of 117,714m². The total investment is VND 4,968 billion, sourced from the state budget (VND 4,500 billion) and other sources.
At the end of 2014, Phase 2 of Bach Mai and Viet Duc Hospitals in Phu Ly City (Ha Nam Province) began construction, anticipated to become the largest and most modern hospitals ever built in Vietnam. This marked the first time Vietnam constructed hospitals to international standards.
On October 21, 2018, the outpatient departments of both facilities were officially inaugurated.
However, only Bach Mai Hospital’s outpatient department was operational for a period from March 2019 to March 2020 before temporarily halting operations. It was later repurposed as a centralized quarantine area for Covid-19 prevention.
Meanwhile, Viet Duc Hospital’s Phase 2 merely held an inauguration ceremony and never received patients.
During construction, numerous contractual issues arose. In early 2021, the project was temporarily suspended, and since then, challenges remain unresolved without clear mechanisms to address ongoing difficulties.
