WACO on August 15, 2005 signed a contract to implement the tender package of “Improvement Tertiary Technical Infrastructure of Area 3, An Cu Ward, Ninh Kieu District, Can Tho City” under the Can Tho Urban Upgrading Project with total funding of US$11.5 million for both An Cu Ward and An Hoi Ward of Ninh Kieu District, Can Tho City. This tender package was completed for 130 days (from August to December 2005). Main construction items included improvement of alleys, water supply and drainage system, street lighting and domestic power supply systems in the low-income residential area of Area 3 of An Cu Ward.

The Can Tho Urban Upgrading Project, with total funding of US$40 million (including WB loans, Japan’s ODA funds and local counterpart fund), saw its first phase completed in 2007. The project was highly appreciated since it contributed positively to environmental, living condition, and urban landscape improvements. Since late 2005, Can Tho municipality has conducted a series of urban improvement projects, including mainly improvement and expansion of 600 alleys in low-income residential areas. Can Tho wais one of the 4 cities of Vietnam which were funded by World Bank on urban upgrading with the aim of improving urban tertiary technical infrastructure in low-income residential communities; improving the primary and secondary infrastructure for connection with the tertiary infrastructure; building housing improvement credit programs for low-income households. The first phase of the project was implemented in An Cu and An Hoi Wards of Ninh Kieu District.