Preparatory Documents for the International Seminar

• Seminar First Announcement
• Seminar Second Announcement

The Seminar had been preceded, on 22^nd and 23^st October 2013, by the meeting of World Road Association Technical Committee 3.3 on Road Tunnel Operation in Da Nang City, where attendees listened to presentations on tunnel management and operation and participated to a technical visit at Hai Van tunnel.

The seminar itself welcomed 30 foreign experts from 10 countries, including PIARC members, senior officials from Cambodia and Lao PDR, and more than 60 Vietnamese top officials and experts from various national and regional bodies.

While welcoming participants, Mr Van Huu Chien, Chairman of Da Nang People's Committee, pointed out that after two successive storms the City overcame consequences and could still present the aspect of a dynamic, developed and hospitable city. On behalf of two organizing agencies, Mr Ngo Thinh Duc, Chairman of VIBRA, expressed their honour to host World Road Association Seminar on road tunnels, stressing the complex technique it requires and its high significance for developing countries like Viet Nam.

The Chairman of Technical Committee 3.3, Mr Ignacio Del Rey (Spain) thanked Viet Nam organizing agencies and started with presentation on The World Road Association and its Road Tunnel Operations Technical Committee.

During the seminar itself, co-chaired by VIBRA, the Directorate for roads of Viet Nam (DRVN) and the World Road Association, 16 presentations dealt with several examples and challenges recently faced by Viet Nam as well as with recent developments in various countries (Belgium, China, Denmark, France, Norway, Switzerland, UK), displaying a wide range of topics from both local and international experience. They were enriched by numerous and frank questions and comments from all participants.

In the closing session, Mr Ngo Thinh Duc and chairman Ignacio del Rey sincerely thanked the Chairman of Da Nang People's Committee and related agencies of the City for creating favourable conditions for the seminar.