Government and counterpart approvals of project processing milestones are important in project design preparation and implementation as these eventually influence the achievement of outcomes. Flexibility in project structuring, reviews, and pre-procurement processes (e.g., advance contracting) ensure that projects are properly scoped and ready. Likewise, a comprehensive assessment of the project’s implementation timeline, financing, and risks involved helps underpin any change in scope. For example, the detailed design for RR3 section 4 was not only dependent on the completion of the feasibility study, but also on MOT’s approval of the basic design and its decision on the financing source, which were interdependent. A delay in one project element causes further delays in the subsequent activities, which hamper the overall implementation schedule.
Ho Chi Minh City Third Ring Road Technical Assistance Project