"This is a key national project ... We have to ensure there is no wastefulness and corruption during its implementation," Prime Minister Phan Van Khai said at the opening ceremony broadcast live on television.

The dam, costing more than 2.6 billion dollars, is expected to begin generating electricity in 2012. The power plant will have a projected capacity of 2,400 megawatts, with full operations planned by 2015.

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