Water security in Vietnam faces multiple challenges: (1) The decline in water quality resulting from point sources of pollution due to industrial, agricultural, and daily activities; and non-point sources of pollution due to residual use of fertilizers and chemicals from agricultural activities and waste, etc; (2) Increasingly severe floods and droughts in different parts of the country due to sea levels changes, rising temperatures, and unstable rainfall changes, which result from climate change; (3) Conflicts over water resources because of our country’s location which is at downstream regions of the Mekong River and the Red River, leading to the fact that our water resources depend heavily on water resources of upstream countries; (4) Degraded infrastructure and the lack of modern infrastructure, referring to the fact that the dam management system is degraded, the water supply and drainage system is outdated and unsynchronized. 

On June 3rd, 2024, the Policy Dialogue on “The Alarming Rate Of Water Insecurity” broadcast on Vietnam National Assembly Television discusses some aspects of challenges and some viable solutions. This program is included in a discussion series. Experts from Vietnam Water Conservation Network including Mrs. Nguyen Ngoc Ly, Mr. Dao Trong Tu, Mr. Truong Manh Tien, and Mrs. Hoang Thi Thu Huong, take part in this discussion series. 

The program helps provide information and reflect on the status quo of water pollution as well as law enforcement, proposes some solutions on water security, ensuring dam safety, reducing pollution as well as measures to adapt to climate change. 

We invite you to follow the program on this link: https://www.quochoitv.vn/doi-thoai-chinh-sach-bao-dong-mat-an-ninh-nguon-nuoc-224377.htm 

Currently, Vietnam faces numerous water security challenges, including the increasing risk of resource degradation and depletion, weak water exploitation controls, and worsening surface water pollution in both severity and sphere. This status quo demands the development of strategies, goals, and solutions to ensure water security. Given the increasingly negative and unpredictable impacts of climate change, water security is an issue attracting more concern. As a result, at the 7th session of the 15th National Assembly, water security is a key topic of questioning, with the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment addressing policies and enforcement on water security, along with solutions for preventing droughts, saltwater intrusion, and shortages, as well as the reduction of water resource depletion and pollution.