Five contributions by the Vietnam National Committee on Large Dams and Water Resources Development

The Vietnam National Committee on Large Dams and Water Resources Development held a ceremony on the morning of May 25 to celebrate its 20th anniversary and the 5th National Congress (2024 - 2029). The event saw the participation of experts, leaders, and former leaders in the water resources management sector.

On behalf of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Deputy Minister Nguyen Hoang Hiep extended commendations to the Vietnam National Committee on Large Dams and Water Resources Development on its 20th anniversary. He emphasized that the committee's activities have contributed significantly to the agricultural sector, with notable achievements within the fields of disaster prevention, and water resources management and development.

Firstly, the committee has provided consultation and constructive feedback during the formulation of legal documents related to water resources issues. "Whenever we encounter difficulties or controversial issues in legal documents, the Ministry relies on the committee's input in order to improve existing regulations," Deputy Minister Hiep noted.

Secondly, the committee has participated in developing technical standards to maintain dam safety and protect national water resources in response to the limited standards and regulations within the water resources management sector. Thirdly, the committee has engaged in training, disseminating information, and enhancing management capacity for dam safety.

In addition to domestic efforts, the committee has actively coordinated with other international and regional large dam committees to reinforce Vietnam's position and reputation in the fields of dam and water resources management in a global setting.

Fourthly, the committee has fostered environment where dedicated experts, scientists, officials, and engineers can continue contributing to the sector and the country even after retirement.

"The Ministry has recently consulted with the Vietnam National Committee on Large Dams and Water Resources Development to address various challenging issues within the sector," shared Deputy Minister Nguyen Hoang Hiep.

Deputy Minister Hiep further noted that the current challenges in developing infrastructure for the water resources management sector involve not only funding, but also the expertise and intellectual capacity to formulate optimal and balanced solutions.

In celebration of its 20th anniversary, Dr. Hoang Van Thang, Chairman of the Vietnam National Committee on Large Dams and Water Resources Development, shared that the committee was established alongside Vietnam's efforts to promote the utilization of water resources for irrigation, hydropower, and disaster prevention. Additionally, the largest and most technically advanced dam projects in Vietnam were initiated during this time frame.

Notable water resources projects include Cua Dat, Ta Trach, Ngan Truoi - Cam Trang, Nuoc Trong - Van Phong, Tan My, EA Sup, Phuoc Hoa, and Cai Lon - Cai Be. On the other hand, prominent hydropower projects include Son La, Lai Chau, Huoi Quang, Ban Chat, and Pleikrong.

"The committee has brought together experts and scientists to provide consultation and feedback at various stages of project implementation, including planning, designing, constructing, troubleshooting, and developing standards and technical guidelines. The active participation of the committee has contributed significantly to the success of the dynamic dam development phase in Vietnam," emphasized Dr. Hoang Van Thang.

The committee's strength lies in its ability to gather leading experts and scientists with extensive knowledge and experience, capable of addressing issues related to water security and dam safety. However, health concerns pose a significant challenge, given that the majority of committee members are retired experts. Moreover, the committee's activities are limited by funding and operational mechanism issues.

Dr. Hoang Van Thang also affirmed that in additon to proposing new mechanisms, the committee is actively enhancing its capacity to provide consultation and feedback. Additionally, it aims to promote communication, information dissemination, and international cooperation activities in the near future.

During the ceremony, the Vietnam National Committee on Large Dams and Water Resources Development received commendations from the Prime Minister and the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development.

The infrastructure system for water resources management in Pho Yen city, Thai Nguyen province, has received significant investment priority. However, several well-established canal routes within the city have deteriorated in terms of quality, requiring immediate repairs and upgrades to support agricultural production.