The total volume of the country’s river basins is about 844 km³/year, but only about 340 km³ (40%) is within the country, while the remaining 60% is generated from neighboring countries (MONRE 2022).

Although Viet Nam enjoys abundant surface water resources in general, they are unevenly distributed across the country due partly to uneven rainfall distribution. The total volume of water exploited is about 117.03 billion m³ (approx. 12.5% of total national water volume), of which over 73% is used for agricultural purposes (about 78 billion m³/year). Water is also used for energy production, daily life, aquaculture and industrial production, tourism and services. There is a trend of rising water use in industry, fisheries, tourism, services and living. Water use for agricultural production is highest in the Mekong Delta and Red River Delta, accounting for 70% of water use. The catchment area with the highest industrial water use rate is Dong Nai, accounting for 68.3% of the total water use for Viet Nam’s industry (MONRE 2022). The structure of water use is expected to change by 2030, with 66.4% going to agriculture, 9.9% to industry, 4.2% to domestic uses, and 19.5% to other purposes (MONRE 2022). In addition, rapid urbanization and the prolonged dry season due to the impacts of climate change are causing serious water shortages in many areas of the country, especially in areas around the Mekong river basin.

It is predicted that Viet Nam will become one of the countries most vulnerable to climate change and is likely to face significant impacts, especially in its water resources – in particular surface water resources. Impacts from climate change will vary according to region, and in recent years the northern delta and central coastal regions have already been affected by longer dry periods and torrential rains, resulting in droughts and flooding, as well as rising sea levels, storms, flooding and coastal erosion. The southern region is relatively flat and geologically weak, and is prone to flooding and saltwater intrusion as a result of sea level rise, with about 45% of the region projected to be at risk by 2030 (MONRE 2018).

In addition to surface water, groundwater is also an important water supply source for domestic, industrial and agricultural activities. According to MONRE (2022), groundwater in Viet Nam is relatively plentiful due to the abundant rainfall, which is distributed widely across the country. Reserves are estimated at about 189.3 million m³/day, mainly located in northern delta, southern delta and central highlands regions. The total volume of groundwater exploitation is about 10.5 million m³/day, of which the northern and southern deltas are the two most exploited areas, with total capacities of about 5.87 million m³/day, accounting for 55.7% of the country’s exploitation. Recently, due to overexploitation of groundwater in areas such as Hanoi and the Mekong delta, problems of falling water tables associated land subsidence and salinity intrusion have been reported.

Please read: Outlook 2024 Vietnam

Legislative framework for water quality management (Source: WEPA Outlook 2024):

• Law on Environmental Protection (Outside source: Hai Duong)
• Law on Water Resources (Outside source: FAO)

Institutional arrangement of water environment management (Source: WEPA Outlook 2024)

National Technical Regulation on Surface Water Quality (In Vietnamese; Outside source: MONRE）

National Technical Regulation on Groundwater Quality (In Vietnamese; Outside source: VATECH）

National Technical Regulation on Coastal Water Quality (In Vietnamese; Outside source: Gree-VN）

“Updates of Water Environment Governance in Viet Nam”

“Drainage and Wastewater Treatment Planning in Vietnam”

“Status of Groundwater in Vietnam”

“Situation Analysis on Pig Manure and Effluent Management in Vietnam”

“Pig Wastewater Management in Vietnam”

“Pig Farming Waste Management in Viet Nam”

Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment