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Supporting clean technology and sustainable water management in Vietnam

24 Dec 2011  


Vietnam is asking a lot of its water resources. Population growth and exploitation for economic development pose an increasing pressure on the country’s resources, causing destruction of precious habitats, water quality deterioration and groundwater mismanagement. Moreover, climate change adds to the already serious effects of natural disasters. While Vietnam has taken important steps in many areas and set up a strong legal framework, there is a constant struggle for the application of that framework and the development of clear policy positions and approaches to assist good management. For many years, DHI has used it state-of-the-art technology to support sustainable water management and resource use in Vietnam. Recent agreements make sure that these efforts are not only continued but expanded.

To celebrate the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Denmark and Vietnam, a large Danish trade delegation led by the Danish Crown Prince recently visited Vietnam. Representatives of DHI participated in the delegation, offering their support for one of the top priorities of Vietnam’s development strategy: sustainable water management and clean technology.
Vietnam DHI Delgation
Working towards the establishment of a Danish Vietnamese Aquaculture Technology Centre VIDATEC (from left to wright): Ngo Tan Huynh Chuyen, Jacob Bregnballe (Akvagroup), Troung Dinh Hoe (General Secretary VASEP), Jørgen Erik Larsen (DHI Group), To Thi Tuong Lan (Deputy General Secretary VASE

For many years, DHI has been greatly involved in Vietnam, e.g. through the implementation of several water management solutions and delivery of MIKE by DHI software. This visit offered the opportunity to sign a cooperation agreement with the Water Resources University in Hanoi, sealing our ongoing fruitful cooperation. DHI will provide software, training and support to the university.

Moreover, it was decided during the visit to push further the establishment of a Danish Vietnamese Aquaculture Technology Centre (VIDATEC). DHI, together with AquaCircle (The Organisation of Danish Aquaculture Technology Suppliers) and the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), fully supported this initiative.

By transferring new technology from Danish aquaculture technology suppliers to the Vietnamese aquaculture industry, VIDATEC is expected to play a major role in establishing strong green partnerships between these companies. It will also set the framework for future development in the sector. The first area in focus will be pangasius farming, where VIDATEC aims at developing a more sustainable approach on optimisation and quality growth, benefitting both producers and the environment.

More info on water resources in Vietnam today…

Vietnam has one of the fastest growing economies in the world. As a result, there is growing competition for both surface water and groundwater in the dry season, and the quality of these is deteriorating rapidly as a result of a vast range of both land and water based developments and activities. Also, Vietnam's mountainous topography and tropical monsoon climate profoundly affect the quantity and distribution of water resources. Rainfall occurs unevenly in time and space, causing frequent flooding and long dry periods.

Nearly 82 million people or 97% of Vietnam’s country population live in the major river basins, about a third of these in the Red - Thai Binh basin, mostly in and around Hanoi. The basin accounts for about a quarter of the nation’s water use. In 2012, DHI will start an assessment and flood warning project for the entire Hanoi.

 
 Nguyen Quang Kim, director of the Water Resource University in Hanoi, and Jørgen Erik Larsen from DHI Group





Want to know more ?

Jørgen Erik Larsen

jln@dhigroup.com

Duong Quoc Vinh

dqv@dhigroup.com