📋 Tender Overview
The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment requests 24 provinces and cities to proactively implement solutions to respond to the risk of water shortage in the dry season of 2026. Download Proactively managing water resources in the dry season of 2026 is a key factor to harmonize the goal of ensuring energy security and meeting the needs of sustainable socio-economic development The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment has just issued an Official Dispatch 4600/BNNMT-TNN sent to the Peoples Committees of 24 provinces and cities requesting localities to proactively deploy solutions to respond to the risk of water shortage in the context of increasing hydropower mobilization to ensure national energy security in the dry season of 2026. 24 localities that need to proactively respond to water shortage include: Hanoi, Dien Bien, Lai Chau, Lao Cai, Son La, Tuyen Quang, Phu Tho, Bac Ninh, Hung Yen, Hai Phong, Ninh Binh, Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, Ha Tinh, Quang Tri, Hue City, Da Nang City, Gia Lai, Quang Ngai, Dak Lak, Lam Dong, Dong Nai, Tay Ninh, Ho Chi Minh City Facing the risk of local water shortages that may occur during the dry season, the Ministry requests local Peoples Committees to direct specialized agencies to strengthen coordination with reservoir management and operation units to closely monitor developments in water sources and water discharge mode from upstream. On that basis, proactively update and adjust water exploitation and use plans in accordance with reality; Timely report when there is a risk of major impact on water use demand in the area. Along with that, localities need to organize flexible operation of water exploitation projects according to the discharge plans of reservoirs; At the same time, promote the renovation and upgrading of infrastructure to increase the ability to be proactive in taking water. In the field of agricultural production, the Ministry requires the implementation of economical irrigation solutions, especially in the late period of the Winter-Spring crop and preparation for the Summer-Autumn crop; Make the most of water sources from small rivers, streams, ponds and irrigation reservoirs to reduce pressure on main water sources. In addition, localities need to review water exploitation and use activities at irrigation and hydroelectric reservoirs in addition to the inter-reservoir operation process; Strengthen coordination with the regional power system dispatching agency to effectively mobilize small and medium hydropower plants, limit excess discharge, and optimize water resources. The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment emphasized that proactively operating and using water resources economically and effectively in the dry season of 2026 is a key factor to harmonize the goal of ensuring energy security and meeting the needs of sustainable socio-economic development of localities. Social security adapts to Responding to water scarcity Also related to the issue of water security in the dry season, the International Labor Organization (ILO) has also just released a report Promoting livelihoods to adapt to climate change in Vietnam - Water scarcity and income security in the Mekong River basin. The report analyzed options for adjusting the social security system to increase resilience to water scarcity due to climate change. The report points out that the Mekong Delta - the pillar of Vietnams agriculture - provides about 50% of rice output, 95% of exported rice, 60% of exported seafood and 70% of the countrys fruit, and contributes about 1/3 of agricultural GDP. However, this region is suffering from increasingly serious impacts of climate change. Analysis shows that social security plays an important role in both short-term response and long-term adaptation. In the short term, the system helps stabilize income, reduce medical costs through health insurance and provide emergency support when drought, flood or saltwater intrusion occurs. In the long term, social security supports workers in changing their livelihoods, diversifying their income and improving their ability to adapt to changing climate conditions. However, the ILO assesses that social security in responding to water scarcity is still limited. Many current policies are still short-term reactive, while early warning mechanisms, automatic support activation and links to disaster risk management have not been deployed synchronously. Surveys in provinces in the Mekong basin show that more than 30-40% of households have reduced income after droughts, more than 20% have had direct impacts on their livelihoods, while medical costs have increased due to diseases related to water shortage. Although the majority of people have access to information about support policies, the level of social security benefits is still lower than measures related to water infrastructure. ILO recommends that Vietnam needs to develop adaptive social security as a pillar in its sustainable development strategy. This system includes expanding social insurance for informal workers, building a basic social security floor, improving emergency assistance mechanisms, and strengthening the link between the social security system and early warning. Thu CucSee moreHue: Control water sources early and remotely to cope with droughtSee moreBasis for determining the scope of water resource protection corridorSee moreStrictly monitor water sources to cope with drought and ensure productionSee moreNew proposal on fees for exploiting and using water resources
