Hue tests aquatic weed harvester on rivers

In recent years, the rapid proliferation of water hyacinth on many rivers across Hue City has become a growing concern. During the dry season, dense mats of water hyacinth cover large sections of river surfaces, obstructing water flow, hindering waterway transportation, worsening water pollution, and negatively affecting the city's environmental landscape.

In downstream sections of the Huong River, the Bo River, and numerous on-farm routes, the fast growth rate of water hyacinth has created significant challenges for collection and environmental sanitation activities.

In addition to the dense water hyacinth, large amounts of weeds, decayed trees, and floating waste remain present, placing considerable pressure on local authorities in managing the water environment.

In response to this situation, the "Hue – Plastic Smart City in Central Viet Nam" project (TVA/WWF-Viet Nam) has recently provided one specialized aquatic weed harvester each to Dan Dien Commune and Hoa Chau Ward, two localities heavily affected by water hyacinth infestation.

During the pilot phase from May 28 to June 2, the participating units will continue monitoring the machine's performance and fine-tuning several technical components and accessories to ensure effective operation under the actual conditions of rivers across the city, where dense water hyacinth coverage, heavy sediment accumulation, shallow water depths, and the presence of weeds, vegetation, and floating waste are common.

Powered by a diesel engine, the machine is capable of traveling on roads before entering the water for operation, enhancing its flexibility and enabling deployment across multiple locations. After being cut and collected, the water hyacinth will be processed and reused as mulching material and organic fertilizer for agricultural production, moving toward a circular, low-emission model.

The aquatic weed harvester is expected to be officially handed over to local authorities in the second week of June 2026. In addition to the two directly supported localities, other communes and wards across the city will also be able to register to borrow the machine for river and waterway environmental cleanup activities as needed.

The deployment of the aquatic weed harvester not only helps address pollution and waterway obstruction issues but also serves as a practical solution to enhance urban environmental management, moving toward the development of a green, clean, and sustainable Hue City.

Launched in 2021 with funding from the Norwegian people through WWF-Norway and WWF-Vietnam, the "Hue – Plastic Smart City in Central Viet Nam" project aims to help Hue protect rivers, wetlands, and coastal ecosystems from plastic pollution while building the city into a model plastic-reduced urban area in central Viet Nam.

​The project followed a roadmap built around five key objectives: improving policies and strengthening stakeholder engagement; reducing plastic waste generation; minimizing waste leakage during collection and transportation; increasing collection and recycling rates; and improving waste treatment and disposal.

After 5 years, the project has achieved considerable results, creating positive transformation in managing solid waste and reducing plastic waste pollution in Hue City. Specifically, the project helped prevent 933.6 tons of plastic waste from being released into the natural environment. Additionally, daily waste separation was implemented across the city, forming a waste separation habit in the community. The project also equipped equipment and facilities such as garbage compactor trucks, storage bin containers, and post-collection solutions. The total in-kind funding sponsored was over VND 26 billion.

Standing Vice Chairman of the Hue City People’s Committee Hoang Hai Minh said the results achieved are shown through not only specific figures or models but also changes in public awareness and actions for environmental protection, waste separation, and plastic waste reduction. These changes are the core foundation for sustainable development, contributing to conserving the natural ecosystem, respecting natural law, ensuring harmonious development, and creating a peaceful and familiar environment.

The People’s Committee committed to continuing to accompany localities, businesses, organizations, and communities so that plastic reduction ideas could become regular and long-term actions. This contributes to enhancing the living standard and introducing a friendly, green, sustainable, and environmentally responsible city to tourists and international friends.

$1 = VND 26,395 - Source: Vietcombank