MAE launches National Rural Clean Water and Environmental Sanitation Week

This year’s National Rural Clean Water and Environmental Sanitation Week is themed: Safe Water Supply - Digital Technology Application - Sustainable Development. It aims to raise awareness, responsibility, and participation among citizens, communities, organizations, and local authorities in rural clean water and environmental sanitation efforts, contributing to improved quality of life and the achievement of new rural development goals for the 2026-2030 period.

According to statistics from the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, as of the end of 2025, 74.23% of rural households nationwide had access to water meeting standards. Of this, 54.92% used clean water from centralized supply systems, while 19.31% relied on household-level water supply.

However, rural clean water supply continues to face significant challenges and stark disparities across regions. The Red River Delta records the highest proportion of households using water that meets standards at 89.73%, while the Northern Midlands and Mountainous region has the lowest rate at just 46.51%. This region also has the lowest share of households using clean water from centralized supply systems nationwide, at only 18.44%.

In schools, only about 69.4% have standard-compliant sanitation facilities; 37% still lack sufficient access to clean water and soap; and around 7.7 million students have yet to gain access to safe water sources and hygienic sanitation facilities.

People, communities, organizations, and local authorities across Vietnam are actively engaging in community initiatives, climate action, and efforts to promote water conservation and hygiene practices. UNICEF Vietnam continues to support initiatives that encourage the participation of children and youth in water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH).

In Tuyen Quang province, 96.9% of the rural population has access to hygienic water for daily use, while 51.3% use clean water that meets standards. A total of 101 out of 117 communes have reported data under the 2025 Rural Clean Water Monitoring and Evaluation Index.

Mr. Hoang Gia Long, Vice Chairman of the Tuyen Quang Provincial People’s Committee, affirmed that the province will continue to mobilize resources, strengthen communication efforts, and raise public awareness, while placing emphasis on protecting water sources and developing clean water supply infrastructure, especially in remote and disadvantaged areas.

Throughout the Week, the aim is to enhance the awareness and responsibility of officials, students, and the public in using water efficiently and economically; protecting water resources; maintaining a green, clean, and beautiful environment; and actively participating in community activities for better health and quality of life.

By the end of 2025, the proportion of rural residents in the province with access to hygienic water reached 98%. Of this figure, 55% had access to clean water that meets the standards set by the Ministry of Health. The province aims to raise the percentage of households using clean water that meets national standards to 63% in 2026, with a target of 80% by 2030.