Viet Nam, FAO partner to restore water quality in the Gulf of Tonkin

The Department of Water Resources Management under the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment has signed the Project Document for the "Strengthening water resources governance and institutional compliance to address dissolved oxygen depletion in the Gulf of Tonkin" in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). The project is funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) through FAO, with the Department of Water Resources Management serving as the implementing agency.

The project aims to address dissolved oxygen depletion in the Gulf of Tonkin by controlling nutrient pollution originating from inland areas, strengthening integrated water resources management, and improving compliance with water quality protection policies. Rather than focusing solely on treating pollution after it reaches rivers and coastal waters, the project emphasizes preventing pollution at its source.

To achieve this goal, the project will establish an integrated database that covers environmental, water resources, and socio-economic information, providing a scientific foundation for evidence-based management and decision-making.

At the same time, pollution transport models tracing nutrient flows from river basins to coastal waters will be developed to help authorities better assess pollution pathways and respond more effectively.

Based on research findings, the project will also support improvements to institutional frameworks and policies while promoting effective water management models at the local level.

A key feature of the project is its river basin approach, which connects upstream catchments with estuaries and coastal ecosystems. This integrated management model will help control pollution at its source while ensuring coordinated water quality management throughout the watershed, in line with the provisions of Viet Nam's 2023 Law on Water Resources.

The four-year project will be implemented across seven provinces and centrally governed cities within the Red River Basin: Hanoi, Hai Phong, Hung Yen, Phu Tho, Bac Ninh, Ninh Binh and Quang Ninh.

Project activities are organized into four closely linked components: strengthening institutional capacity and raising awareness; improving policies, financing mechanisms and management tools; implementing pilot models; and promoting knowledge management, communication and community engagement. Gender equality will be integrated throughout all project activities.

According to Mr. Chau Tran Vinh, Director General of the Department of Water Resources Management, the signing of the Project Document marks not only the beginning of a four-year partnership but also a shift from identifying problems to taking concrete action to address the growing challenge of nutrient pollution. This pollution, mainly originating from domestic wastewater, agricultural production and aquaculture, is a leading cause of dissolved oxygen depletion in estuarine and coastal waters.

In the longer term, Mr. Vinh said the project is expected to improve water quality in the Red River Delta and the Gulf of Tonkin while generating scientific evidence and integrated data to support future policymaking.

By combining institutional reforms, science-based solutions and stronger multi-stakeholder cooperation, the project aims to reduce pollution, restore aquatic ecosystems, conserve biodiversity and enhance climate resilience, ultimately contributing to sustainable water security in Vietnam.