VNCOLD for the mission of ensuring water security

Dr. Hoang Van Thang - former Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chairman of the Vietnam National Committee on Large Dams and Water Resources Development ('VNCOLD'), chaired the conference with the participation of about 130 members of the Executive Committee in two offline and online session.

In the past, the Association has made many contributions in consulting and giving social criticism to developing institutions and policies related to the water sector, such as commenting and criticizing drafts of the Law on water resources (revised), Project on water source security and safety of dams and reservoirs; Irrigation Planning and Disaster Prevention; Planning on Water Resources; Planning for the Red River Basin…, Decree 114/2018/ND-CP on the safe management of dams and reservoirs.

In October 2022, with the sponsorship of the Vietnam Union of Science and Technology Associations (VUSTA), VNCOLD held a seminar on the topic "Water security in the Red River Delta" with the presence of representatives from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (Irrigation Department, Department of Disaster Prevention and Control, Institute of Irrigation Planning, Institute of Science and Technology, Irrigation Management One Member LLCs, ..), Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MARD) Department of Water Management, Institute of Water Resources Science,...), Ministry of Industry and Trade (EVN, Son La Hydropower Company, Hoa Binh, ...), etc., and nearly 100 experts and scientists.

The conference listened to the presentation of 10 reports assessing the current situation, pointing out the causes, and proposing structural and non-structural solutions to restore the Red River water source. Research results and practice show that, in the upcoming time, the security of the Red River's water source for production and life is threatened, requiring the participation of scientists, managers, and the political system.

On February 16, 2023, the Department of Industrial Safety and Environment Engineering (ISEA) and VNCOLD coordinated with the Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) and The Japan Water Administration (JWA) co-hosted the conference "Science and technology in dam safety assessment and inspection". The seminar was held directly in Vietnam with agencies and organizations at home and abroad.

With these outstanding contributions, the Association's role for its members has become increasingly prominent, attracting more members in dams and hydropower reservoirs. Many activities have been carried out for union members to ensure water security and dam safety.

The Association's prestige has been recognized by the Vietnam Union of Associations, ministries, branches, and dam owners through participating in the Advisory Council for evaluating national dam safety on the Da River hydropower ladder, the Advisory Council Ministerial-level dam safety assessment consultation for irrigation dams established by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, hydropower dams established by the Ministry of Industry and Trade.

Also, international cooperation activities have been promoted. VNCOLD has reintegrated, joined the International Commission on Large Dams ('ICOLD') after six years of hiatus, worked closely with major Dam Associations and partners in the region, and organized The delegation attended, contributing to the success of the World Large Dam Conference in March 2023 in Malaysia.

At the meeting, the Executive Board of the Association members discussed, commented, and voted to amend and supplement seven regulations on the Association's operation. The meeting approved the Conference Resolution, according to which, in the coming time, the Association will continue to focus on simultaneously solving technical, technological, and institutional issues related to the dam and reservoir safety;

Continue to comment and critique major national issues related to water resources, irrigation, and disaster prevention, such as water security of the Red River Delta, water security and dam safety, water reservoirs.

In 2022, VNCOLD established expert groups to participate in academic activities with the Technical Committees (TCs) of ICOLD. Initially, more than 30 experts volunteered to participate, divided into five groups: (1) Policy institutions; (2) Hydro-hydraulic group; (3) Group of geology and geotechnical engineering; (4) Dam design team; and (5) Environmental and social groups. In November 2022, the geological and geotechnical group began to participate in academic activities (online) with international experts on the topic of "tropical sedimentary soils used in dams".

VNCOLD is a socio-professional organization of people working in dams and sustainable water development in or related to Vietnam. The association is a member of the Vietnam General Association of Construction and is listed in the directory of the Vietnam Union of Science and Technology Associations.

VNCOLD was established in 2004. The Association's charter was approved at the 1st Congress on July 11, 2004, and approved by the Ministry of Home Affairs in Decision No.73/2004/QD-BNV dated November 1, 2004.