Water

Country Water Action: Viet Nam
Development of Central Water Supply System in Rural Areas in Viet Nam

About 80% of Vietnamese people earn their living from agriculture. As such, the development of water supply systems in rural areas plays a very important role in improving the quality of life of the people.

Different kinds of central water supply works have been developed quickly over the last decade, and approximately 45% of district towns now have such systems. In the process, a number of gains have been achieved, among them the mobilization of investment capital, particularly from inhabitants, and increased participation of communities, local authorities and mass organizations in the development, management and operation of the central water supply system.

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By 2010, the government envisions most of its towns as efficiently operating its own central water supply systems.

This will mean facing up to many challenges, not least of which are the need for higher investments, better systems and qualified personnel for operation and maintenance of water supply systems, more comprehensive awareness programs to ensure stakeholder participation, and more.

The government recognizes that such a vision will require the following:

• Better state management to create favorable conditions for the development of the central water supply systems
• Improved policies and procedures for investment generation and mobilization
• Human resources training and development for the staff of the central water supply systems
• Application of the appropriate technology

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Mr. Truong Minh Ngoc
National Institute for Urban and Rural Planning
Ministry of Construction, Vietnam
E-mail: niurp@hn.vnn.vn