Funded by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS), the project aims to support the Vietnamese government in strengthening its regulatory framework for water resources management, with a particular focus on flood and drought risk management. To achieve this, the project will formulate targeted recommendations and assist in coordinating and engaging key stakeholders, including government institutions, civil society, the private sector, and other relevant actors in the water sector.
The project is structured around two main areas of focus.
The first area involves reviewing decision support systems, with a particular emphasis on river basin management and planning. The objective is to identify existing gaps and provide recommendations for improvement. A key component of this process is the sharing of knowledge and expertise from Italy, a country with a long-standing tradition of water resources management through its Basin Authorities. The aim is to assess whether Italian best practices and procedures can be adapted to and inform the Vietnamese context in relation to integrated river basin management.
The second area focuses on improving the efficiency of water resources forecasting and management, particularly in relation to flooding and droughts – two major challenges for water management in Viet Nam. Strengthening forecasting capabilities in these areas will help mitigate the risks associated with extreme weather events and enhance the resilience of the water system. A case study will be conducted to test the proposed solutions.
Launched in 2023, with a planned duration of two years, the project will also promote direct exchanges and learning experiences between Vietnamese and Italian stakeholders through workshops and a study tour. Ultimately, the goal is to co-develop recommendations to strengthen the regulatory framework for river basin management in Viet Nam, while improving forecasting and management capabilities to enhance the resilience of the national water system and reinforcing existing links with the Early Warning System for civil protection purposes.
CIMA Research Foundation’s contribution
As part of the project, CIMA Research Foundation is tasked with conducting a thorough review of the Italian legal framework for river basin management and its integration with the early warning system. This review will identify best practices to be shared with Vietnamese decision-makers and will serve as the basis of two thematic workshops and an Italy-based study tour, during which Vietnamese participants will have the opportunity to explore Italy’s national water management system and learn from successful models implemented there.
Building on the desk review, CIMA Research Foundation will also support the analysis of a case study focused on optimising the forecasting and management of a river basin. The lessons learned from this case study will be crucial in assessing whether the solutions proposed can be adapted and applied at a national level in Viet Nam.
Finally, the results of the case study, along with insights gathered from exchanges and consultations with key stakeholders, will be compiled into a strategic report. This report will be shared with the Vietnamese Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment to ensure that the recommendations are understood and translated into actionable policies, ultimately strengthening the country’s water management system and guiding future regulatory and operational decisions.
