Decision 174/QD-TTg 2023 General master plan for the Mekong river basin in the 2021 - 2030 period

DECISION

Approving the General master plan for the Mekong river basin in the 2021 - 2030 period, with a vision toward 2050

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THE PRIME MINISTER

Pursuant to the Law on Organization of the Government dated June 19, 2015; the Law Amending and Supplementing a Number of Articles of the Law on Organization of the Government and the Law on Organization of Local Administration dated November 22, 2019;

Pursuant to the Law on Water Resources dated June 21, 2012;

Pursuant to the Law on Planning dated November 24, 2017; the Law Amending and Supplementing a Number of Articles of Thirty Seven Laws Related to the Planning dated November 20, 2018;

Pursuant to the National Assembly’s Resolution No. 61/2022/QH15 dated June 16, 2022, on continued improvement of effect and effectiveness of the implementation of policies and laws on planning and a number of solutions for removing difficulties and obstacles, accelerating the formulation and improving the quality of master plans in the 2021-2030 period;

Pursuant to the Prime Minister’s Decision No. 1622/QD-TTg dated December 27, 2022, approving the Master Plan on water resources in the 2021-2030 period, with a vision toward 2050 and the Prime Minister’s Decision No. 287/QD-TTg dated February 28, 2022, approving the Master Plan for the Mekong Delta in the 2021 - 2030 period, with a vision toward 2050;

At the proposal of the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment.

HEREBY DECIDES:

Article 1. To approve the General Master Plan for the Mekong river basin in the 2021-2030 period, with a vision toward 2050 (hereinafter referred to as the Master Plan) with the following principal contents:

I. SCOPE OF THE MASTER PLAN

The entire administrative boundaries of the provinces and cities in the Mekong Delta, including: Can Tho city and the provinces: Long An, An Giang, Tien Giang, Ben Tre, Dong Thap, Vinh Long, Tra Vinh, Hau Giang, Soc Trang, Bac Lieu, Ca Mau and Kien Giang, with an area of 39,945 km² (excluding the area of the islands); including Mekong, Vam Co Dong and Vam Co Tay river basins in Long An province.

II. VIEWPOINTS

1. Water resources shall be managed, protected, exploited and used by the integrated method based on the river basin, in a consistent manner in terms of quantity and quality between surface water and groundwater, between upstream areas and downstream areas, inter-regions, inter-provinces, between localities in the basin, and in conformity with international treaties, bilateral and multilateral cooperation mechanisms to which Vietnam is a signatory.

2. The General Master Plan is formulated on the basis of considering water resources as the core factor, identifying climate change and sea level rise as an inevitable trend to live together and adapt; actively exploiting and effectively using fresh, salt and brackish water; combining the current status and orientations for use of water resources with land resources, land use structure and other natural resources. It shall serve as a basis for formulation of socioeconomic development master plans and plans of localities and of sectors and fields that exploit and use water in the basin so as to ensure synchronization and consistency among master plans of sectors that exploit and use water in the basin.

3. To store, regulate and distribute water sources flexibly, respect natural rules and capacity of water sources. To use water economically and efficiently for multiple purposes, improve the water use value, ensure water source security and adapt to climate change; to ensure the sharing of water sources, especially of fresh water among sectors and localities in the region.

4. To protect water resources on the basis of protecting functions of water sources to meet water quality requirements for different use purposes and protecting water-generating sources in conformity with socio-economic development conditions in the river basin.

5. To prevent, control and overcome consequences and harms caused by water with the motto of considering proactivity in prevention as the key factor in order to minimize losses, stabilize social security, and maintain national defense and security.

III. OBJECTIVES

1. Overall objectives

To ensure water source security in the river basin, store, regulate and distribute water resources in a fair and reasonable manner, exploit and use fresh, salt and brackish water resources in an economical and effective manner in combination with the protection and sustainable development of water resources to meet water demand for residential activities, socio-economic development, national defense and security assurance, and environmental protection. To protect water resources, prevent degradation, depletion and pollution of water sources and the harms caused by water and develop a roadmap for restoring degraded, depleted and polluted water sources, meeting the requirements of integrated management of water resources by river basin and adaptation to climate change. To step by step implement the goal of national digital transformation on the basis of building and operating a water resource data and information system, ensuring connection with the information system of natural resources and environment and sectors that exploit and use water resources.

2. Objectives up to 2030

a) To store, regulate and distribute water sources in a way that ensures the harmony of benefits among localities and water users in the region, between freshwater ecoregions and brackish or saltwater ecoregions, exploit and use brackish and salt water resources in an efficient manner as well as fresh water resources in an economical manner in order to improve the economic value of water and ensure water source security, adaption to climate change and conformity with international treaties related to water resources to which Vietnam is a signatory.

b) To protect surface water and groundwater sources, functions of water sources, water source protection corridors, water-generating sources, water sources with regulating functions (lakes, ponds, lagoons, canals, etc.), water resources with high values in terms of biodiversity, history and culture, step by step meeting requirements on water quantity and quality so as to achieve socio-economic development objectives.

c) To ensure flows, prevent and control landslide and erosion of riverbanks and alluvial grounds, minimize harms caused by water, and prevent and control ground subsidence.

d) To gradually restore seriously degraded, depleted and polluted surface water sources, with priority given to key areas for socio-economic development; to restore groundwater levels in areas where groundwater is excessively depleted.

dd) To manage and operate water resource information and data systems to ensure the connection and sharing with the interdisciplinary database systems on the Mekong Delta, combining with decision support toolkits to assess water sources in the river basin in order to support the regulation and distribution of water sources.

e) To strive to achieve a number of basic targets set forth in the Master Plan, specifically as follows:

- 100% of cross-border flow monitoring positions are monitored automatically, online;

- 100% of inter-provincial water sources have their wastewater receiving capacity and carrying capacity announced;

- 100% of water exploitation and use works and works discharging wastewater into water sources are monitored, operated and connected to systems according to regulations;

- 100% of lakes, ponds, lagoons, and canals that may not be leveled according to regulations must be announced and strictly managed;

- 50% of water sources subject to establishment of water source protection corridors have their protection corridors marked according to regulations;

- 100% of urban wastewater is treated up to national standards before being discharged into water sources and common drainage systems.

3. Vision toward 2050

a) To maintain and develop water resources, regulate and distribute water sources in a way that ensures water source security, adaptation to climate change and conformity with international treaties, bilateral and multilateral cooperation agreements concerning water resources to which Vietnam is a signatory.

b) To strengthen the protection of water resources, ensuring the quantity and quality of water to meet socio-economic development objectives and minimize harms caused by water. To conduct online management, exploitation, use and protection of water resources on the basis of smart governance.

c) To restore areas where groundwater is excessively depleted, wetlands with regulating functions or with high values of biodiversity, history and culture; combine with effective prevention and control of landslides and erosion of riverbanks, control the elevation of riverbeds and activities of exploiting riverbed sand and gravel; to redeploy population and take other measures to gradually raise the value of typical river landscape of the region.

d) To supplement and heighten a number of indicators of the Master Plan and conduct integrated management of water resources suitable to development stages of the country and on par with other developed countries in the region; to ensure water source security and raise water use value in line with the general development trend of the world.

IV. CONTENTS OF THE MASTER PLAN

1. Functions of water sources

a) Inter-provincial and transboundary water sources in the Mekong River basin have the functions of supplying water for residential activities, industrial production, agricultural production, aquaculture, tourism, business and services, and water transportation. The functions of water resources are divided on the basis of 120 sub-regions of integrated management of water resources suitable to the characteristics of freshwater, brackish, and salt ecoregions as well as the characteristics of water use and socio-economic development in 12 planning zones.

The basic functions of each water source and river section are specified in Appendix I to this Decision.

The groundwater sources in the Mekong River basin have the function of supplying water for residential activities, industrial production, agricultural production, aquaculture, business and services.

b) The functions of intra-provincial water sources must be specified to be systematic and consistent with the functions of the water sources specified in Appendix I to this Decision.

c) Organizations and individuals exploiting and using water may not cause impacts on the functions of water sources; the discharge of wastewater into water sources must conform to the functions of water sources as specified in Appendix I to this Decision.

2. To manage, regulate and distribute water sources to contribute to ensuring security of water sources for different exploitation and use purposes and socioeconomic development objectives in the river basin, specifically as follows:

a) To manage and regulate the volume of exploitable and usable water in the whole basin corresponding to the rate of 50% with about 128,241 million m³, corresponding to the rate of 85% with about 118,091 million m³, of which the volume of exploitable and usable water from transboundary sources (at the hydrological stations Tan Chau and Chau Doc) corresponding to the rate of 50% is about 111,200 million m³, and corresponding to the rate of 85% is 102,200 million m³ (details are specified in Appendix II to this Decision), so as to meet the demand for water exploitation and use by 2030 as specified in Appendix III to this Decision. Solutions to regulate and distribute water sources to regions and sub-regions shall be implemented on the basis of the provisions of this Master Plan. In cases of drought or water shortage, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment shall decide on the regulation and distribution of water sources for appropriate uses in order to improve the efficiency of water use.

b) In cases of serious water shortage, or where the inflow at Tan Chau and Chau Doc hydrological stations is over 30% lower than the average volume in many years during the dry season, or where saltwater intrusion approaches deep into rivers, canals and interior fields (such as in 2019 and 2020), it is necessary to negotiate with upstream countries to request an increase in the water volume in the delta, change from meeting demand to proactively managing demand in brackish and salt ecoregions, and combine with solutions of accumulation, storage and source generation.

Based on the current state of water sources and forecast bulletins on the meteorological and hydrological status, water resources, degree of drought and water shortage, existing volume of stored water, backup water sources, and ability to exploit groundwater, the chairpersons of the provincial and municipal-level People's Committees shall proactively decide on the use of existing water sources in the localities; limit the distribution of water for non-urgent water use activities, large water users and activities with low water efficiency in order to give priority to residential activities, social security, production industries with high socio-economic efficiency in focal centers and economic development corridors at an appropriate rate, especially in areas of frequent scarcity of fresh water in the provinces of Ca Mau, Bac Lieu and Soc Trang. Simultaneously, to coordinate with relevant ministries, branches and localities to develop the operation plans for the systems of water exploitation and use works with suitable regulation to ensure improving the efficiency of water use throughout the entire basin.

The amount of water allocated to water exploiters and users shall comply with Appendix IV to this Decision.

3. Works for exploiting and using water on rivers, river sections, canals and aquifers must ensure that the exploited and used water volume does not exceed the volume of exploitable water and the scale of works specified in Appendix II to this Decision.

4. Backup water sources for residential activities in areas at risk of water pollution

Upon occurrence of incidents involving pollution of water sources in an area due to exploitation, production and discharge of wastewater into water sources, the backup water sources specified in Appendix V to this Decision shall be used.

5. Water regulation, exploitation and use works and water resource development works

a) To improve the capacity of accumulating, storing and participating in the regulation of water sources of groundwater exploitation works with a total capacity of about 30 million m³. To build new water accumulation, water storage, water regulation and water resource development works specified at Point b of this Clause to ensure water source security in the planning period.

b) During the planning period, to study the building of new water accumulation, storage and regulation works, water exploitation and use works, and water resource development works. Water accumulation and storage areas shall meet the criteria of having suitable space, being able to conduct water to areas needing water supply, being economically efficient, not causing stagnation and pollution that affect the landscape and surrounding environment, prioritizing water accumulation and storage in areas of scarcity of fresh water in the provinces of Ca Mau, Bac Lieu and Soc Trang.

- To build reservoirs to store water during and at the end of the flood season with an appropriate scale in freshwater resource areas, in national parks and flooded forests with a total storage capacity of about 662 million m³.

- To accumulate and store water on systems of canals, large river tributaries, small ponds and lakes in combination with solutions for opening and closing water accumulation and storage works, appropriate water regulation in freshwater and brackish water resource areas with a total storage capacity of about 455 million m³.

c) To pilot flow regulation works in some areas of frequent water shortages and scarcity of fresh water in the dry season, including areas in the provinces of Ca Mau, Bac Lieu and Soc Trang.

d) Regulation works, water exploitation and use works, and water resource development works in this Master Plan include: irrigation reservoirs with a capacity of 0.1 million m³ or higher, water-regulating sluices and pumping stations with a flow of 0.1 m³/s or higher, other surface water exploitation works for use for residential activities, non-agricultural production and business and service purposes with a volume of 100 m³/day or higher, and groundwater exploitation works of a capacity of 3,000 m³/day or higher specified in Appendix VI to this Decision; other works for regulation, exploitation and use of water and development of water resources of the same scale which have been approved by competent authorities in master plans involving water exploitation and use or have been built and put into operation before the effective date of this Decision; lakes, ponds and lagoons that may not be leveled as announced according to regulations.

6. To protect water resources

The exploitation and use of water must be associated with the protection of water resources, protection of water-generating sources and circulation of flows, protection of regulation lakes, ponds and canals of biodiversity values in conformity with the functions of water sources during the planning period as follows:

a) To strictly manage the existing forest areas in the localities in the river basin. To maintain, protect and increase the forest coverage rate, contributing to improving the adaptation to climate change and facilitating the mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions.

b) To manage the water drainage space, ensure the circulation of flow on rivers and streams. For projects on embankment, riverbank reinforcement, river leveling, filling and encroachment, and improvement of riverside landscape must neither obstruct the flow nor narrow the width of the riverbed by more than 5% and must comply with Appendix VIII to this Decision. For other rivers and streams, based on their importance to socio-economic development, landscape and environment, the management of the water drainage space shall be considered and decided by competent authorities as appropriate.

c) To manage infiltration areas so as to recharge groundwater in combination with creating ecological landscapes. To manage the list of lakes and ponds that may not be leveled or encroached under regulations and, at the same time, add lakes and ponds to the list of those with the function of storing water for the purpose of backup water supply sources, preventing and controlling local-scale floods and inundation in conformity with the specific characteristics with regards to rainfall, terrain and water use in each area to create an additional infiltration supply for recharging groundwater; construction projects must comply with regulations on construction density.

d) Production facilities that discharge or collect and treat wastewater must have measures and roadmaps for collecting and treating wastewater up to standards or technical regulations, ensuring compliance with functions of water sources specified in Appendix I to this Decision.

7. To prevent and control landslides and erosion of riverbeds, riverbanks and alluvial grounds

a) To carry out survey, assessment and monitoring of flow changes, and take measures to protect, prevent and control landslides and erosion of riverbeds, riverbanks and alluvial grounds; to measure and update the cross-sections and longitudinal sections of to-be-monitored rivers; to study the change of flow beds and impacts on the stability of riverbeds, riverbanks and alluvial grounds.

b) To strictly manage activities of exploiting riverbed sand and gravel under regulations to ensure stability of riverbeds, riverbanks and alluvial grounds and minimize the decline of water level on rivers to ensure navigation activities on inland waterways suitable for the water source conditions.

c) To manage the water source protection corridors according to regulations; the construction of urban areas, industrial parks, and residential areas along rivers must ensure to pose no risk of causing water source pollution, landslides, erosion of riverbeds, riverbanks and canals. Not to arrange residential areas along river sections subject to landslides or at risks of landslides.

8. To prevent and control flooding, ground subsidence and intrusion of saltwater to groundwater

a) The construction and development of traffic and irrigation infrastructure, socio-economic development must ensure the requirements for flood drainage and flood prevention and control according to regulations.

b) The exploitation of groundwater must ensure that the exploited water volume does not exceed the volume of exploitable and usable water according to regulations.

c) To manage the construction of groundwater exploitation works to ensure that there is no new works built within 1 km from the saline boundary. For existing works that are located in these adjacent areas, there must be a roadmap to reduce exploitation flow. Groundwater exploitation in coastal freshwater lenses must be closely monitored.

9. To monitor water resources, water exploitation and use

a) To invest in building a water resource monitoring system, exploit and use water on a concentrated, efficient manner in conformity with socio-economic conditions in each period, giving priority to brackish ecoregions for monitoring the movement of saline boundary.

b) To build and maintain a network of water resource monitoring and supervision according to the Overall Master Plan on basic survey of water resources approved by the Prime Minister; to carry out monitoring of water flow and quality at positions on rivers, streams and aquifers, giving priority to brackish ecoregions for monitoring the movement of saline boundary, as specified in Appendix VII to this Decision.

V. SOLUTIONS FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF THE MASTER PLAN

1. Completing institutions, policies and regulations on exploitation, use and reuse of water resources according to the master plan on water resources in the 2021-2030 period, with a vision to 2050 and specific policies (if any) for the Mekong River Basin, especially the laws, mechanisms and policies of the water industry, strengthening the delegation of powers, simplifying administrative facilities procedures, and raising transparency to create motivational conditions for organizations and individuals to participate in investment in, and management and operation of, infrastructure facilities of the water industry and clean water production and trading; managing and protecting water-generating sources, protecting and developing forests, increasing revenue from forest environmental services; implementing financial mechanisms and mechanisms for attracting and mobilizing financial resources for use in water exploitation and use, protection, prevention, control and overcoming of consequences and harms caused by water; implementing mechanisms on use of transboundary water sources; using water economically, improving water use efficiency, and protecting the water environment; reviewing master plans related to the exploitation and use of water resources, ensuring consistency and synchronism among the master plans; implementing coordination mechanism among ministries, ministerial-level agencies and localities to overcome overlaps and contradictions, ensuring consistency in coordination, and contributing to ensuring water security in the Mekong River basin. To implement the roadmaps for application of prices, provision of irrigation services, payment for forest services, and shifting to sustainable production structure in areas frequently affected by drought and freshwater shortage.

2. Regulating, distributing, developing, and protecting water resources, using water economically and efficiently, and reusing water, contributing to ensuring water source security

a) To build and operate information systems, digital models, and decision support toolkits to assess water sources in the basin under normal conditions and in case of water shortage in order to support the regulation and distribution of water sources in the Mekong River basin.

b) To build and improve the meteorological and hydrological monitoring system and systems for monitoring water resources in the Mekong River basin. To train and improve the quality of human resources to ensure the management and operation of the systems.

c) To control the exploitation and use of water, and the discharge of wastewater into water sources in the Mekong River river basin through the connection and transmission of information and data on the system for monitoring water exploitation and use and wastewater discharge under regulations.

d) To supplement, build new works for water accumulation and storage, works for artificial replenishment of groundwater, works for water regulation, exploitation and use and water resource development to ensure multi-purposes, in accordance with this Master Plan and other relevant specialized master plans, giving priority to 28 sub-regions suffering from freshwater shortages in 120 sub-regions of integrated management of water resources as specified in Appendix I to this Decision.

dd) To improve water accumulation and storage capacity of existing ponds, lakes, low-lying areas, in-field canals, grade-II and -III canals on the principle of ensuring safety; to supplement, build new multi-purpose water resource regulation, exploitation, use and development, ensuring water supply for the dry season at the request of competent state management agencies in case of water shortage, in conformity with this Master Plan and other relevant specialized master plans.

e) To review and adjust the operation process of the irrigation system, thus ensuring the continuous flow in order to improve the water environment in conformity with the actual situation.

g) To formulate plans and roadmaps for investment in construction of backup water supply works for use upon occurrence of incidents of water source pollution, drought, water shortage or saltwater intrusion.

h) To review and supplement regulations on management of lakes and ponds that must not be leveled or encroached on.

i) To formulate, and organize the implementation of, plans to protect surface water quality, renovate and restore degraded, depleted and polluted water sources.

k) To assess the capacity of receiving wastewater and the carrying capacity of inter-country and inter-provincial water sources, giving priority to rivers flowing through urban areas and concentrated residential areas in the Mekong River basin.

l) To establish water source protection corridors and organize the implementation of measures to protect, prevent and control landslides and erosion of riverbeds, riverbanks, alluvial grounds, and inter-provincial water source protection corridors in the Mekong River basin according to regulations, giving priority to the provinces with many landslide spots such as: An Giang, Tra Vinh, Hau Giang. To issue a list of lakes, ponds and lagoons that must not be leveled according to regulations.

m) To organize survey, assessment, observation and monitoring of flows, sedimentation, landslides, and erosion of riverbeds, riverbanks and alluvial grounds with regard to inter-provincial rivers. To measure and update the cross-sections and longitudinal sections of rivers; to study the change of flow beds and natural rules affecting the stability of riverbeds, riverbanks and alluvial grounds.

n) To delimit and manage areas where groundwater exploitation is restricted and fill in the exploration and exploitation boreholes that are no longer in use according to regulations.

o) To carry out conversion in production and apply economical irrigation models, especially in areas frequently prone to drought and water shortage. To develop ecological production through rice cultivation, fruit tree farming and aquaculture in the upstream provinces including: An Giang, Dong Thap, Long An, Vinh Long in order to protect the water quality in the downstream areas for use in residential activities, agriculture and fisheries. To balance and adjust the exploitation flows as appropriate in conformity with actual conditions in areas suffering freshwater shortage and areas suffering decline of river water level and aquifers.

p) To regulate and store water in existing ponds, lakes, low-lying areas, in-field canals, and grade-II and -III canals in the upstream regions, including the provinces: An Giang, Dong Thap, Long An and part of Kien Giang. To store water on canals, build small-scale reservoirs for on-site water supply or build large reservoirs for water supply at district, provincial and coastal areas including: Can Tho, Vinh Long, part of Tien Giang, part of Kien Giang. To take measures to store rainwater on-site such as storing water in tanks and cellars for residential activities in places where the domestic water supply system has not yet supplied. To build or dredge small and medium-sized ponds and reservoirs to store rainwater for the water supply at village, commune and district levels or make use of river tributaries to store water with the function of natural water reservoirs in coastal areas: Ca Mau, Kien Giang, Bac Lieu, Soc Trang, Tra Vinh, Ben Tre and part of Tien Giang.

q) To operate and regulate the system of works to proactively source fresh water into the river and canal system before the dry season and regulate and distribute water appropriately, avoiding disputes between localities in the dry season, especially the works Tha La-Tra Su, Cai Lon-Cai Be system, Ninh Quoi boat lock. To clear the flow of stagnant water areas, operate water regulation systems in salt-prevention projects in the direction of opening sluice gates during most of the year and only closing the gates in times of need. To develop appropriate farming methods on saline and acid soils so as not to cause the spread of saltwater and alkaline water into rivers and canals. To strictly control activities of taking saltwater and brackish water into fresh water areas all year round or pumping alkaline water into rivers and canals in aquaculture areas or taking water for domestic use.

r) To strengthen urban wastewater collection and treatment. To formulate projects to restore water quality in rivers and seriously polluted water areas on Vam Co Dong river – the section running through Ben Luc town, Long An province; Vam Co Tay river – the section running through Tan An city, Long An province; Bao Dinh river – the section running through My Tho city, Tien Giang province; Cai Khe canal - the section running through the center of Can Tho city; Long Xuyen canal - the section running through the center of Long Xuyen city, An Giang province; inner-city canals in Vinh Long, Tra Vinh and Ca Mau cities.

s) To strengthen protection of important wetlands in the provinces: An Giang, Bac Lieu, Ca Mau, Dong Thap, Hau Giang, Long An, Soc Trang, and Tien Giang to maintain replenished water resources and biodiversity.

3. Preventing, controlling and overcoming consequences and harms caused by water

a) To research and implement solutions to handle landslides in densely-populated areas of the provinces: An Giang, Dong Thap, Can Tho, Vinh Long, Tien Giang. To research on flow regulation for the whole route on the basis of overall assessment of the impact of upstream flows, socio-economic development activities on the delta and saltwater intrusion in the downstream.

b) To map the zoning of ground subsidence and inundation zones for the whole region on the basis of application of modern technology and techniques. To build and put into operation the system to monitor and supervise subsidence changes in a number of areas with high subsidence level as a basis for ministries, branches and localities to implement appropriate response solutions.

c) To overcome and limit saltwater intrusion into the ground on the basis of limiting and proceeding to stop using small-diameter wells, convert from the groundwater exploitation and use at a non-concentrated and small scale to the water supply at a concentrated and industrial scale, strictly comply with the technical requirements of construction drilling, construction of underground works and filling of boreholes according to regulations.

d) To establish an inter-sectoral, inter-regional and inter-national coordination mechanisms in preventing, controlling and overcoming consequences and harms caused by water on the basis of building maps on risks of riverbank erosion, landslide, saltwater intrusion of aquifers due to excessive groundwater exploitation.

4. Science, technology and international cooperation

a) To apply advanced, modern and smart sciences, techniques and technologies for circular and economical use of water and reuse of water, manage and protect water sources, develop water sources, and link water sources.

b) To boost up cooperation with upstream countries in monitoring, supervising and sharing information on quantity and quality of water, harms caused by transboundary water sources on the basis of agreements and cooperation mechanisms in the 1995 Mekong Agreement and other bilateral and multilateral agreements. To strengthen the role of river basin organization of Vietnam National Mekong Committee.

c) To enhance international cooperation in exchanging and providing information on transboundary water sources, researching and transferring science and technology for circular and economical use of water and reuse of water.

Article 2. Organization of implementation

1. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment shall

a) Organize the publicization of the Master Plan and coordinate with related agencies and localities in conducting public communication about key contents of the Master Plan.

b) Assume the prime responsibilities for, and coordinate with related ministries, ministerial-level agencies and localities in, organizing the implementation of the Master Plan according to their assigned state management functions; examine and supervise the implementation of the Master Plan; and periodically assess the implementation of, and review and adjust, the Master Plan according to regulations.

c) Assume the prime responsibility for formulating and completing the information system and digital model for information and data connection, supervise the exploitation and use of water resources, and support the making of decision on regulation and distribution of water sources in the river basin according to regulations.

d) Assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with related ministries, ministerial-level agencies and localities in, building and operating a water resource data and information system, ensuring connection with the information system of natural resources and environment and sectors that exploit and use water resources; formulating and publicizing water source scenarios, deciding on plans for regulation and distribution of water sources, formulating the operating procedures for the system of water exploitation and use works on inter-provincial rivers; carrying out the measurement and monitoring of water flows and quality.

dd) Manage activities of water exploitation and use and discharge of wastewater into water sources according to its competence and in conformity with the water sources’ functions and water quality targets specified in this Decision. To inspect and examine water exploitation and use and discharge of wastewater into water sources, ensuring the water sources’ functions and other requirements set in the Master Plan.

e) Organize the sharing, regulation and distribution of water sources among entities exploiting and using water in a region and between freshwater ecoregions and brackish and saltwater ecoregions under this Master Plan on the basis of annual performance results on forecasts of the hydrometeorological situation, water sources, the total regulatable volume of water stored at the end of the flooding season and the beginning of the dry season, and relevant information and data on inter-provincial, transnational and intra-provincial rivers, ensuring the coordination among ministries, ministerial-level agencies and localities in the river basin.

g) Assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with ministries, ministerial-level agencies, and provincial-level People's Committees of localities in the river basin in, formulating plans for rehabilitation and restoration of rivers that are seriously polluted or degraded.

h) Assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with related ministries, ministerial-level agencies and localities in, promptly synthesizing, reporting, and proposing the removal of, unreasonable obstacles in reality (if any); appraise, synthesize, adjust and supplement, and remove water resource exploitation, use and development works from, the list of water resource exploitation, use and development works at the request of ministries, ministerial-level agencies, and localities in the course of implementation of this Master Plan, and propose thereof to the Prime Minister for direction or decision.

i) Review and supplement regulations on management of lakes and ponds which must not be leveled and encroached.

k) Assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with related ministries, ministerial-level agencies and localities in, mapping the zoning of ground subsidence for the whole region.

2. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development shall

a) Review and adjust, or propose to competent authorities for adjustment and supplementation to, the master plans on irrigation, flood prevention and control, dikes and other specialized technical master plans involving water exploitation and use in conformity with this Master Plan.

b) Direct, urge, and organize the implementation of solutions for ensuring safety and increasing the designed water storage capacity of irrigation works; formulate and adjust operation processes of irrigation works in the Mekong River basin according to its competence, ensuring the conformity with this Master Plan and other relevant master plans.

c) Direct the implementation of measures on prevention and control of negative impacts caused by water in case of disasters in accordance with the laws on dikes and disaster prevention and control. To manage irrigation systems and drainage systems in a reasonable manner, avoiding pollution and stagnation that cause the deterioration of surface water quality in rivers, main canals, and concentrated aquaculture areas.

d) Study and apply technologies in the management and operation of irrigation works, advanced water-efficient irrigation technologies and production transformation to use water economically and efficiently.

dd) Coordinate with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment in directing entities exploiting and using water under its management in implementing plans on regulation and distribution of water sources in the river basin according to regulations.

e) Provide information and data related to monitoring of water quantity and quality, operation of disaster prevention and irrigation works at the request of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, and the Vietnam National Mekong Committee in order to manage and supervise the implementation of this Master Plan.

g) Improve the capacity of and efficiently use existing works, increase the efficiency of water use, and reduce damage caused by water-related disasters. Invest in, repair, and upgrade focal facilities, the systems of irrigation canals and drains, and existing scattered water storage works in tandem with building of a new countryside, so as to serve multiple purposes.

h) Formulate a scheme on modernization of the irrigation system, ensuring proactiveness in regulating water in the irrigation system for concentrated rice and fruit tree cultivation and aquacultural production area, in combination with advanced water-efficient cultivation methods.

i) Formulate a scheme on payments for forest services, contributing to hunger eradication, poverty reduction and improvement of people’s livelihoods.

k) Implement policies on irrigation product and service prices under the market mechanism and a roadmap on gradual reduction of the State subsidy in a synchronous manner.

l) Review and formulate mechanisms and policies to support and encourage the building of works for on-site water storage and small-scale water supply for residential use based on water source capacity and the volume of water distributed at the village-, hamlet-, commune-, district-, regional- and sub-regional scales, especially areas frequently suffering drought, water shortage or saltwater intrusion.

m) Formulate and submit for promulgation regulations on rural clean water management and documents guiding the creation of a legal environment for promoting the participation of non-state sectors in supply of water for residential use in rural areas, review and supplement clean water suppliers for the purpose of ensuring social security and equality.

n) Organize basic surveys of the exploitation and use of water resources in the systems of irrigation works and water supply in rural areas, and annually synthesize and send results to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment for updating, and concurrently, develop a database of the survey results for integration and sharing with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and localities according to regulations.

o) Review and adjust the operation processes of irrigation works suitable to water sources’ capacity, ensuring water replenishment, new water source generation, multiple purposes and smooth water flow, avoiding water stagnation and water source pollution.

3. The Ministry of Construction shall

a) Review, adjust and supplement master plans on water supply and wastewater drainage in urban areas in the river basin in conformity with the Mater Plan; direct the formulation and implementation of solutions for economical and efficient water use, mitigating the rate of water loss in urban water supply systems according to its competence.

b) Organize basic surveys of the exploitation and use of water resources in urban water supply facility systems, and annually synthesize and send the results to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment for updating, and concurrently, develop a database of the survey results for integration and sharing with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and localities according to regulations.

c) Review and supplement regulations, standards and technical regulations on construction works and facilities to ensure rainwater storage and enhance water drainage capacity.

4. The Ministry of Transport shall

a) Organize the formulation and adjustment of master plans and plans on development of waterway transport infrastructure systems in accordance with this Master Plan.

b) Manage and protect the inland waterway transport infrastructures, ensure the circulation of flows and the depth of channels, strengthen the inspection and supervision of existing inland waterway routes in the Mekong River basin.

c) Organize basic surveys of the exploitation and use of water resources in waterway navigation activities, and annually synthesize and send results to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment for updating, and concurrently, develop a database of the survey results for integration and sharing with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and localities according to regulations.

5. The Ministry of Industry and Trade shall organize basic surveys of the exploitation and use of water resources in industry, and annually synthesize and send results to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment for updating, and concurrently, develop a database of the survey results for integration and sharing with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and localities according to regulations.

6. The Ministry of Planning and Investment shall assume the prime responsibility for synthesizing and submitting to the Government and Prime Minister medium-term and annual public investment plans to implement programs and projects approved by competent agencies in accordance with the law on public investment to implement the Master Plan.

7. The Ministry of Finance shall, based on the proposals of ministries and central agencies and the state budget’s fund-balancing capacity, synthesize and submit to competent authorities the allocation of the central budget’s recurrent expenditures to ministries and central agencies for performing tasks assigned under the Master Plan.

8. The Ministry of Science and Technology

a) Study and develop assessment criteria, graph of water security assurance level for each locality, each region and sub-region under the Master Plan; study and propose mechanisms and policies to encourage and promote science and technology solutions, contributing to ensuring water source security.

b) Study, develop and apply science and technology solutions to proactively respond to water-related disasters, focusing on advanced, modern and smart science and technology solutions serving the monitoring, forecasting, warning and supervision; study and apply advanced modern technologies and propose solutions for development and creation of new water sources (including solutions for development and protection of forests and creation of on-spot water generation sources), water collection, storage and conveyance, connection of water sources, replenishment and exploitation of underground water, and economical, efficient and safe use of water.

9. The Ministry of Public Security shall assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with related ministries, ministerial-level agencies and localities in, implementing the law on protection of the environment and water resources in the activities of the People's Public Security forces, particularly for especially important water exploitation and use works.

10. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall

a) Establish mechanisms on inter-sectoral coordination and inter-regional and inter-country cooperation in preventing, controlling and overcoming consequences and harms caused by water.

b) Strengthen cooperation with upstream countries in monitoring, supervising, exchanging and sharing information on water quantity and quality, hydrological data, and harmful effects caused by transboundary water sources on the basis of existing bilateral and multilateral cooperation mechanisms and agreements.

c) Intensify international cooperation in exchanging and providing information on the operation of hydroelectric dams, water use projects and other projects on the Mekong mainstream.

11. The Vietnam National Mekong Committee shall

a) Actively grasp information on development activities in the upstream, coordinate with the Mekong River Commission (MRC) and relevant ministries and sectors in developing negotiation plans to ensure the legitimate rights and interests of Vietnam in exploitation, use and protection of water resources under the 1995 Mekong Agreement and existing bilateral and multilateral cooperation mechanisms and agreements.

b) Strengthen transboundary water source monitoring activities, participate in the development of water source scenarios and propose solutions to effectively implement the contents of this Master Plan.

12. Related ministries and ministerial-level agencies shall, within the ambit of their functions, tasks and powers, coordinate with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and provincial-level People’s Committees in the river basin in, exploiting, using and protecting water, and preventing, controlling, and remediating consequences and negative impacts caused by water.

13. People's Committees of provinces and centrally-run cities in the river basin

a) Direct specialized agencies of water resources in organizing the formulation of plans on exploitation, use and protection of water resources, and remediation of consequences and negative impacts caused by water; propose and supplement the list of water resource exploitation, use and development works specified at Point a, Clause 5, Section III, Article 1 of this Decision for inclusion in their provincial master plans according to regulations.

b) Based on the practical conditions and demands for socio-economic development in each region and river section, provincial-level People’s Committees shall assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment in, deciding to supplement the basic functions of water sources specified in Appendix I hereof in line with reality and environmental protection tasks.

c) Direct functional agencies in organizing the assessment of wastewater receiving capacity and carrying capacity of intra-provincial water sources, zoning of areas restricted for exploitation of underground water, establishment of water source protection corridors, and formulation of plans on collection and treatment of urban wastewater in the localities for submitting to competent authorities for approval according to regulations.

d) Strictly manage activities of water exploitation and use and discharge of wastewater into water sources in the river basin according to their competence suitable to water sources’ functions, ensuring water quality according to regulations.

dd) Actively grasp the situation of water source developments, taking into account the impacts of climate change, sea level rise and the exploitation and use of water upstream to organize the supervision of entities exploiting and using water in the river basin under their management scope regarding their implementation of plans on regulation and distribution of water sources according to regulations; proactively open and close water storage canals to ensure water storage, avoiding stagnation causing water pollution.

e) Direct the formulation and adjustment of the operation processes of water exploitation and use works, and promulgate the list of lakes and ponds in the localities which must not be leveled according to their competence in conformity with the Master Plan.

g) Formulate plans on exploitation and use of backup water sources for supply of water for residential use upon the occurrence of incidents of water source pollution, drought, water shortage or saltwater intrusion. Chairpersons of provincial-level People’s Committees shall decide on the use of existing water sources in localities, decide on the direction of seasonal production, and settle water supply needs for responding to and mitigating damage upon, occurrence of drought or water shortage or saltwater intrusion.

h) Implement measures to protect, prevent, control and remediate consequences and negative impacts caused by water, and solutions to prevent and control inundation and flooding in urban and rural areas according to regulations.

i) Strictly manage the exploitation of riverbed sand and gravel, especially in big river routes, that leads to degrading of riverbed flows and increasing of the risks of landslides in the river banks and saltwater intrusion in conformity with this Mater Plan.

k) Submit to provincial-level People’s Councils plans on allocation of local budget funds for implementation of the Master Plan’s tasks to be performed by localities in accordance with the law on the state budget.

l) Carry out basic surveys of water resources in the localities as delegated by the Government and submit results to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment for synthesis.

m) Provide information and data related to monitoring of water quantity and quality, operation of water exploitation and use works, activities of water resource protection and prevention of harmful effects caused by water by units in the provinces for the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and the Vietnam National Mekong Committee to manage and supervise the implementation of this Master Plan.

n) Actively coordinate with localities in the country and neighboring countries to enhance the exchange and sharing of information and data in the management, protection, exploitation, use, prevention, control and mitigation of harms caused by water.

o) Make annual reports on the implementation results of the Master Plan in their localities, and submit them to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment for monitoring and summarization.

Article 3. Implementation provisions

This Decision takes effect from the date of its signing.

Article 4. The Ministers of Natural Resources and Environment, Agriculture and Rural Development, Construction, Transport, Industry and Trade, Planning and Investment, Finance, Science and Technology, National Defence, Public Security, Foreign Affairs, Culture, Sports and Tourism; Chairpersons of People's Committees of the provinces and cities: An Giang, Bac Lieu, Ben Tre, Ca Mau, Can Tho, Dong Thap, Hau Giang, Kien Giang, Long An, Soc Trang, Tien Giang, Tra Vinh, Vinh Long, and heads of relevant agencies and units shall implement this Decision./.

* All Appendices are not translated herein.