The Vietnam Water Week 2026 was inaugurated on 16 September at the Lao Động Hữu Nghị Vietnam‑Soviet Cultural Hall in Hanoi and will run until 18 September. The three‑day forum gathered more than 420 members of the Vietnam Water Association, senior officials from the National Assembly, the Government, the Ministries of Construction, Agriculture and Environment, Health, as well as representatives from international organisations and industry experts.
The event’s theme – “Digital transformation and enhancing the adaptability of the water sector in the new era” – set the agenda for discussions on data‑driven management, advanced technologies and public‑private partnership models. Deputy Minister of Construction Bùi Xuân Dũng stressed that clean water supply, drainage and wastewater treatment are essential services directly linked to public health, urban quality, economic growth and environmental protection. He called for a shift from reactive, case‑by‑case handling to risk‑based governance, integrated system planning and stronger coordination across ministries and localities.
Key policy developments
Key policy developments were highlighted, notably Decision No. 971/QD‑BXD issued on 22 June 2026, which launches the draft Water Supply and Drainage Law. The Ministry of Construction is now soliciting feedback from agencies, provinces, businesses and scientists to refine the legislation, focusing on synchronized infrastructure, efficient operation and secured financing.
Climate‑change challenges
Delegates also examined climate‑change challenges—drought, salinisation, extreme rainfall, flooding and water pollution—and the need for basin‑wide drainage strategies, source safety, redundancy and inter‑system connectivity. The week aims to translate these discussions into concrete investment, regulatory reforms and technology adoption that will future‑proof Vietnam’s water sector.