The Government has planned to build a national water resource monitoring system and another system to forecast flooding, drought, saltwater intrusion and rising sea water level within the next decade. 

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This is part of the master scheme on basic investigation on water resources through 2030 with a vision to 2050, approved recently by the Government. 

The Government also expects to operate a system to monitor and coordinate the operation of all reservoirs in 11 river basins, and another monitoring the exploitation and use of water and discharge of wastewater into water resources.

By 2030, the country will strive to complete investigation and assessment of underground water resources, explore underground water sources, identify and announce areas where exploitation of underground water is restricted. 

According to the World Bank, rapid increase in water demand would lead to water stress to 11 out of 16 river basins in Viet Nam by 2030 during the dry season. 

Water pollution as the greatest threat could cost Viet Nam up to 3.5% of GDP annually by 2035. Urban development, discharge of untreated industrial wastewater, and use of agricultural fertilizers and pesticides are placing unrelenting stresses on the water bodies./.