Background

About two thirds of Vietnam’s water resources originate from catchments in upstream riparian countries, particularly the Mekong and Red Rivers. Water resource management decisions made in upstream countries exacerbate the highly variable seasonal and geographical distribution of water. The uneven rainfall distribution, a lack of infrastructure and the impacts of industry and agriculture have resulted in an unsafe water supply, particularly in rural areas. These water challenges are compounded by occurrences of extreme weather events.

Australia’s experience in managing extreme seasonal and geographic water distribution within the context of a changing climate has proven to be a valuable for asset for Vietnam. The Australian Water Partnership’s (AWP) activities in Vietnam so far have focused on building the knowledge and expertise of key water practitioners to ensure safe, reliable and sustainable water services.

The Water Efficiency Improvement in Drought Affected Provinces Project (WEIDAP) aims to modernise irrigation systems in five drought-prone provinces in the South Central Coastal and Central Highland regions of Vietnam. The project seeks to enhance climate resilience and water productivity in agriculture through improved and modernised agriculture and irrigation practices.

Objectives