Trans-border impacts from Mekong river dams cause concern for Vietnam

As a downstream country of the Mekong River, Vietnam is very concerned about the trans-border impacts of hydroelectric dams built on the river, the Vietnam Government Portal quoted Deputy Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Doan Khac Viet as stating at a press briefing in Hanoi on May 23.

According to the Deputy Spokesperson, there are 14 hydroelectric dams on the Mekong River and experts say these dams may result in a decrease in the river's flow and the sediments reaching downstream areas, which contributes to salt intrusion and erosion in Vietnam’s Mekong Delta.

Vietnam is willing and stands ready to work with relevant countries to enhance cooperation in order to effectively and sustainably manage and use the Mekong River’s water resources, he said.

The construction and operation of hydroelectric projects on the Mekong River must ensure that they should not cause negative impacts, including cross-border impacts on the environment, socio-economic development, and society of countries in the area, especially downstream countries, and must be in accordance with international law and regulations,” the Deputy Spokesperson stressed.

Earlier, on May 5, Spokeswoman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Pham Thu Hang said that Vietnam is interested in, and closely following the developments concerning Funan Techo canal project, but respects the legitimate interests of Cambodia in accordance with the 1995 Mekong Agreement, relevant regulations of the Mekong River Commission (MRC), the traditional and friendly neighborliness between the two countries.

The Mekong River, spanning 4,350 km, is the lifeblood for tens of millions of people in several countries, including China, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam.