JICA supports Vietnam to reduce urban flooding and flash floods in mountainous areas

The SABO Dam in Son La province and the Yen Xa Wastewater Treatment Plant are two of the projects supported by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to help Vietnam cope with climate change and urban flooding.

On October 8, at the mid-term press conference for fiscal year 2025, Mr. Kobayashi Yosuke, Chief Representative of JICA Vietnam Office, said: "To respond to climate change, pollution and energy transition, JICA combines short-term interventions with long-term cooperation. In the face of natural disasters such as landslides, JICA has introduced SABO dam technology to prevent flash floods and supported the construction of Vietnam's first SABO dam in Son La province".

Mr. Kobayashi Yosuke, Chief Representative of JICA Vietnam Office.

According to Kobayashi Yosuke, the main objective of the project is to establish technical standards through the pilot construction of Sabo dams. Under the policy of “developing and discussing technical standards with technical agencies”, institutional and technical frameworks are being established through the project. The Department of Dike Management and Disaster Prevention under the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment has developed a plan to build about 100 new Sabo dams nationwide. This plan is considered the first step towards nationwide expansion, based on the results of the JICA project.

In addition, Mr. Kobayashi Yosuke also mentioned many other cooperation items between JICA and Vietnam, including the Yen Xa Wastewater Treatment Plant Project (completed in August 2025) - currently one of the largest plants in Southeast Asia. The completion of the Yen Xa Wastewater Treatment Plant has significantly contributed to achieving Hanoi 's urban wastewater treatment goals by 2025.

Together with the previously implemented Hanoi Drainage and Environmental Improvement Project, including the Yen So Pumping Station, this initiative represents a comprehensive effort to improve the urban water environment. JICA also continues to support the development of wastewater treatment plant projects based on the proposal of the Government of Vietnam. Currently, JICA is discussing with relevant parties about the opportunity to implement projects in Ho Chi Minh City, Hue and some other localities.

Scene of the press conference.

In the coming time, JICA will pay special attention to the four reform pillars that Vietnam is aiming to become a high-income country by 2045, including developing science, technology, innovation and digital transformation; promoting international integration; building and enforcing laws; and developing the private economy.

Sharing more details, Mr. Hiraoka Hisakazu, Deputy Chief Representative of JICA Vietnam, said that in the second half of fiscal year 2025, the agency will focus on ODA projects to support Vietnam in developing human resources for each of the above pillars. Accordingly, JICA will support human resource training in the semiconductor, chip and artificial intelligence industries through cooperation with Vietnam - Japan University and Hanoi University of Science and Technology.

At the same time, JICA will focus on promoting connectivity by supporting Vietnam in building airports, seaports, roads, bridges, railways and customs clearance systems. This will contribute to enhancing multi-layered connectivity between Vietnam and other countries, including Japan.

Yen Xa Wastewater Treatment Plant helps improve severe flooding in Hanoi after storms.

In addition, JICA also focuses on supporting micro, small and medium enterprises, especially those owned by women, through entrepreneurship training programs and financial access support. "We believe that the long-term relationship of trust fostered through the 'heart-to-heart connection' between the people of Vietnam and Japan is a solid foundation for supporting JICA's cooperation projects," said Mr. Kobayashi Yosuke.

Source: https://cand.com.vn/doi-song/jica-ho-tro-viet-nam-giam-thieu-ngap-ung-do-thi-va-lu-quet-vung-nui-i783945/