ASIAN DISASTER REDUCTION CENTER Visiting
Researcher Program (FY2021)

COUNTRY REPORTADRC visiting researcher
THAI MINH HUONG
Department of Science Technology and International Cooperation
Viet Nam Disaster Management Authority

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Contents
I. GENERAL INFORMATION ........................................................................................................................ 3
II. DISASTERS IN VIETNAM ........................................................................................................................ 3
1. Background ........................................................................................................................................... 3
2. Institutional Arrangements for disaster risk management in Vietnam ................................................... 4
2.1 The Global Legal Basis for Disaster Risk Management .................................................................. 4
2.2 The Legal Basis for Disaster Risk Management in Vietnam ........................................................... 5
3.Organizational structure for Disaster Management of Vietnam ............................................................. 5
The National Steering Committee for Disaster Prevention and Control ................................................ 7
4. History of Natural Disaster..................................................................................................................... 9
5. Disaster mapping and zoning ..............................................................................................................15
III. OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES ................................................................................................18
1. OPPORTUNITIES ...............................................................................................................................18
DRM drawn attention of the Communist Party and Governments from the central to the local levels.
.............................................................................................................................................................18
Disaster risk reduction is integrated into the socio-economic development plans at all sectors andlevels ....................................................................................................................................................18
Individuals and organizations actively participating in DRM ................................................................19
Capacity building for DRM staff ...........................................................................................................19
Communication and information sharing .............................................................................................19
Promoting science and technology in DRM .........................................................................................20
Promoting international cooperation in disaster risk management ......................................................21
2. CHALLENGES ....................................................................................................................................22
Awareness on disaster risk reduction ..................................................................................................22
DRM related laws, regulations, policies and cost norms .....................................................................22
Inconsistence on the organizational structure, roles, functions and tasks of DRM agencies at alllevels ....................................................................................................................................................24
Disaster risk management infrastructure .............................................................................................24
Disaster risk management planning ....................................................................................................25
Community awareness raising .............................................................................................................26
Information and communication ...........................................................................................................26
Science and technology .......................................................................................................................26
International cooperation .....................................................................................................................26
Financial resources ..............................................................................................................................27
IV. KEY TASKS ON DISASTER RISK MANAGEMENT IN VIETNAM .......................................................27
The direction of the Party, Government on natural disaster prevention and control implemented inconsistent, effective and efficient manners. .........................................................................................27
Consolidate the legal system and policies on natural disaster risk management ...............................28
Enhance the capacity of natural disaster forecasting, warning, and monitoring in a timely and reliable
manner .................................................................................................................................................28
Mobilize resources and efficiently use for the prevention, response and recovery of consequences ofnatural disasters ...................................................................................................................................29
Enhance the role and capacity of state management on DRM ...........................................................29
Promote science and technology and international cooperation on disaster risk management .........30
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I. GENERAL INFORMATION
Vietnam is located in Southeastern Asia, bordered with China, Lao PDR and
Cambodia. Vietnam comprises a total land area of 33,210 km 2 including 310,070 km2 ofland and 21,140 km2 of water. The terrain is mountainous with coastal lowlands andforested inland regions. The geography of the land can be divided into three major areas:
The Red River delta to the north, which is bordered by mountains on three sides; a large
plateau with a narrow coastal plain in the middle of the country; and the Mekong Delta
plain to the south.
Vietnam has both a tropical climate zone and a temperate climate zone, with all of
the country experiencing the effects of the annual monsoon. Rainy seasons correspondto monsoon circulations, which bring heavy rainfall in the north and south from May to
October, and in the central regions from September to January.
Vietnam’s population is estimated to be 98.7 million people (as of December 2021).
One-third of the country’s total population lives in urban centers. The remaining two-thirds
live in coastal areas and low-lying deltas. The largest urban centers are in the major cities
of Ho Chi Minh City and Ha Noi. Vietnam recognizes 54 ethnic groups. The largest ofthem and their percent of the population are: Kinh (Viet) 85.3%, Tay 1.9%, Thai 1.9%,
Muong 1.5%, Khmer 1.4%.
II. DISASTERS IN VIETNAM
1. Background
Vietnam is one of the most hazard-prone countries in the Asia-Pacific Region. With
the coastline of 3,300 km, the country is exposed to hydro-meteorological hazards suchas storms, floods, landslides, drought, water intrusion and coastal erosion. Vietnam also
faces low to moderate risks of droughts, earthquakes, cold and heat waves.
In addition, Vietnam is ranked among the five countries likely to be most affectedby climate change. The majority of the country is low-lying coastline and low-lying deltaregion are highly vulnerable to rising sea levels. The statistics show that disasters tend
to increase abnormally, with higher intensity, wider scope, irregular and tend to increasein both danger levels, extremes and repeat cycles.
According to the Law on Natural Disaster Prevention and Control 2020, Vietnam
experienced 22++ types of disaster including tropical storms, tropical depressions, strong
breezes at seas, tornadoes, lightning, heavy precipitation, floods, flashfloods,
inundations; landslides and land subsidence caused by floods or runoff or droughts; water
rise, saltwater intrusion, extreme heat, droughts, wildfires, cold under 13 degree Celsius,
hails, frost, fog, earthquakes, tsunamis and other types of natural disasters. Among them,floods, storms and landslides are the recurring natural disaster and claimed for the mostdamages.
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Figure 1: Summary of natural hazards and their human and economic impacts between
1990 and 2020.
Source: Climate Risk Profile: Vietnam (2021), World Bank

2. Institutional Arrangements for disaster risk management in Vietnam
2.1 The Global Legal Basis for Disaster Risk Management
The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030
The third UN World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (WCDRR) took
place from March 14 to 18, 2015 in Sendai, Japan. The outcome of the WCDRR was
the adoption of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030, which
comprises of 7 global targets and 4 priorities for action.
The ASEAN Agreement on Disaster Management and Emergency Response
The ASEAN Agreement on Disaster Management and Emergency Response(AADMER) aims to strengthen regional policies on disaster management, enabling
member countries in the region to be more active in cooperation, coordination, technicalassistance, and resource mobilization in all aspects of disaster management. The
overall goal of the AADMER Work Programme is to achieve a substantial reduction ofdisaster losses in lives and in the social, economic, and environmental assets of
ASEAN member states. The AADMER Work Programme primarily adheres to a
strategic regional approach to all aspects of disaster management
APEC Emergency Preparedness Working Group
Recognizing that disasters are factors which adversely affect the sustainableeconomic development of the region, APEC has decided to elevate the Task Force for
Emergency Preparedness to the Emergency Preparedness Working Group (EPWG).
Viet Nam has actively participated in the working group to draft its strategic framework
and actions and has contributed to the establishment of a list of priority projects. Viet
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Nam has implemented two projects related to the EPWG’s activities: (i) the APEC
Capacity-Building Workshop on Search and Rescue at Sea in Nha Trang (2013) and (ii)the APEC Workshop on Community-Based Disaster Management in Response to
Climate Change in Quang Ninh (2014). Viet Nam continued to actively contribute to theactivities of the group in the years
2.2 The Legal Basis for Disaster Risk Management in Vietnam● The Law on Disaster Prevention and Control, adopted by the National
Assembly of Socialist Republic of Viet Nam (Law No. 33/2013/QH13 on 19/06/2016) andthe Amendment of Law on Natural Disaster and Control and Law on Dyke Management(Law N0/60/2020/QH14 on 17/06/2020).
Other documents guiding the implementation of the Law include:● Decree No. 66/2021/ND-CP dated 06/07/2021 of the Government on theguidelines of the law on disaster prevention and control.
● Decree No. 79/2021/ND-CP dated 01/08/2021 of the Government on theestablishment of the Disaster Risk Management Fund.
● Resolution No. 76/NQ-CP dated 18/06/2018 of the Government on disasterprevention and control.
● Decision No. 553/QD-TTg, dated 06/04/2021 of the Prime Minister onapproving the national program on community awareness raising and community-based
disaster risk management.
● Decision No. 18/2021/QD-TTg, dated 22/04/2021 of the Prime Minister on
detailed regulations on the disaster forecast, warning and information transmission andrisk levels.
● Joint Circular No. 43/2015/TTLT BNNPTNT-BKHDT, dated 23/11/2015 of the
Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Ministry of Planning andInvestment on providing guidance on the statistical analysis, the collection of statistics
and assessment of damage caused by disasters.
● Circular No. 10/2021/TT-BKHDT, dated 22/12/2021 of the Ministry of Planningand Investment on guiding the integration of disaster prevention and control content into
the socio-economic development plans and sectoral plan and development plans.
3.Organizational structure for Disaster Management of Vietnam
The system of disaster risk management in Viet Nam is shown in the figure
below:

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Figure 2 : Systems of DRM in Viet Nam

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The National Steering Committee for Disaster Prevention and Control

Figure 3: National Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control

The National Steering Committee for Disaster Prevention and Control, formally
the Central Steering Committee for NDPC is the top body for the Vietnamese
Government disaster management policy development and decision-making. Membersof the National Committee for NDCP:a) Chairman: The Deputy Prime Ministerb) Deputy Chairman, including: Standing deputy head - the MARD Minister, 01
leader of the Ministry of National Defense, and the Director General of Vietnam Disaster
Management Authorityc) Members of the National Steering Committee are representatives that areleaders of ministries, ministerial-level agencies, and Government agencies: MARD,
MONRE, Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Public Security, Ministry of Information andCommunication, Ministry of Industry and Trade, Ministry of Transport, Ministry ofConstruction, Ministry of Education and Training, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Culture,
Sports and Tourism, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Labour, War Invalids andSocial Affairs, Ministry of Planning and Investment, Ministry of Finance, Viet Nam
Television, Voice of Viet Nam; representatives of some units of MARD, MONRE, Ministryof Defense, National Committee for Search and Rescue, and the Viet Nam Academy of
Science and Technology.
7d) Based on work requirements, the Head of the National Steering Committee for
NDPC invites representatives from the following organizations: the Central Committee of
the Viet Nam Fatherland Front, Viet Nam Women's Union, Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth
Union, Viet Nam Red Cross, and other relevant organizations to participate in the Central
Steering Committee on DPC.
MARD is the permanent body of the Central Steering Committee on DPC,
performing the tasks of state management on NDPC. The ministry uses the apparatus
and staff of the Vietnam Disaster Management Authority to serve as the Standing Officeof the Steering Committee.
The mandate of the NSCNDPC is wide-ranging from policy and planning todirecting disaster response, and includes the following responsibilities:
 Provide guidance for the formulation and implementation of national
strategies and plans, and policies and laws on natural disaster management; Preside over the preparation of disaster response plans; Direct and coordinate disaster response and recovery nationwide: direct
response to “Level 3” disasters; Provide advice on directing response to “Level 4” and “Level 5” natural
disasters; Coordinate and assist or direct local authorities to respond to “Level 1” and“Level 2” natural disasters if such disasters have unanticipated developments which
may result in serious consequences; Depending on the natural disaster developments and actual situation, decide
to take urgent measures and mobilize resources of ministries, ministerial agencies,
governmental agencies, organizations and individuals to respond to and remedy theconsequences of natural disasters in accordance with regulations of LNDPC;
 Direct the production of statistics on damage and local authorities andministries’ demands for emergency assistance, recovery and reconstruction;
 Consolidate and consider proposing to the Government and Prime Ministerfor their decision on measures, use of central government budget and other legal
resources for emergency response and disaster recovery nationwide; Inspect, expedite and provide guidelines for natural disaster management by
ministries and local authorities as prescribed by law; Direct, organize drills and provide training for forces involved in natural
disaster management; direct, implement and organize the implementation of measures
to gradually increase civil capacity for natural disaster response; Direct and organize the provision of infrastructure, equipment, materials andspecial-purpose vehicles; establish database to serve issuance of decisions oncommand over disaster management at all levels;
 Call for, receive and provide domestic and foreign assistance in case ofdisaster-related emergency due to natural disasters;8 Provide guidelines, inspect, expedite and consolidate results of provision ofassistance resources and report same to the Prime Minister; Direct and prepare documents, provide training, disseminate andcommunicate information via social networks and raise community awareness of natural
disaster management on an annual basis; Provide guidance on activities of internal voluntary forces in charge of natural
disaster management; Advise the Prime Minister on establishing a Front Line Steering Committee
responsible for provide directions in the areas affected by disasters in special situations; Preside over developing and publishing a white paper on disastermanagement on an annual basis; Provide directions and formulate an operating plan and plan for provision offunding for performance of tasks on an annual basis.
4. History of Natural Disaster
Over the past 20 years, disasters caused 500 dead and missing persons per year,
and an economic loss to the GDP is about 1÷1.5%. The figures below showed thedamages and losses of disaster for the period 1990 – 2020.

3,500
3,000
2,500
2,000
1,500
1,000
,500
,0

No. of dead and missing

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3,000
2,500
2,000
1,500
1,000
,500
,0

Economic losses (million USD)

The following is a list of major disaster occurred in Vietnam in the last ten years
and its damages and losses.
October 2021 – Floods and Tropical Depression
Floods and landslides caused by heavy rain affected northern and central
Vietnam, resulting in casualties. In Quang Binh province, up to 1,903 residents acrossseven towns and districts were evacuated, and more than 1,300 houses weredamaged. In Quang Ngai and Quang Nam at least one person died, 7,000 people were
evacuated, and more than 16,400 houses were flooded. Floods and landslides blocked
many of the main roads across central and north Vietnam, and power outages werereported in Thua Thien-Hue Province.

Figure 4: Dong Giang District, Quang Nam province severely flooded in October 2021

September 2021 – Storm Conson
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Storm Conson triggered flash
floods in central Vietnam, which
resulted in two fatalities, hundreds ofhouses damaged, and over 1,000
hectares of rice field destroyed. The
most affected provinces were Quang
Ngai, Quang Tri, Kon Tum, and Gia Lai.
Rough seas caused problems for ships
and 18 people were rescued from two
ships that ran aground.

Figure 5: Tracks of Con Son Typhoon.

October to November 2020 – Central Vietnam Floods
In October and November 2020, Vietnam experienced the worst flooding in thepast decade with the Inter Tropical Convergence Zone combined with six consecutive
tropical depressions, storms, and tropical typhoons that resulted in widespread flooding
in most of central Vietnam, killing 291 people with an additional 66 persons reported
missing, and severely affecting 1.5 million people. The disaster destroyed over 500,000
houses, 144,000 ha of rice paddies, 787 km (489 miles) of dykes and canals, anderoded and damaged 272 km (169 miles) of coastline, resulting in economic damage
worth US$1,443,850. The VNDMA reported that many areas in central Viet Nam
recorded a total rainfall of more than 2,400 mm, and in some locations, floodwaters
exceeded the previous historical high recorded in 1979 and 1999.

Figure 6: Timeline of key events from 11 October to 31 November 202011

Source: UNOCHA and VNDMA
Typhoon Molave, which made landfall on 28 October 2020 with winds up to145km/h (90 miles per hour (mph)), was one of the most devastating typhoons in the
country for decades. The Vietnamese Government declared a state of emergency inseven of the 14 affected central provinces.

Figure 7 : Flooding in Tuyen Hoa & Le Thuy districts, Quang Binh province

August 2020 – Floods and Landslides
Heavy rains, floods, flash floods, and landslides impacted 13 provinces and cities
in northern Vietnam, resulting in seven deaths, 1 missing, over 1,000 damaged houses,
and over 2,000 hectares of rice and crop destroyed.

Figure 8 : Searching for missing people in Tra Leng and landslides at National Defense
Economic Mission 337

February-April 2020 – Severe Drought and Saltwater Intrusion

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During this period, 10 of the 13
provinces in the Mekong River Delta
area were affected by drought andsaltwater intrusion, resulting in water
shortages, significant damage to crops,
and limited access to water for over
200,000 households. More than 685,000
people had access to livelihoods andbasic services disrupted, with anestimated loss of production from
460,000 ha of rice paddy.

October 2019 – Typhoon Matmo, Floods, and Landslides
Typhoon Matmo passed over central Vietnam on 30 October, destroying 179
houses and damaging 2,314 others in the provinces of Quang Ngai. Binh Dinh, Phu
Yen, Gia Lai, and Thua Thien Hue. As a result, one person was reported missing and
14 more people were injured. In the same month, heavy rain caused flooding in otherparts of central Vietnam including Nghe An, Binh Dinh, and Ha Tinh, where threefatalities and damaging to over 5,000 houses was reported. The heavy rain also
triggered landslides, which blocked major roads in several areas.
September 2019 – Tropical Cyclone Podul
Tropical Cyclone Podul made landfall over Quang Binh Province in central
Vietnam on 29 August with maximum sustained winds of 55-65 km/h (XX mph). Six
people died as a result of wind-induced damage and flooding.
August 2019 – Floods
Following torrential rains, in August 2019, several provinces in the central
highlands and southern region were flooded. The worst affected provinces were Kien
Giang, Lam Dong, Dak Lak, and Dak Nong. Other provinces affected include Gia Lai,
Kon Tum, Dong Nai, Binh Thuan, and Binh Phuoc. The disaster resulted in 11 deaths
and one missing person, five injuries, and over 1,985 people evacuated. In total,
12,307 houses were flooded.
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August 2019 – Floods
In August 2019, Phu Quoc, a popular tourist destination island, experienced theworst flooding in its history. Within seven days, Phu Quoc received more than 1m (39inches) of rain, while the average annual rainfall on the island is 3m (118 inches). The
heavy rainfall flooded 8,424 houses and caused damages totaling US$4.6 million.
November 2017 - Typhoon Damrey
The aftermath of Typhoon
Damrey affected 4.3 million people in 9
provinces and left 107 people dead.
The typhoon destroyed approximately
3,400 houses and damaged
approximately 141,100 houses. The
typhoon also submerged 5,296 ha of
paddy fields and nearly 15,000 ha ofvegetables and fruit fields.
Figure 9: Damrey Typhoon Track

Figure 10: Damages caused by Damrey Typhoon in Khanh Hoa Province

14June - August 2017 - Floods
Heavy rain triggered flash floods and landslides in four northwestern Vietnamese
provinces, which left 27 dead, 14 people missing, and 231 houses washed away orcollapsed. In addition, landslides damaged 425 houses and about 340 ha of agriculturalland.
2015-2017 - Drought
The worst drought Vietnam had seen in 90 years started in 2015 and lasted until
2017. The drought was attributed to the El Niño weather event, with 52 out of 63
provinces affected. In addition, the drought was aggravated by saltwater intrusion that
extended up to 90 km inland in some coastal areas, leaving river water too salty forhuman or animal consumption, or to irrigate crops and continue fish-farming production.
In total, 2 million people including 520,000 children and 1 million women, were in needof humanitarian assistance.
August 2016 - Floods and Landslides
Tropical Storm Dianmu triggered floods and landslides in Yen Bai, Phu Tho, Lai
Chau, Dien Bien, Son La, Hoa Binh, and Thanh Hoa provinces. At least nine people
were reported to have died, and 1,341 houses were inundated in the first month. By
December 2016, it was reported that 134 people had died, 151 people were injured,
233,271 houses flooded, and 4,093 houses were damaged or collapsed.
November 2013 - Floods
A tropical depression hit the south-central provinces of Vietnam, which felt heavy
rains and strong winds. As a consequence of the heavy rain, extensive flooding affected
the central provinces of Quang Nam, Quang Ngai, Da Nang, Phu Yen, and Binh Dinh
5. Disaster mapping and zoning
Viet Nam developed disaster maps early on – an area of disaster risk
assessment that Viet Nam places a great importance on. Disaster zoning was used in
the Disaster Prevention and Control Strategy.

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Disaster zoning helps Viet Nam to identify priority groups of measures for eachregion. In the context of resource and capacity constraints, prioritize measures help Viet
Nam address the most urgent and pressing problems when disasters occur.
However, the lack of analytical assessments of vulnerability and exposure has
resulted in not producing optimal solutions to disaster prevention and control forvulnerable groups in communities, and lack of the most practical solutions to theirproblems. At the same time, disaster zoning puts forward disaster prevention and control
measures with the focus on only hard technology measures, without taking into accountendogenous options – such as promoting people’s capacities and awareness on disasterprevention and control and risk reduction, which renders some investment solutions to
disaster prevention and control quite expensive.
Currently, the Government of Viet Nam is gradually mapping disaster events
nationwide in more detail for each type of disaster such as flash floods, landslides, floods,
typhoons, super storms, etc.
Developing these maps requires significant financial and technical resources aswell as a reasonably competent organizational apparatus for managing, constantly
updating, analyzing and sharing mapping results with agencies and localities. Most of thecurrent disaster maps are geographically dispersed and not nationwide.

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Figure 11: Flood disaster map in the period of 2016 to 2035

Source: IMHEN, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment – 2016

Figure 12 : Landslide disaster map under climate change scenario 2050

Source: Institute of Geosciences and Mineral Resources, Ministry of Natural
Resources and Environment – 201617

III. OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES
1. OPPORTUNITIESDRM drawn attention of the Communist Party and Governments from thecentral to the local levels.
During the 2020 - 2021, several under law documents have been issued for the
purpose of strengthening the disaster risk management from Central to local levels.
For the first time, the Politburo issued the Directive on strengthening the Party's
leadership in disaster preparedness, response and recovery (Directive 42-CT/TW dated
March 24/2020). The Conference to review the DRM operations chaired by the Prime
Minister, Deputy Prime Minister - Head of the National Committee was successfullyorganized in the years of 2020 and 2021.

Figure 13 : The Prime Minister made a speech directing the National Conference

Disaster risk reduction is integrated into the socio-economic development
plans at all sectors and levels
The DRM contents were integrated into the strategies, plans and activities at all
sectors and levels. In 2020, the National Coordination Office for New Rural
Development Program has coordinated to promote the combination of resilient
communities and new rural development activities. The Central Steering Committee of
National target program on the new rural development has coordinated to build 08
successful DRM models at commune level in the regions which will be replicated acrossthe country.

Individuals and organizations actively participating in DRM
The period 2020-2021 has witnessed the proactive participation of organizations
and individuals in disaster risk management process. For example, when receiving theinformation of Typhoon No. 9’s landfall, fishermen in provinces such as Phu Yen, Khanh
Hoa ... proactively implemented prevention plans by tighening open rafts, even bringing
raft cages ashore to minimize damage. Similarly, in the Mekong Delta, in order toproactively respond to saltwater intrusion, people have changed the structure of crops
and livestock to turn "challenges" into "opportunity".
Capacity building for DRM staff
The capacity building for on-duty staff, guiding the development of processes onduty information, reservoir operation, disaster response management, databases ... arecarried out regularly to improve the professionalism and efficiency in the on-duty responses
to emergency disaster situations.
National Program 553 (previously is the Program 1002) on community awarenessraising and community-based disaster risk management are continuously implemented.
In 2020 and 2021, the first Disaster Response Team Gameshow was successfullyorganized with the participation of disaster-prone provinces and cities in the country. The
contest aims to raise public awareness on DRM-CCA by integrating knowledge and skillsin the form of new and attractive game-shows.
Communication and information sharing
Information, communication and networking have been the backbone ofsuccessful disaster response and preparation. Disseminating information not only tothose in-country and threatened by disaster, but also to those responding to assist in theemergency has been crucial to timely, efficient, and effective disaster response. Recent
technology has advanced to aid predicting and alerting of disasters around the world
which has resulted in early warning and evacuation measures as well as opportunities toreact and prepare for incoming threats to countries.
- Every year, about 100,000 articles from central and local news agencies were
published reflecting the situation of natural disasters, provide timely, accurate andeffective information on disaster response to people across the country.

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Figure 14: Former MARD Minister Nguyen Xuan Cuong and UNDP representative
presented the National Press Award- The Facebook page on DRM information continue to be effective: an averageof interactions of 80 million people in the month is recorded

Promoting science and technology in DRM
Science and technology has many new changes and integrated into the databasefor advising and directing DRM activities to meet the following needs: Supervision andexecutive direction; Monitoring data management; Static data management (to be
updated periodically and annually). The system is connected to related databases andsystems such as: information on operation of hydroelectric reservoirs and irrigation
reservoirs; information on supervision of fishing vessels; information from enterprises,...
monitor all information of 2,700km of dikes managed by the central government; real-time
operation status of 6,995 reservoirs (including 176 hydroelectric reservoirs managed by20

the Ministry of Industry and Trade, 69 hydroelectric reservoirs managed by EVN Groupand 6,750 irrigation reservoirs; location information of nearly 26,000 boats, 67 storm
shelters; current status of 1,417 erosion points.

Figure 15 : VNDMS disaster monitoring system and inter-reservoir management software
for Red River basin

Construction of DRM works using new technologies.

Figure 16 : Cai Lon – Cai Be irrigation system under construction

Promoting international cooperation on disaster risk management
Promoting international cooperation through several agreements and commitment ofVietnam such as Sendai Action Framework, ADDMER, international platform, Mekong River
Commission...; in close coordination with multilateral financial institutions, organizations andUnited Nations agencies.
In 2020, the Disaster Risk Reduction Partnership was established with themembership of 22 international organizations and NGOs. The Partnership has played aleading role in information sharing, calling for the support of partner members in responding
and overcoming special disaster consequences during major natural disasters such as: the21

2019-2020 drought and saltwater intrusion (total funding of more than $1 million USD in relief
to the people in the Mekong Delta) and 2020 historical flooding in the Central region (total
funding of USD 25 million USD).

Figure 17 : Mobilizing and supporting people in Central provinces damaged by floods

2. CHALLENGES
Awareness on disaster risk reduction
Awareness of local authorities and communities on DRR is still limited. Thus theinvestment on the consolidation and strengthening of administration apparatus,
mechanisms and policies or in the integration of socio-economic development contents
into socio-economic development activities (SEDP) are not adequate.
Some localities are not fully aware of deforestation of mangroves or the overdevelopment of dams and reservoirs in the upstream, groundwater overexploitation,water depletion etc. which have resulted in increasing floods, droughts, saltwater intrusion,
landslides, erosions, land subsidence.
Organizations and experts involving in DRM do not have full knowledge andunderstanding of underlying causes of some types of natural disasters under climatechange impacts, or impacts of socio-economic activities in both upstream anddownstream areas. Long-term, substantial and sustainable solutions to such problems
have not been worked out.
People are also not fully aware of disaster risks, especially their production
practices have led to increased risks and disaster losses. Majority of people do not realize
the importance of investments in and contributions to DRM to protect their own lives andbusinesses.
DRM related laws, regulations, policies and cost norms
Systems of DRM related laws, regulations, policies and cost norms have manygaps and are not consistent and synchronous:22

- The Law on Natural Disaster Prevention and Control (DRM Law) has beendeveloped and promulgated. However, but there are still many shortcomings andlimitations in terms of contents, subject of application and scope of application, including:disaster zoning is only applied for earthquakes, tsunamis and storms and tropicaldepressions; the classification of disaster risk levels is not applied for riverbank andcoastal erosion; some disaster risk levels of floods, inundation, storms, droughts andsaltwater intrusion are not well defined and relevant in accordance with Government’s
directions;
Disaster risk assessment has not been implemented; sanctions to administration
violations to DRM and dyke management legal regulations have not fully handled;disaster recovery regulations have not been adequate;
The enforcement of DRM laws and regulations has many gaps and shortcomings
etc. The integration of DRM issues into development plans and plannings of local
authorities and sectors are not effectively conducted; among challenges and limitations
are the collection and spending of DRM Funds, management of ships and boats before
sailing offshore, or some inter-reservoir operation procedures are not promptly reviewed
and revised.
- Relevant mechanism and policies are not synchronized or necessary ones are
not timely issues; especially those relate to financial management or integrate of DRM
issues into SEDPs or sector development plans, the participation of community in DRM
etc.
DRM plans and activities are mainly developed by state agencies. The
construction, maintenance, operation and management of DRM works are not
crowdfunded.
Although disasters are becoming more complicated and fierce, together with rapidsocio-economic growth, necessary DRM mechanisms and policies have not been issued
or amended to adapt to the situation, including risk finance, disaster insurance, disaster
relief, or incentives to investments and construction of DRM works.
DRM Plans exposes many inappropriate contents, including both planning andimplementation phases. Integration approach is not effectively adopted, e.g. integrated
flood management or integrate river basin management and multi-purposed works are
not well exploited and operated, especially the combination of irrigation and transport
works.
Necessary projects, programs and researches are not promptly launched to meetpractical needs; human and physical resources are inadequate to input the development
and implementation of disaster management solutions, including DRM capacity building
at national level.
DRM related specifications and technical norms are not timely and appropriately
adapted to the current situation, especially in the context of climate change impacts. The
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applicability and scope of application of these national technical norms and specifications
are limited, especially those relate to social resilience in disasters. The management,
updating and sharing of disaster database are not well operated and managed, such as
information and data relating to hydrology, marine, sediment, channel developments,
coastal stabilization etc. Moreover, socio-economic databases are insufficient and are notdisaggregated by gender, age and disability for decision making support.
- Sanctions to DRM violations are insufficient and not strong enough, especially toviolations to disaster safety control of infrastructure, urban areas, residential areas, roads
etc. Mineral exploitation, especially the exploitation of sand and gravel, the encroachment
on river beds and floodplains etc. still have many shortcomings and are not well managed.
- The procedures for receiving disaster reliefs and aids to recover disasters inemergency situations remain complicated and do not ensure timely delivery and thus
reduce the efficiency of such disaster reliefs. It is especially true in the case of recovery
supports from the national state contingent budget and reserves. Some localities arefound slow and inefficient in disbursing state funding to recover disaster damages andlosses.
Crowdfunding policies and mechanisms for DRM are not popular and not yet
attract the active participation of private sector in the sector. Disaster risk insurance policy
has not been widely applied so that disaster affected people can be compensated fordisaster damages and losses.
Inconsistence on the organizational structure, roles, functions and tasks of
DRM agencies at all levels
Professional capacity of DRM staff is limited, especially at district and commune
levels. DRM human resource at all level lack supporting tools to ensure the execution of
their tasks and duties, especially field activities or in dangerous situations endangering
lives and properties; disaster management staff at grass root level is not well trained or
not well staffed.
Disaster risk management infrastructure- Hydro-meteorological monitoring and forecasting stations are significantly
inadequate with outdated and obsolete measurement equipment. As a result, theforecasting is not sufficient and efficient, failing to meet requirements, especially forecastsof rainfall, localized floods or onshore storms etc. which are not prompt and correct.
- DRM works (reservoirs, dams, embankments, culverts, drought and flood
protection works, anchorage areas etc.) are not complete or synchronous. Many works
have been degraded and damaged, yet not yet repaired, and failed to protect people andproperties in disasters.

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- The 1,500 km of river dyke has not been upgraded. 230 vulnerable and damaged
sections of dykes, embankments and sluices have not been maintained or repaired1.
- The sea dyke system has been upgraded under the Sea dyke investment
program for provinces from Quang Ninh to Quang Nam and from Quang Ngai to Kien
Giang. So far, as many as 887/2,861km (nearly 30%) of sea dykes have been upgraded
and renovated, however they are only resistant to medium tides or storms grade 9-10;- Reservoir system: among 6,750 irrigation reservoirs, 1,200 reservoirs have been
built long time ago and become deteriorated. Among them, 200 reservoirs in 36
provinces/cities are seriously degraded and present a risk of failure2;- Urban irrigation and drainage systems: Many important flood protection works,
inundation drainage works or drought prevention structures have been either constructedor repaired or upgraded, especially in the Mekong River Delta, South Central Coast andCentral Highlands;- Anchorages for boats and ships in storms: Over 50% of anchoring areas for ships
and boats in storms have not been invested. As a result, up to 83,850 ships and boats
have nowhere to anchor safety in disasters.
- River bank and coastal erosion management: 2,358 points of erosion along a
total length of over 3,133 km have been surveyed and detected. Among them, 206 points
are particularly critical and vulnerable (potential erosions threatening dyke safety,
residential areas and important infrastructure behind these dykes) along a total length of
427km.
Disaster risk management planning- The planning of disaster prone areas is not proper or in-adequate, including therelocation of people in the reservoir impoundment or people in flashflood and landslide
prone areas in the Northern Mountainous Region.
- The formulation and integration of DRM into SEDPs and other development plans
are limited. The planning and construction of urban areas, concentrated residential areas,
resorts, infrastructure systems, industrial zones, mineral exploitation, construction andupgrading and expansion of roads in mountainous and midland regions and hydropower
reservoirs etc.... do not pay sufficient attention to disaster resilience and safety. As theresult, disaster risks are increased. Such works do not have multiple functions to reduce
costs and increase investment efficiency. There is also under-risk infrastructuredevelopment such as the construction of houses and structures in disaster prone areasor areas having flashflood and landslide risks or fish ponds on hillsides or dykes locatednext to waterline or resorts built close to the sea etc. Urban development and1 Dyke survey data for flood season 2020
2
Report No. 6261/BNN-TCTL dated 11 September 2020 of MARD
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concentrated residential areas have not reserved water space, yet they increase flooding
risk and expand the inundated areas in some cities.
Community awareness raising
Although the Government Program of community awareness raising andcommunity based disaster risk management has been launched for years, results arequite modest. In fact, community awareness on disasters and disaster risk, disasterprevention measures for different types of disasters have been limited, which resulted indisaster damages and losses due to ignorance or lack of disaster response skills.
Information and communication
Efforts on DRM information and communication have been made for many years,
yet many shortcomings have been observed. DRM information does not reach local
people, especially ones in remote and mountainous villages. The information is especially
important when a disaster is coming. Forms and contents of communication activities andpropaganda are not diversified without focusing on practical themes guiding theprevention and control of disasters for local people. Communication activities mainly takeplace during or after a disaster or in a workshop, event or anniversary. Disaster impacts
on lives, health, living environments, socio-economic and vice versa impacts of suchhuman made activities on the environment, nature, disaster risk and climate risks.
Science and technology
Scientific and technological research and application in DRM are limited, especiallyin the management, commanding and operation based on real time. Many R&D tasks
relating to DRM issues are not practical and difficult to be applied.
Many types of natural disasters have been identified and understood and as aresult substantial solutions have not been worked out given the context of climate change
and booming upstream and downstream socio-economic development. The applicationof new technologies is not effective, especially in real-time management and operation,
online disaster operation, decision supporting, remote sensing and construction of DRM
works.
International cooperation
International cooperation in DRM has significant changed and improved, yet not
up to expectations when many trans-boundary disaster issues have not been addressed,
including drought and saltwater intrusion in the Southeast region, Mekong River Delta,
water uses along the Mekong River, sharing of Red River upstream flood forecast andwarning information. Information sharing for disaster forecast and warning, water
resource management, reservoir operations to control flood, preventing and controlling26

drought and saltwater intrusion, preventing riverbank and coastal erosion etc. fortransboundary river (Red River, Mekong River) have not been regularly implemented.
Financial resources
The financial sources for DRM activities have been promoted, yet the investments
have not yet met disaster risk management needs.
- Findings for disaster prevention and recovery efforts are lacking and fail to meet
local needs (to cover the construction of DRM works such as river and sea dikes,
reservoirs, ship anchorages etc.). The current financing only meets as much as 40% of
total needs. Especially, budget contingency for disaster responses and recovery disasters
only meets as much as 20% of the demand). Therefore, disaster management is only
limited to situation responses other than “build back better” as orientated in the Sendai
framework.
- The establishment and maintenance of DRM Fund are delayed. Nearly 2 years
following the DRM fund regulation is officially issued, only 39/63 provinces and cities
established their DRM fund. Revenues of the DRM fund and its funded activities arecontroversial in both terms of its structure, contributors, payment etc. As a result. The
operation of these DRM funds are quite inefficient and limited. There is currently no DRM
fund at national level and the fundraising activities and funding coordination between
localities for DRM operations cannot be realized.
- The crowdfunding of DRM operations and participation of private sector in thedevelopment of DRM works are not well encouraged. Such cooperation is only limited tosome forms of private funds from businesses to support the disaster relief phase. There
are also some limited investments in very small-scale DRM works.
- Disaster recovery operations are too slow. Main efforts are focused on
immediate solutions to restore people's lives and production rather than substantial andlong-term recovery solutions. Regulations on fundraising, receiving, distributing andusing voluntary supports and aids from organizations and individuals are not welldefined which led to ineffective and inadequate implementation
IV. KEY TASKS ON DISASTER RISK MANAGEMENT IN VIETNAM
The direction of the Party, Government on DMR implemented in consistent,
effective and efficient manners.
- Integrate the DRM content into the plans of ministries, and localities to implement- Review the implementation of Directive 42-CT/TW dated 24/3/2020 of theCommunist Party Central Secretariat on the prevention, response and recovery ofconsequences of natural disasters. In which, focusing on assessing the Party committees
and organizations at all levels in identification of the prevention, response and recovery
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natural disasters is an important, urgent and regular tasks of the whole political systemand social.
- Assess the implementation of the Government's Resolution 76/NQ-CP dated
June 18, 2018 on natural disaster prevention and control, and proposing tasks andsuitable solution adjustments to meet requirement from natural disaster programs andplans in the future.
- Develop a plan to implement the National Strategy on Natural Disaster Prevention,
Response and Control to 2030, with a vision toward 2050 and the Government Programon community awareness raising and community-based disaster risk management
toward 2030.
- Develop national, regional, sectors, provincial, and residential plans for pronearea to natural disasters, especially storms, floods and flash floods, landslide, inundation,
river and coastal erosion.
- Strengthen communication combining with traditional methods with multimedia
to transmit accurate and timely information on natural disasters in accordance with natural
disaster characteristics of region, beneficial subjects with consideration on those who arevulnerable.
Consolidate the legal system and policies on disaster risk management- Complete the mechanism on disaster risk insurance, forecasting and monitoring
service, and natural disaster risk impacts assessment.
- Allocate dedicated budget line for natural disaster risk management- Review mechanisms, policies on natural forest management and protection;
Continue planting and regenerating protective forests and coastal mangrove forests tominimize the impact of changing of the natural equilibrium state of hills, mountains, rivers,
streams and coastal strips.
Enhance the capacity of natural disaster forecasting, warning, andmonitoring in a timely and reliable manner- Prioritize investment in basic research on disaster, hydrological forecasting
systems, and standard and modern disaster monitoring systems.
- Strengthen review and update activities on climate change scenarios, sea levelrise, long-term forecasts on natural disasters and water sources, especially fortransboundary rivers.
- Review, adjust and supplement standards and technical regulations, and risk
levels in accordance with natural disaster characteristics, contexts of each region andpart.
- Ministries, sectors and localities promote the installation of rain gauge and waterlevel monitoring stations, reservoir surveillance cameras, crucial dikes, high-risk areas for28

landslides, and tracking equipment for vessel.
Mobilize resources and efficiently use for DRM- Mobilize fundings and efficiently use according to decentralization and legal
authority. Allocate budget for the medium-term public investment plan for the period 20212025 and annual budget contingencies to proactively prevent, respond and recovery
consequences of natural disasters, especially critical disasters such as strong storms, big
floods, flash floods, landslides, droughts, saltwater intrusion. Combining the effective useof domestic and ODA resources to implement strategies, master plans, plans, masterprograms, projects on natural disaster prevention, response and recovery that have beenor are being approved by competent authorities- Priority allocating budgets to focus on completely handling urgent works torecovery consequences of natural disasters by 2020 for especially in the central
provinces; 230 crucial dyke areas, 200 critical reservoirs, high-risk river and coastal
erosion areas, and high risk of flash floods and landslides areas as well. Expeditiously
complete the investment preparation stage for the development of the Disaster Operation
Center in the 4th quarter of 2021.
- To concentrate investment resources, upgrade material foundations andequipment of advisory agencies to serve the direction and administration of disaster
response at all levels, especially steering agencies at national and regional levels in amodern manner direction on a par with other countries in the region- To continue implementing the support program to poor households to build
houses to prevent floods and storms for 14 Central region provinces; building andtransferring housing models of people in flooding areas, prone-areas to landslide, public
works (cultural houses, schools, ...) in combination with storm and flood shelter; Approval
decision of the task of planning the system of fishing ports, storm shelter anchorage forfishing vessels in the period 2021 – 2030 with a vision to 2050 (currently the number ofboats anchorage port and storm shelter can only meet about 48% needs).
Review and arrange priority order, step by step construction investment, enhancedisaster resilience of the infrastructure system
Enhance the role and capacity of state management on DRM- To consolidate the state management organization system on the basis ofcentralization and unification direction, clearly defining functions and tasks, resolving thedispersal and overlapping situation. Raise the operational level of natural disasterprevention and control agencies at all levels towards full time, on the basis of reorganizing
the existing organizations, building professional, capable, qualified and skilled staff tomeet the requirements in the new context. Focusing on consolidating and enhancing thequality and efficiency of the operations of the rescue and rescue forces at the central level29and the shock force for natural disaster prevention and control at the grassroots level.
- Promote the core role of existing forces operating at all levels to reinforce,
consolidate and supplement essential resources and equipment. Gradually improve
capacities, skills and conditions to ensure timely implementation and flexible handling of
natural disaster situations under the motto "four on-the-spot" in accordance with the fieldsof ministries, sectors and regions, parts, and locality- Ministries, sectors and People's Committees at all levels are responsible for
ensuring resources and operating conditions for agencies and forces involved in theprevention, response and recovery of consequences of natural disasters at the same level
especially the shock force.
- Strictly control the investment in the construction of infrastructure for socioeconomic development associated with climate change response and natural disasterprevention such as mountainous traffic construction, reservoir construction, hydropower,
especially small hydroelectric projects
Promote science and technology and international cooperation on disasterrisk management- To identify scientific and technological development as a key task and effective
solution in the prevention, response and recovery of consequences of natural disasters.
Priority is given to research, production, technology for monitoring, directing, managing
and responding to natural disasters. Especially for major natural disasters occurring on alarge area such as storms, floods, flash floods, landslides, droughts, salt water intrusion.
- Focus on application of remote sensing technology, information technology,
automation, new materials in database management, exploitation and operation, andtools to support direction and administration. Continue to encourage businesses andresearch agencies to invest in science and technology, and public - private partnerships- Building tools to support real-time operation and management; regularly update
the database system on natural disaster prevention, infrastructure, livelihood, economy
and society, especially in areas frequently affected by natural disasters.
- Promote cooperation, exchange, and sharing of information and experiences,
especially with upstream countries of the Red River, the Mekong River and countries in
the Asia region. Coordinate with international organizations in completing legal
frameworks and developing a disaster risk database. Improve efficiency of international
assistance, effectively implement international commitments on natural disaster risk
prevention, response and mitigation in which Vietnam participates.

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