Wastewater Management in Vietnam:
Business Opportunities

Hanoi - Tokyo, July 2020
Prof. Dr. Viet-Anh Nguyen• Director, Institute of Environmental Science and Engineering (IESE), Hanoi University of Civil Engineering.
•Head of Science and Technology Department, Vietnam Association of Water Supply and Sewerage (VWSA)VIETNAM WATER SECTOR IN BRIEF
Urbanization and Pressures on Technical Infrastructure••••

07/2019, MOC: 833 cities and towns; 38.5% population.
Total urban water supply capacity: 9,0 million m3/day.
Urban population served with tap water: 86%.
Non-revenue water: 21,5% (from 6% to 30%; reduced from 31% in2010).
• Average water consumption: 110 l/cap/day (33…213 l/cap/day)

Prof. Dr. Nguyen Viet Anh, IESE, HUCE

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VIETNAM URBAN WASTEWATER MANAGEMENT▪ 90% of HHs have septic tank as a preliminary treatment step (onlyblack wastewater passes through septic tank, in most of cases)▪ 4% of septage disposed satisfactorily▪ 70% of HHs have access to piped drainage/ sewerage systems▪ 15% of collected drainage/ sewerage treated by centralizedWWTPs▪ 54 municipal WWTPs currently in operation, with total capacity~1,000,000 m3/day.
▪ 77 municipal WWTPs in planning/construction, with total capacity
1.5 million m3/day▪ Investment over last 5 years: >USD 1 billion (USD 220 million/year)(>80% is ODA, rest is from state budget)▪ Private sector is starting to take part in wastewater management(BT projects, Contract for Operation of WWTPs).

WW treatment technologies applied:CAS, AO, A2O, SBR, OD, TF, Stab. Ponds, CEPT, etc.
3Prof. Dr. Nguyen Viet Anh, IESE, HUCE

VIETNAM URBAN WASTEWATER MANAGEMENTIn-operation Municipal WWTPs
No1234567891011121314151617181920
21222324252627282930

Name of WWTP
Kim Lien
Truc BachNorth Thang LongYen SoHo TayBay Mau
Cau NgaBắc NinhTừ SơnBắc GiangBãi Cháy
Hà Khánh
Vĩnh YênHai Duong
Quy Luu
Thanh Chau
Thanh Hóa
Bim SonSam SonVinh
Cửa Lò
Thai Hoa
Duc Minh
Phú LộcNgũ Hành SơnSơn TràHòa CườngHòa Xuân
Nhon Binh
Buôn Ma Thuot

CityHanoi
Hanoi
Hanoi
Hanoi
Hanoi
Hanoi
Hanoi
Bac Ninh
Tu SonBac GiangHa LongHa Long
Vinh Yen
Hai Duong
Phu LyPhu LyThanh Hoa
Bim SonSam SonVinh
Cua LoThai Hoa
Dong Hoi
Da Nang
Da Nang
Da Nang
Da Nang
Da Nang
Quy Nhơn
Buon Ma Thuot

Design Capacity (㎥/day）
3,700
2,500
41,000200,000
22,80013,30020,00017,50033,00010,000
3,500
7,000
5,000
13,0002,500
5,000
15,0003,500
4,000
25,0003,700
4,500
10,00040,00010,00025,50047,60020,00014,0008,500

Sewer Type
CSS
CSS
CSS
CSS
CSS
CSS
CSS
CSS
CSS
CSS
CSS
CSS
CSS
CSS
CSS
CSS
CSS
CSS
CSS
CSS
CSS
CSSCSSCSS
CSS
CSS
CSS
CSS
SSS

Treatment Process
A2O
A2O
A2O with nitrification
SBR
Modified SBR
CAS
Modified SBR
SBR
SBR
Oxidation Ditch
SBR
SBR
CAS
Mecanical Treatment
A2O with fixed film
Stabilization Pond

CAS
SBR
OD
Aerated lagoon
SBR
Anerobic Pond with float cover
Anerobic Pond with float cover
Anerobic Pond with float cover
SBR
AnF + TF
Stabilization Pond

4
Prof. Dr. Nguyen Viet Anh, IESE, HUCE

VIETNAM URBAN WASTEWATER MANAGEMENT
In-operation Municipal WWTPs (cont.)
No

Name of WWTPCity

Design Capacity (㎥/day）

313233343536373839404142434445464748495051525354

Da LatDa Lat (Expansion)South Nha Trang
Thap chamPhan Thiet
Thủ Dầu Một
Thuan An
Binh HungBình Hưng Hòa
Nam Vien (Phu My Hung)
Canh Doi (Phu My Hung)
Vung Tau
Soc Trang
Chau Doc
Ninh Binh
Tam KyHoi AnBinh Phuoc
Dong HaGia Nghia
Tuy Hoa
Cam Ranh
Phan Thiet
Can ThoTotal

Da LatDa LatNha Trang
Phan Rang
Phan Thiet
Thu Dau Mot
Thuan An
HCMC
HCMC
HCMC
HCMC
Vung Tau
Soc Trang
Chau Doc
Ninh Binh
Tam KyHoi AnDong Xoai
Dong HaGia Nghia
Tuy Hoa
Cam Ranh
Phan
Can Tho

7,400
14,00040,0005,000
5,000
17,65017,000141,000
30,00015,00010,00022,00013,2005,000
15,000

2,000

4,000
4,000
4,000
4,000
30,0001,002,850

Sewer Type
SSS
SSS
CSS
CSS
CSS
SSS
SSS
CSS
CSS
SSS
SSS
CSS
CSS
CSS
CSS
CSS
CSS
CSS
CSS
CSS
CSS
CSS
CSS
CSS

Treatment Process
Imhoff tank + Trickling Filter
OD
Aerated lagoon
SBR
SBR
CAS
Aerated Pond + Maturation Pond
OD
OD
OD
Mechanical Treatment
Aerated lagoon
Aerated lagoon

PTF

WSPTF

5
Prof. Dr. Nguyen Viet Anh, IESE, HUCE

Truc Bach, Ha Noi (2005)

Kim Lien, Ha Noi (2005)

Da Lat, Lam Dong (2006)

Buon Ma Thuot, Dak Lak(2006)

Hoa Cuong, Da Nang (2006)

Phu Loc, Da Nang (2006)

Ngu Hanh Son, DN (2006)

Son Tra, Da Nang (2006)

Bai Chay, Quang Ninh (2007) Binh Hung Hoa, HCMC (2008) Bac Thang Long, HN (2009)

Nam Vien, PMH, HCMC (2009) Binh Hung, HCMC (2009)

Bac Giang (2010)

Ha Khanh, QN (2009)

6Yen So, Ha Noi (2012)

Nhon Binh, Quy Nhon

Quy Nhon 2ADi An, Binh Duong

Da Lat (extension)

Phan Rang, Thap ChamLong Xuyen, An Giang

Chua Cau, Hoi An

Can ThoVinh Niem, Hai Phong

Prof. Dr. Nguyen Viet Anh, IESE, HUCE

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VIETNAM URBAN WASTEWATER MANAGEMENT
Under-construction Municipal WWTPs
No
12345
678910111213
1415
16
1718
1920
212223
24
25
26
27
28
2930
3132
33
34
3536
37383940

Name of WWTP
Cao BangLang Son
Bac KanThái Nguyên NorthThái Nguyên SouthLao Cai
Tay NamDong BacHa Giang
Hoa BinhViệt TrìSon La
Dien Bien Phu
Vinh Yen
Yen XaPhu DoHoa Lac High Tech Park
Bac Giang (Expansion)
Ha Khau
Ha Khanh (Expansion)
Ha Phong
East Ka Long
West Ka LongVĩnh Niệm
Hung Yen
Thai Binh
Bac Chau Giang
Phu Ly (x)Quang Trung
Dong Son
Hong Linh
Huong Tich Pagoda
Ba ĐồnDuc Minh (Expansion)
Quang Tri
Hue
Lang Co
Hoa Xuan (Expansion)Sơn Trà (Expansion)
Hoi AnCity
Cao BangLang Son
Bac KanThai Nguyen
Thai Nguyen
Lao Cai
Sa Pa
Sa Pa
Ha Giang
Hoa Binh
Viet TriSon LaDien Bien Phu
Vinh Yen
Ha NoiHa NoiHa NoiBac Giang
Ha Long
Ha Long
Ha Long
Mong Cai
Mong Cai
Hai PhongHung Yen
Thai Binh
Phu LyPhu LyBim SonBim SonHong Linh
Can Loc
Ba Don Town
Dong Hoi
Quang TriHue
Lan Co Vilage
Da Nang
Da Nang
Hoi AnDesign Capacity (㎥/day）
3,000
5,200
3,000
8,000
4,300
5,000
2,500
3,000
5,200
25,0007,000
10,0006,000
270,000
85,00036,00010,00019,00017,500
9,300
8,000
4,000
36,000
6,300
10,000
3,000
3,500
3,500
5,000
1,000
3,000
4,800
5,000
30,0003,500
40,00025,0006,750

Sewer TypeCSSCSSCSSCSS
CSS
CSS
CSS
CSS
CSS
CSS
CSS
CSS
CSS
CSS
CSS
CSS
CSS
CSS
CSS
CSS
CSS
CSS
CSS
CSS
CSS
CSS
CSS
CSS
CSS
CSS
CSS
CSS
CSS
CSS
CSS
CSS
CSS
CSS
CSS
CSS

Treatment Process
Aerated Lagoon
Biological Pond
OD
Filtration
OD
OD
OD
OD
Anaerobic Pond
Aerated lagoon
CAS
SBR
A2O
OD
PTF
PTF
PTF
OD
OD
CAS
Unspecified
A2O

OD
OD
OD
Onsite Plant
Aerated lagoon
Aerated lagoon
SBR
CAS
Stabilization pond
SBR
AO

8Prof. Dr. Nguyen Viet Anh, IESE, HUCE

VIETNAM URBAN WASTEWATER MANAGEMENT
Under-construction Municipal WWTPs (cont.)
No4142434445
46474849
50
5152535455
5657
585960616263646566
6768
6970
71
72737475
76
77

Name of WWTP
Tam KyNhon Binh (Expansion)
Bau Sen (2A)
North Nha Trang
Thap cham (Expansion)
Thap cham (Expansion)
Buon Ma Thuot (Expansion)
Bao Loc
Vung Tau (phase 2)
Ba RiaLong Son - Go Gang
Long Dien
Phu My new urban area
Di An
Thay Tho
Bien Hoa (No. 1)
Bien Hoa
Tham Luong Ben Cat
Nhieu Loc - Thi Nghe
Binh Hung (Phase 2)
West Saigon
Binh Tan
Tan Hoa Lo Gom
North Saigon
North Saigon2
Tay Ninh
Ba Den Mountain
Moc Bai
Tra Vinh
Cao LãnhLong XuyênPhu TuCần Thơ
Vi Thanh
Ca MauPhan Rang - Thap Cham
Phan Thiet

CityTam Ky
Quy NhơnQuy NhơnNha Trang
Phan Rang - Thap Cham
Phan Rang - Thap Cham
Buon Ma Thot
Bao Loc
Vung Tau
Ba RiaVung TauLong Hai Town
Tan Thanh District
Di An
Bien Hoa
Bien Hoa
HCMC
HCMC
HCMC
HCMC
HCMC
HCMC
HCMC
HCMC
Tay Ninh
Tay Ninh
Tay Ninh
Tra Vinh
Cao LãnhLong Xuyên
Can Tho
Vi Thanh
Ca MauPhan Rang - Thap Cham
Phan Thiet

Design Capacity (㎥/day）
8,000
14,0002,300
15,00010,00010,00014,0005,000
30,00012,00013,30013,50029,70020,00020,0003,000
39,000250,000
480,000
328,000
150,000
180,000
300,000
170,000
130,000
5,000
1,500
9,000
9,500
10,00060,0001,500
30,0003,500
8,000
10,000

Sewer Type
CSS
CSS
CSS
CSS
CSS
CSS
CSS
CSS
CSS
CSS
CSS
CSS
CSS
CSS
CSS
CSS
CSS
CSS
CSS
CSS
CSS
CSS
CSS
CSS
CSS
CSS
CSS
CSS
CSS
CSS
CSS
CSS
CSS
CSS
CSS
CSS

Treatment Process
Aerated lagoon
AnF + TFOD
OD
OD
Aerated lagoon
MBBR + Filter
CASAeroten
ASBR
ASBR
ASBR
CAS
SBRSBRCAS
CAS or Advanced SBR
CAS or Advanced SBR
CAS or Advanced SBR
CAS or Advanced SBR
CAS or Advanced SBR
Aerated lagoon
Onesite Plant
Undefined (Lagoon/tank/pond)
OD
OD
Onesite Plant
TF
Aerated Lagoon

9Prof. Dr. Nguyen Viet Anh, IESE, HUCECHALLENGES IN URBAN W/W MANAGEMENT✓ CSS (Combined sewerage and drainage system) is dominating in most of
existing urban areas in Vietnam. Most of wastewater projects in these areas
prefer to stay with CSS, due to limited budget. SSS (Separate seweragesystem) is compulsory only in the new urban development projects.
✓ Low C/N in incoming flow to WWTP from CSS is a challenge for biologicalwastewater treatment processes.
✓ Resource recovery from sewage sludge is not applied yet. It’s time to discuss
about energy efficiency, and resource recovery in wastewater
management.
✓ Septic tank sludge management is among hot issues, but not well handled
in all cities, so far.
✓ Many cities are still suffering from floods. Floods are becoming more andmore unpredictable due to climate change. Big market for the Smart andGreen Solutions !

Prof. Dr. Nguyen Viet Anh, IESE, HUCE

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VIETNAM INDUSTRIAL WASTEWATER MANAGEMENT•••326 Is have been established. 230 IPs arein operation. Occupation ratio 73%.
CETPs are at 203 IPs (=88%) (increased
from 30% in 2005).
Ratio of IPs with CETPs: 20%...100%.

South-East region (108 IPs)
Red river delta region (82 IPs)
South-West region (51 IPs)
Other regions (85 IPs)
Nguyen V. A, IESE(MPI, 2018)11

WASTEWATER MANAGEMENT IN INDUSTRIAL PARKS• Total amount of wastewater generated from IPs: 905,000 m3/day(VEA, 2018).
• 80% CETPs at IPs are considered meeting effluent standards (JICA,May 2018).
• Among in operation IPs, there are 107 IPs with area >200ha.
• Common capacity of CETPs: 1,000 – 2,000 m3/day.
Total Area

Wastewater(ha)(m / day)

22

7,673

193,760

Binh Duong28

16,336

136,700

Hanoi

14

3,450

75,000Bac Ninh

15

6,690

65,000Ba Ria – Vung Tau

117,51142,560Nghe An

51,185

26,578Ninh Binh

71,472

13,000Dong Thap

3803

12,477

Khanh Hoa

5887

10,000Thanh Hoa

95,3832,800

51,440577,875

Province
Ho Chi Minh city
(HCMC)

Total

Nguyen V. A, IESE

Number of IZs

3(JICA, 2018; VEA, 2018)12WASTEWATER TREATMENT AT CETPS• Common technologies― Physic-chemical― Trash, Grit removal― Oil and Grease separation― Coagulation - Flocculation― Dissolved air flotation― Biological processes― Activated sludge― Attached growth― MBBR― Combination

Class BClass A
(Nguyen Viet Anh and Son Le, CS11, VIPMP, 2011)

Nguyen V. A, IESE

13CHALLENGES IN INDUSTRIAL WW MANAGEMENT•••••

Control of incoming flows and O&M of CETPs
On-site wastewater treatment + Cleaner production at Factories
Energy efficiency and Energy auditing
Sludge Management, recovery of valuable materials from sludge
Treatment of organics, POPs, color, HMs at on-site WWTPs and CETPs: Highefficient, less foot print, less energy consuming technologies at affordable
costs• Financing for Industrial wastewater projects: Investment, Cost recovery

Nguyen V. A, IESE14

CHALLENGES IN INDUSTRIAL WW MANAGEMENT• Wastewater reuse: Standards are needed (detailed studies, withinvolvement of number of organizations)– Decree 38/2015/ND-CP to encourage reduction of water consumption
and increase of wastewater reuse.
– Vietnamese standard for wastewater ruse in irrigation QCVN
39:2011/BTNMT : not applicable anymore– QCVN 08-MT:2015/BTNMT is applied for wastewater reuse• Reuse of wastewater and sludge: Monitoring, risk management• Emergency control (esp. from 2016)

Nguyen V. A, IESE

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ON-GOING COMBATING MEASURES• Industrial WW management: Polluter-Pays-Principle• Effluent standards for CETPs and for selected industries: Class A
and Class B• Application of EIA report approval; Certification of completion ofEnvi. Protection facilities (Post-EIA); Discharge License;• Installation of AMS; Inspection Campaigns; Environmental Police;
Public Opinions; etc.
• New Decree 40/ND-CP, in force in 2018. Coming soon: newEnvironmental Law• New standard system:
BAT vs Receiving capacity(Under preparation)

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Prof. Dr. Nguyen Viet Anh, IESE, HUCE

EXAMPLE 1: CETP OPERATION OPTIMIZATION•••••

Q = 5000 m3/daySBRNo Primary treatment
Physic-Chemical treatment after SBR
Manual dealing with shock loadings•Jar test for chemical dosing
optimization
Additional buffer volume
SCADA upgrading••

Nguyen V. A, IESE

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EXAMPLE 2: WASTEWATER EMERGENCY CONTROLFOR THE STEEL INDUSTRYCast iron and steel, 7.5 million tones /year(stage 1)

Nguyen V. A, IESE

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AMS + FISH TOXIMETER: EARLY WARNING SYSTEM

19

Effluent Pond System for Emergency Control

Prof. Dr. Nguyen Viet Anh, IESE, HUCE

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CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS✓Vietnam Water Industry is in the intensive development period:
expansion of service area, improvement of service quality, with different
stakeholders involved. Government policy: PSP is encouraged.
✓Potential market in wastewater management: to combat Hot issues inwastewater collection, treatment of wastewater and sludge, systemefficiency and resource recovery, in urban centers, industrial parks,and at the industries.
✓Cooperation and networking are needed:➢ Sharing information of current situation, future plans, problems,
needs, solutions➢ Bridging to Vietnam’s water industry network and players

Prof. Dr. Nguyen Viet Anh, IESE, HUCE

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CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS• For municipal wastewater treatment:– Low-energy, small footprint technologies for wastewater treatment areneeded.
– Combined sewerage and drainage system: Appropriate technologies for Nremoval for incoming flow with low C/N ratio are needed.
– Storm water management, flood control, including early warning systems andappropriate technical flood remediation measures.
– Sludge management is still open topic.

• For industrial park wastewater management:– Control of incoming flows from industries– Emergency control measures– Technologies for removal of color, heavy metals, resistant organics, etc.
– Sludge treatment technologies for resource recovery + control of risks.

• At industries:– Technologies for wastewater, sludge treatment and recovery of resources– High efficiency, reliable technologies and equipment– Membrane technologies and wastewater reuse

Prof. Dr. Nguyen Viet Anh, IESE, HUCE

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THANK YOU VERY MUCH !

Prof. Dr. Viet-Anh Nguyen
Director, Institute of Environmental Science & Engineering (IESE), Hanoi University of Civil Engineering
Address: IESE, DHXD, 55 Giai phong Rd, HBT. Dist. Hanoi, VIETNAMTel.: +84-24-3869.1604; +84-91320.9689. Fax.: +84-24-38693714. Website: http://www.iese.vn.
Email: anhnv@nuce.edu.vn; vietanhctn@gmail.com.

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