Within the framework of the project "Red-Thai Binh River Basin Hydraulic Work Plan in the period of 2022 - 2030 with a vision to 2050" (hereinafter referred to as the Plan), the IWRP conducted a field trip on May 31, 2023 along the Red River to assess the status and collect necessary data for the development of the Plan. The survey team led by Mr. Do Van Thanh, Director General of the Institute was also joined by representatives of the Department of Hydraulic Works, the Vietnam Commission on Irrigation and Drainage and subordinate units of the Institute.

The Plan set its objectives to research and propose solutions for hydraulic work development for integrated use and sustainable development of the Red - Thai Binh river basin water resources, taking into account the impacts of climate change, sea level rise, upstream development. Its ultimate purpose is to serve multiple sectors (agricultural production, fisheries, domestic water supply, industry and other socio-economic sectors).

The mission surveyed the status of upstream hydraulic works along the Red River such as Xuan Quan and Lien Mac sluices, Dan Hoai, Thanh Diem and Ap Bac pumping stations, etc. to assess the water abstraction capacity, the advantages and difficulties of the proposed options/solutions. The mission focused on surveying potential locations for the construction of weirs on the Red River (downstream of Xuan Quan sluice), on Duong River (downstream of Long Tuu sluice) as a basis for calculation and selection of quantity, location and scale of the weirs project suggested in the Plan.

The mission also inspected the situation of Red river bank erosion and navigation transport activities in the rivers in order to propose appropriate structural solutions. The status of sewage systems on the rivers was also examined to take into environmental issues when proposing the potential weirs.

The problem of Red River water level lowering has taken place strongly in the past 10 years, affecting the operation of irrigation works along the Red River. According to the status of river flow, water level, operation of irrigation works and river-based economic development activities, it is very important to the Plan to thoroughly consider different solutions to cope with the situation of lowering water levels, especially for the mainstream hydraulic works.

Some images taken during the mission

Lien Mac sluice

An urban sewage outlet

Economic activities on the Red River