Hanoi, the capital city of Vietnam, has been grappling with significant water pollution challenges due to rapid urbanization and industrialization. The recent trial operation of the Yen Xa Wastewater Treatment Plant, the largest in Northern Vietnam, marks a pivotal step towards addressing these environmental concerns.

Overview of wastewater and water pollution situation in Hanoi

Hanoi has suffered from severe pollution attributed to untreated domestic sewage and industrial effluents. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MoRNE) estimated that production, business, and household activities in Hanoi generated about 300,000 tonnes of wastewater in 2022[1], which increased to 400,000 tonnes in 2024[2]. However, the treament capability of the city is limited, leaving a substantial portion discharged untreated into natural water bodies[3]. The wastewater treatment infrastructure for industrial wastes is inadequate with outdated equipment and production technologies, and only 60% of industrial clusters have a centralized water treatment system[4].

A section of To Lich River, one of the most polluted rivers in Hanoi

Source: Journal of Economics and Environment

Such a large volume of domestic wastewater with one-third of it coming from industrial wastewater[5] results in most of the rivers and lakes in Hanoi are polluted with physical, chemical, and domestic waste[6]. The levels of NO2 and NO3 are high, and BOD5 exceeds the permissible limits (PCL) by up to three times, with some lakes near residential areas exceeding the limit by 100 to 200 times[7]. The pollution threatens the livelihood of citizens around these water bodies, with spikes malaria cases, eyesores and other diseases[8]. World Bank reported that such water pollution in Vietnam could resulted in a 3.5% loss of GDP annually[9].

Current water treatment situation in Hanoi

In response to the growing water pollution problem, the city of Hanoi has recognized the need for a more comprehensive wastewater management strategy. Development plan No. 189/KH-UBND in 2013 and Development plan No. 312/KH-UBND in 2021 has gradually built and developed the wastewater collection and treatment system for Hanoi’s metropolitan areas[10] [11]. The plans suceeded in utilizing Japanese ODA loans and local collaboration to put serveral wastewater treatment plants into operation.

Table 1: Domestic wastewater treatment plants in operation in Hanoi

Source: TVPL, B&Company synthesis

However these facilities have not been sufficient to meet the needs of a rapidly growing city. Most of these plants were designed with limited capacity, resulting in the fact that Hanoi’s treatment rate of domestic sewage was only around 30%[12]. To meet the target wastewater treatment rate of 50% to 55% and 100% treatment rate of wastewater from industrial clusters and craft villages by 2025[13], additional wastewater treatment and collection facilities are required. In 2022, the city initiated investment procedures for 4 wastewater treatment projects under the mid-term public investment plan for the 2021-2025 period, using public investment funds, with 3 additional projects in South Tu Liem and Long Bien District utilizing social capital sources[14].

Trial operation of Yen Xa wastewater treatment plant

One of the most significant developments in Hanoi’s wastewater treatment infrastructure is the trial operation of the Yen Xa Wastewater Treatment Plant. The project is expected to play a pivital role in helping Hanoi meet their environmental goals and resolving pollution in To Lich River, Lu River, Set River, and part of the Nhue River[15].

Yen Xa wastewater treatment plant to start trial operation in early December, 2024

Source: Vneconomy

Yen Xa wastewater treatment plant, planned in Development plan No. 189/KH-UBND, was funded by ODA loans from the Japanese Government[16]. The plant was constructed in Thanh Liet Commune, Thanh Tri District, covering an area of 13.8 hectares, with a total investment of over 16,293 billion VND. The project includes the construction of a wastewater treatment plant with a capacity of 270,000 m³/day-night, the construction of a collection sewer system, interceptor sewers, and connecting systems[17]. The construction began in 2016 and was expected to be operational in 2022. However, complication of the Covid-19 pandemic delays the completion progress, and the six-month trial operation began in December 1^st, 2024[18].

The facility utilizes state-of-the-art technologies for wastewater treatment. The Yen Xa Wastewater Treatment Plant is also one of the few plants that uses advanced treatment technologies, meeting European standards and ensuring that the treated wastewater meets Class A standards according to Vietnamese regulations. In addition, the plant has a sludge treatment system that applies the traditional Activated Sludge (AO) process, which is widely used globally in large-scale wastewater treatment plants. One of the unique features of the Yen Xa Wastewater Treatment Plant is its high-load filtration system, which allows the plant to double its capacity during rainfall. Under normal conditions, the plant can process up to 270,000 m³ of wastewater per day and night. However, during heavy rainfall, the plant’s capacity can increase to 480,000 m³ [19].

Potential development of wastewater treatment in Hanoi and opportunities for international collaboration

The trial operation of Yen Xa plant and its future operation create a positive outlook for the wastewater treatment problems faced by Hanoi and the pollution threats for the local people. The trial run of the plant sets to improve Hanoi’swastewater treatment rate to 40%, whilst the official operation is expected to help the city to meet its target rate of 50%[20]. The authorities also set to improve the wastewater gathering and treatment percentage to 70% by 2030 in the Decision No. 1569/QD-TTG signed in 2024[21], which further illustrate the government’s concerns for environmental struggles and commitments towards “green” goals.

The project also highlights optimal usage of foreign aids and expertise and potentials for global partnerships. Hanoi has leveraged Japanese ODA extensively to help with improving the wastewater treatment infrastructure, international collaboration through the build-and-transfer method is also adopted for many major projects in the city (See Table 1). As the government targets for better treatment rate and 9 billion USD is required to build adequate infrastructure[22], international collaboration will be the key for the government to meet the rising generation of wastewater and effluents.

Conclusion

The trial operation of the Yen Xa Wastewater Treatment Plant marks a significant step in Hanoi’s battle against water pollution. With its advanced treatment technologies and large-scale capacity, the facility holds the potential to transform the city’s water quality, reduce the risk of waterborne diseases, and improve the overall health and well-being of the population. The project also marks the city’s strategy to put international supports to good use, and set the city for future partnerships to build a sustainable, environmentally-friendly urban future

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[2] MOC. Hanoi: Emphasizing New Solutions in Wastewater Collection and Treatment <Assess>

[3] Vietnamnews. Technology solutions key to Hà Nội’s wastewater issues <Assess>

[4] MOC. Hanoi: Emphasizing New Solutions in Wastewater Collection and Treatment <Assess>

[5] Government News. Focusing on new solutions in wastewater collection and treatment <Assess>

[6] Legal News. Hanoi ‘solves the problem’ of environmental pollution from wastewater sources <Assess>

[7] MOC. Hanoi: Emphasizing New Solutions in Wastewater Collection and Treatment <Assess>

[8] VOV. People in Hanoi’s outskirts suffering due to polluted water sources, leading to numerous health issues <Assess>

[9] World Bank. Vietnam’s Growth and Success Comes with Challenges for Water Resources <Assess>

[10] TVPL. Development plan No. 189/KH-UBND for Urban Wastewater Collection and Treatment System in Hanoi until 2020 <Assess>

[11] TVPL. Development plan No. 312/KH-UBN for the Urban Drainage and Wastewater Treatment System of Hanoi City for the Period 2021-2025 <Assess>

[12] TVPL. Development plan No. 312/KH-UBN for the Urban Drainage and Wastewater Treatment System of Hanoi City for the Period 2021-2025 <Assess>

[13] TVPL. Resolution No. 20/NQ-HDND on the 5-Year Socio-Economic Development Plan for 2021-2025 <Assess>

[14] Environment & Life Magazine. Hanoi: Implementation of 4 wastewater treatment projects with public investment funds in 2022 <Assess>

[15] Cafef. Overview of the Largest Wastewater Treatment Plant in Northern Vietnam, worth 16,000 Billion VND, helping revive several rivers in Hanoi <Assess>

[16] TVPL. Development plan No. 189/KH-UBND for Urban Wastewater Collection and Treatment System in Hanoi until 2020 <Assess>

[17] Thanhnien. Yen Xa Wastewater Treatment Plant to begin trial operations after 8 years of construction <Assess>

[18] Vietnamplus. Hanoi Begins Trial Operation of Yen Xa Wastewater Treatment Plant, Helping Reduce Environmental Pollution <Assess>

[19] Cafef. Overview of the Largest Wastewater Treatment Plant in Northern Vietnam, worth 16,000 Billion VND, helping revive several rivers in Hanoi <Assess>

[20] Vietnamplus. Hanoi Begins Trial Operation of Yen Xa Wastewater Treatment Plant, Helping Reduce Environmental Pollution <Assess>

[21] TVPL. Decision No. 1569/QD-TTG Approving the Master Plan for Hanoi Capital Development in the 2021-2030 Period, Vision to 2050 <Assess>

[22] Vnexpress. Vietnam needs $9B worth of water infrastructure investment: World Bank  <Assess>

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