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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[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>

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[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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