Vietnam is experiencing a significant water crisis, severely affecting agriculture and public health. As of September 25, 2024, hundreds of thousands of hectares of rice and fruit crops have been heavily damaged due to water scarcity, leading many farmers and businesses to halt or reduce production.
Despite being endowed with a dense river system and an average annual rainfall of approximately 1,940-1,960 mm, Vietnam's water resources are critically dependent on external sources. Approximately 63% of the country's surface water comes from transboundary rivers, making it vulnerable to fluctuations in water availability.
Currently, Vietnam extracts and uses 80.6 billion cubic meters of water annually, which is just 10% of the total available. Over 80% of this water is utilized for agriculture, but the irrigation systems only adequately supply water to 4.2 out of 11 million hectares of cultivated land. Alarmingly, 20% of the population lacks access to clean water, and 17.2 million people still rely on unsafe water sources.
The water resources are further threatened by climate change, rising sea levels, and environmental degradation, leading to prolonged droughts in provinces like Ninh Thuận and Bình Thuận. The situation has resulted in significant agricultural losses and health risks, with an estimated 9,000 deaths and 200,000 cancer cases annually linked to unsafe water usage.
In response to these challenges, Informa Markets Vietnam is organizing the Vietwater International Water Industry Exhibition and WETV 2024, scheduled for November 6-8, 2024, in Ho Chi Minh City. This event will gather over 450 leading technology companies from more than 25 countries, showcasing advanced solutions and fostering discussions on sustainable water management and environmental protection.
The exhibition aims to serve as a platform for businesses, governments, and international organizations to exchange ideas and technologies, ultimately contributing to the sustainable development of Vietnam's water sector.