Viet Nam and Lao PDR transboundary river project takes steps to close data gaps

One of the challenges covered during the meeting was that data gaps are not merely a technical issue, but more fundamentally an institutional one. Both countries face challenges such as lack of standardization, the absence of formal data-sharing mechanisms and ineffective legal frameworks. Without reliable and accessible shared data, even the most robust technical analyses cannot support decision-making and actions. This highlights that technical barriers often reflect institutional and political constraints and therefore require clear legal frameworks and cooperation between the two countries. 

To address this bottleneck, participants agreed on a two-phase approach: first, establishing an institutional foundation, including a shared data platform, standardised data-sharing protocols, and a supporting legal framework; then expanding cooperation through training, academic exchange and long-term capacity development. The Deputy Director General of Viet Nam’s Department of Water Resources Management (DWRM), Ngo Manh Ha, emphasized that the cross-border data-sharing system must be prioritized for early implementation, expected during 2026–2027, in order to deliver tangible results. 

The meeting also highlighted the significant gap between technical analysis and policy implementation (the ‘science-policy gap’). The project applies the Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis (TDA) approach, and while this process is providing a solid scientific foundation, translating these findings into concrete policies and actions remains challenging due to limited institutional capacity, unclear mandates, and insufficient inter-agency coordination. The discussion underscored that knowledge alone is insufficient to drive action. Bridging this gap requires sustained engagement between technical experts and decision-makers, stronger policy alignment, clearer institutional responsibilities, and more effective mechanisms to translate scientific findings into policies, investments and management actions. 

Both Viet Nam and Lao PDR are advancing in water management policy reforms. Viet Nam’s 2023 Law on Water Resources highlights a strong focus on water security and economic valuation, while Lao PDR continues to strengthen basin-based water governance. The long-standing trust and cooperation between the two countries provides a strong foundation for deeper cooperation. However, translating this commitment into effective transboundary water management will require institutional and technical systems that enable sustained collaboration and joint decision-making. Group discussions identified several practical measures to strengthen transboundary water cooperation, including formalizing collaboration through legal and institutional agreements, establishing shared data platforms, standardizing processes, and strengthening capacity. Participants also recommended a phased approach to building joint monitoring systems and enhancing community awareness to support long-term cooperation. 

Mr. Chau Tran Vinh, Director General of DWRM/MAE, discussed at the meeting © DWRM/MAE

The third important highlight from the meeting was the role of gender in water governance. It is not only an issue of equity but also one that undermines the effectiveness and sustainability of water management solutions. Participants proposed maintaining the targets set out in the project document, including ensuring that at least 50 percent of participants in training and capacity-building activities are women. Additionally, community awareness and capacity building should promote women's participation as active contributors to water resources management decisions in both basins. 

Concluding the meeting, stakeholders emphasized the importance of accelerating implementation through a set of clear priorities, which includes finalizing the TDA, developing the Strategic Action Programme (SAP), establishing cross-border data-sharing platforms, implementing pilot initiatives, leveraging technologies such as remote sensing and AI, and strengthening institutional capacity. By 2026–2027, the project aims to deliver outputs that include joint monitoring systems and coordinated operational procedures that enhance transboundary water management and governance between the two countries. 

Funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), the Ma-Ca project is implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in partnership with the Governments of Lao PDR and Viet Nam that are represented respectively by the Department of Water Resources, Ministry of Agriculture and Environment of Lao PDR, and the Department of Water Resources Management, Ministry of Agriculture and Environment of Viet Nam. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) is the executing agency.  

The project focuses on shared river basins between the two countries, where millions of people depend on water resources that are increasingly under pressure from climate change, hydropower development, agricultural expansion, and forest degradation. Through the application of the Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis/Strategic Action Programme (TDA/SAP) approach, the project aims to build a robust scientific foundation for long-term cooperative governance. This approach is particularly important in the context of growing pressures on water resources and ecosystems, which underscore the urgent need to strengthen transboundary cooperation between the two countries.