Over the past few decades, several river basin organisations (RBOs) have been established in Viet Nam under different government ministries, but their roles were limited to meetings and information sharing without real decision-making authority. As the 2023 Water Resources Law has came into effects, legistrative recognitions for RBOs' responsibilities are clearer; however, proper implementation still requires defining their mandates, organisational structures, and resources to ensure their effective operation.

In line with the newly effective water law, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment – Viet Nam (MonRE) is currently developing a program to establish river basin organisations, outlining their mandates, roles, structures, and operational procedures, which will be presented to the Prime Minister for approval. In support of this effort and building on previous successful collaboration, Australian Water Partnership (AWP) has been asked to support the next phase of implementing Viet Nam’s Law on Water Resources by assisting Department of Water Resources Management (DWRM) with its program to establish river basin organisations.

In response to the these overarching objectives, Alluvium, commissioned by AWP, has performed:
– Co-designing the workplan with DWRM;
– Organising a 1-week study visit to Australia, in collaboration with kay Australian governmental counterparts in the water sector;
– Co-developing an applicable roadmap for the development of RBOs in Viet Nam.