A very dynamic economy in the developing and threshold countries of Asia imposes a strong pressure to implement IWRM within a very short time period. The introduction of an orderly IWRM and the prompt step-by-step reduction of impediments are an urgent task for those countries in order to implement a systematic water resources management. International guidelines highlight the aspect of IWRM as a process and furthermore the task of initiating the process. Suitable approaches and instruments have to be developed in order to cope with both tasks.

The aim of the joint research project “IWRM Vietnam” was the development of an IWRM concept that renders possible the integrated examination and analysis of the situation of the water management framework (water resources, water demand, water and land use) on river basin level and to derive action proposals for IWRM measures.

Important Results
The joint research project developed a planning level concept and Planning and Decision Support Tools for IWRM in Vietnam, in close cooperation with Vietnamese partners (MONRE-DWRM, provincial authorities) and considering Vietnamese legal requirements:
– International level: International scientific discussions, exchange of international experiences, guidelines for IWRM (e.g. Global Water Partnership);
– National level: Identification of river basins with higher problem intensities and higher priority for IWRM measures by the Vietnamese government, legislation, technical and water quality standards, implementation of river basin organizations (RBOs) etc.;
– River basin level: Identification of Water Management Units (WMUs) with higher problem intensities (hot spots) and higher priority for IWRM measures;
– Water Management Unit (WMU) level: Identification of locations for IWRM measures through spatially and scientifically detailed investigations;
– Local level: Object planning and implementation of IWRM measures at identified locations.