Due to climate change, the historical and touristic city of Dien Bien in Northwest Vietnam is more exposed to flooding from the Nam Rom River. AFD and the European Union are supporting the city to enhance the flood risk management capacity in order to adapt to climate change.

A fruitful workshop

On February 21-23, 2022, a workshop has been held to launch the multi-disaster management project in the Nam Rom river basin, Dien Bien province, which is financed with a EUR 24.65 million loan from AFD for infrastructure development and a EUR 1.5 million grant from the European Union through WARM facility for technical assistance.

Madam Cécile Vigneau, First Counselor of the French Embassy in Vietnam, gives remarks at the workshop

This event brought together the main stakeholders of the project: the EU delegation, a French delegation consisting of AFD and the French Embassy, but also provincial officials from the Provincial People's Committee, Dien Bien Phu City People's Committee and relevant departments. The delegation visited the project site and discussed technical issues of project management. 

Giving remarks at the event, madam Cécile Vigneau, First Counselor of the French Embassy in Vietnam, said: “I am delighted to have joined this delegation today. Europe is the main donor in Vietnam for climate change resilience and adaptation and this is clear evidence of Team Europe working and strengthening together.”

She shared that the project was signed during Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s official visit to France in November 2021. Thus, this is a project that is completely in line with the orientation of bilateral cooperation between France and Vietnam. The project is a symbol of partnership and especially with Dien Bien province.

Mr. Oliver-Cruz Ignacio, Attaché for Cooperation and Development, EU Delegation shared to the media at the sideline of the workshop: “Supporting climate change adaptation and resilience is part of the EU strategy in Vietnam. The project, combining loan and grant, but also technical and non-technical components, will contribute to building a better life for people along Nam Rom river and for Dien Bien citizens in general.”  

Mr. Hervé Conan, AFD Director in Vietnam shared: “With the contribution from the WARM fund, we hope to make a significant contribution to climate change adaptation and policy in Vietnam. We trust that the coordination of the province and the departments will make this project a success”.

Improving resilience

This joint project will contribute to improving the adaptation capacity to climate change of Dien Bien province, in particular to face Nam Rom river flooding, by reducing the riverbank erosion and urban flooding. It is expected to improve the livelihood of the riverine population along the Nam Rom.

Nam Rom River is not only serving the life and production of people in the Dien Bien basin. The river also has a special meaning associated with the history of formation and development of Dien Bien province. However, in the face of rapid and unpredictable changes in weather and climate in recent years, the Nam Rom river has been significantly affected by natural disasters such as floods, flash floods, droughts, and tube floods. 

Therefore, investing in the Nam Rom River Basin Multi-Disaster Management project is important to protect people's production, adapt to climate change and develop local socio-economics, Mr. Pham Duc Toan, Standing Vice Chairman of Dien Bien Provincial People's Committee, said at the workshop.

When the project is completed, it will minimize damage caused by water-related disasters in order to protect the safety of about 40,000 people in wards and communes of Dien Bien Phu city, Dien Bien district; at the same time increase flood drainage capacity, reduce flooding for about 150 km2 of Dien Bien basin area, protect environmental landscape and develop urban infrastructure.

Mr. Hervé Conan, AFD Director in Vietnam shares in a project technical discussion session

To this end, hydraulic works will be constructed and operated along the Nam Rom River (rehabilitation of the riverbank, weirs). Beyond the construction of hard infrastructures, the project will assist Dien Bien Phu city in adopting nature-based approaches with ecofriendly engineering techniques and the development of spaces with more room for the river during high flooding periods.

The project in Dien Bien is among 9 projects in 9 provinces under the WARM Facility implemented by AFD and funded by the EU. WARM Facility supports the preparation and implementation of strategic infrastructure investment projects in the areas of water and natural resources management in response to key local challenges such as flooding and coastal erosion, exacerbated by climate change. Experience gained from these projects will contribute to the policy dialogue on climate, environment and natural resource management. In this framework, the EU has allocated a 20 million euros grant to AFD. This facility is the first of its kind to be implemented by AFD in Vietnam. The innovative programmatic approach allows for greater efficiency and project quality, serving programming that is aligned with the priorities of the Vietnamese government and AFD. In coordination with Vietnamese central and local authorities, AFD will mobilize the WARM Facility to prepare and implement investment projects co-financed by AFD loans and Vietnam's own resources over the period 2021-2029 for an estimated total amount of 200 million euros.

Mr. Le Xuan Canh (right), Director of Provincial Project Management Unit,  leads the delegation in a project site visit

Up to now, the project management board of agricultural and rural development projects in Dien Bien province has made efforts to coordinate with related units to complete the topographic and geological survey, and is currently finalizing the design and finalize the environmental impact assessment report and submit it to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment for approval./.