In the context of increasing industrialization and modernization, Vietnam is committed to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), prioritizing the protection of water resources and the environment, particularly wastewater treatment, which has become a significant challenge. According to statistics, the proportion of industrial zones (IZs) and export processing zones (EPZs) in operation with wastewater treatment plants meeting environmental standards reached 92% in 2023, an increase of 29% compared to 2015 (when the rate was only 63%). Since 2020, this proportion has continued to rise, from 89% in 2020 to 91% in 2021, and further to 92% in 2023. This growth is attributed to the Vietnamese government’s issuance of various legal documents and environmental regulations during this period, requiring industrial zones to have centralized wastewater treatment systems meeting standards before commencing operations.

Figure 1. Centralized wastewater treatment plant system meets environmental standards

However, the efficiency of wastewater treatment and compliance with environmental standards remain inadequate. Many factories only perform preliminary wastewater treatment before discharging it directly into the environment, causing severe pollution to rivers such as the To Lich, Nhue, and Day Rivers. Furthermore, in many provinces, the proportion of industrial zones (IZs) and export processing zones (EPZs) in operation with wastewater treatment plants meeting national standards remains low. Many industrial zones still lack centralized wastewater treatment systems that meet environmental standards.

Figure 1. The number of industrial parks and export processing zones of some provinces and cities that have been put into operation has the fewest centralized wastewater treatment plants that meet the most standards

These provinces primarily focus on industrial development but lack corresponding investments in centralized wastewater treatment infrastructure to match the rapid increase in the number of industrial zones. For instance, provinces like Lào Cai and Thái Nguyên prioritize mineral exploitation, while Thừa Thiên Huế and Quảng Bình focus on agriculture and tourism, leading to wastewater treatment systems receiving lower investment priority. Additionally, due to limited local budgets and technical capabilities, many industrial zones have yet to construct wastewater treatment systems that meet national standards. This has caused pollution in rivers and canals in these areas, affecting ecosystems and residents’ lives. According to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment’s inspection results, many provinces and cities have not prioritized environmental pollution prevention. This is evidenced by 33% failing to establish or delaying the approval of environmental protection plans, 17% not planning environmental monitoring networks, and 33% not investigating the total hazardous waste generated. Notably, 37% of inspected organizations and individuals were found in violation, with most failing to meet environmental protection commitments (68%), improperly managing solid and hazardous waste (12%), or discharging wastewater exceeding standards (5%).

Although water supply and waste treatment activities have received more attention in recent years, they have not kept pace with the rate of urbanization and population growth. Major cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, with their expanding urban areas, continually face air and water pollution, raising alarms for the government and community. This is reflected in the fact that in 2015, only 5.3% of urban areas had wastewater treatment facilities meeting national standards, highlighting the inadequacy of urban wastewater infrastructure. This means that most wastewater in urban areas remains untreated, posing significant risks of water pollution and environmental degradation. Severely polluted rivers like the To Lich and Kim Nguu rivers serve as examples of this critical issue. While the proportion improved to 7.4% by 2017 (a 2.1% increase), it remains far below the actual need for wastewater treatment in large urban areas. These cities face rapidly increasing amounts of domestic and industrial wastewater due to urbanization.

Lessons from Denmark: Sustainable Development in Wastewater Treatment

Denmark is a global leader in wastewater treatment and environmental protection. By 2022, 95.7% of wastewater in Denmark was fully treated using biological processes, demonstrating its strong commitment to ensuring water quality post-treatment. Annually, around 600-800 million cubic meters of wastewater are treated at over 700 plants nationwide, showcasing Denmark’s large-scale wastewater treatment capacity for both its population and industrial zones. Notably, 90% of nitrogen and phosphorus in wastewater is removed before discharge, significantly reducing environmental impact. Half of Denmark’s total wastewater is treated in just 31 centralized wastewater treatment plants. This centralization optimizes treatment efficiency, reduces operational and maintenance costs, and facilitates the adoption of advanced technologies, such as energy recovery and phosphorus recycling. Danish wastewater treatment plants not only purify water but also produce bioenergy from the decomposition of organic matter in wastewater. Some facilities generate electricity and heat from biogas, contributing to their energy self-sufficiency, minimizing environmental impact, and saving costs. A progressive policy in Denmark is the application of the “polluter pays” principle, implemented through wastewater discharge taxes. Facilities must pay taxes based on the quantity of discharged pollutants, including organic matter (BOD), phosphorus, and nitrogen. This policy encourages businesses to invest in modern treatment technologies and reduces environmental pollution. Denmark also employs cutting-edge technologies in wastewater treatment, such as membrane filtration, advanced biological treatment, and water reuse technologies. These advancements improve treated wastewater quality and mitigate negative impacts on aquatic ecosystems.

Additionally, Denmark’s high public awareness of environmental protection is the result of educational campaigns and strict enforcement of environmental laws. This model serves as a valuable lesson for Vietnam in promoting investment in wastewater treatment infrastructure and fostering community consciousness.

Recommendations and Solutions

Drawing from Denmark’s experience in wastewater management and treatment, Vietnam can adopt various effective solutions to improve wastewater quality and achieve sustainable environmental development:

1. Implement the “Polluter Pays” Principle

Vietnam can adopt discharge taxation policies similar to Denmark, requiring businesses and industrial zones to pay fees based on pollution levels (BOD, phosphorus, nitrogen). This would not only motivate businesses to improve wastewater treatment efficiency but also reduce pressure on state budgets.

2. Increase Investment in Modern Wastewater Treatment Technologies

Vietnam can learn from Denmark by applying advanced technologies such as membrane filtration, biological treatment, and wastewater reuse systems. Additionally, research and development efforts should focus on technologies tailored to the specific conditions of different regions (e.g., compact wastewater treatment systems for small residential areas).

3. Centralize and Optimize Wastewater Treatment Systems

Enhancing and expanding centralized wastewater treatment plants, particularly in high-density urban areas and industrial zones like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, will reduce operational costs, improve treatment efficiency, and simplify wastewater quality management.

4. Strengthen Legal Frameworks and Policies for Wastewater Treatment

Vietnam needs to establish a robust legal framework and stricter policies for wastewater treatment. Clear regulations on wastewater quality, monitoring, and violation handling must be enforced effectively. Policies should also incentivize investment in new technologies and the development of wastewater treatment systems in industrial zones.

5. Promote Research and Adoption of Wastewater Reuse Solutions

Vietnam can adopt Denmark’s approach to developing solutions for reusing treated wastewater for purposes such as irrigation, industrial water supply, or recycling in production processes.

6. Enhance Community Education and Environmental Awareness

Expand public communication and education campaigns on the importance of wastewater treatment and water resource protection. Simultaneously, businesses and industrial zones should be supported and encouraged to implement effective environmental protection measures.


The status of wastewater treatment and environmental protection in Vietnam and lessons from Denmark

In the context of increasing industrialization and modernization, Vietnam is committed to implementing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), in which protecting water resources and the environment is a top priority, especially wastewater treatment, which has become a major challenge. (14/01/2025)

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