"Ministry urged to assess impact of Mekong River damming", 8 March 2015

Deputy Prime Minister...has told the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment to assess impact of hydropower damming in the mainstream Mekong River on residents in the downstream. The ministry said...that it has invited representatives of Laos and Cambodia, and international organizations and experts to jointly prepare a study on impact of hydropower projects. The study will comprise of a comprehensive database about geological conditions of the river and the Mekong Delta region, with a focus on water currents, biodiversity, water quality, water transport and socio-economic issues. The study is expected to create a consensus about the evaluation results of the hydropower projects on the mainstream Mekong River and contain measures to minimize the impact of those projects. Minister of Natural Resources and Environment...said the study would enable Vietnam to better deal with challenges for the Mekong Delta region, especially water resource security and climate change.