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Municipal Wastewater Vietnam Economic Development and Investment International Cooperation

Vietnam Water and Wastewater Management

Ho Chi Minh City urgently needs a large-scale wastewater treatment facility. A combination of rapid growth, aging infrastructure, and a renewed focus on resilience for critical infrastructure makes the city ripe with opportunities for U.S. companies in the water and wastewater management sectors.

In 2021, the city’s Department of Construction (DOC) put forward the Climate Resilience Urban Services 2 (CRUS2) project aimed at building a state-of-the-art facility west of downtown, but progress on the project stalled. Now, a new proposal would see the city government, led by the Department of Planning and Investment (DPI) and the Department of Planning and Architecture (DPA), re-assess the drainage system proposed under the CRUS2 project and re-evaluate wastewater collection plans in the city’s master plan.  

Currently, Ho Chi Minh City is actively expanding its wastewater treatment infrastructure. The Nhiêu Lộc - Thị Nghè plant, with a capacity of 480,000 cubic meters per day, is set to be completed by 2025, aiming to meet approximately 71% of the city’s current wastewater treatment needs. The DOC has proposed substantially expanding the wastewater treatment facilities, presenting significant opportunities for foreign private sector investment. The plan includes constructing six new plants and upgrading one existing plant, with a projected investment of approximately $1.3 billion.

In addition, some recent projects highlighted the city’s commitment to improving its wastewater treatment system, including the construction of Southeast Asia’s largest wastewater treatment plant in Thu Duc City, which was invested by the Ho Chi Minh City Urban Infrastructure Investment Project Management Board (UCCI). This $524 million project, featuring advanced Moving Bed Biofilm Reactor (MBBR) technology, aims to enhance the city’s wastewater treatment capacity significantly. Once completed, the plant will treat up to 1.1 million cubic meters of wastewater daily, serving approximately 1.8 million residents across eight districts.

The city also aims to shift from treating wastewater to exploring productive uses and resource circularity within the urban system. It requires monitoring systems, advanced technologies, and detailed protocols. Ho Chi Minh City has opportunities to embrace wastewater circularity, and integrated solutions will lead the way forward. Additionally, preventing water pollution caused by agricultural, industrial, and urban activities, notably pollution from chemicals, remains a top concern in Vietnam. The rapid development of industrial parks has led to inadequate attention to wastewater treatment and a need for appropriate equipment and technology. Therefore, implementing advanced wastewater treatment technologies from the U.S. and other developed countries is crucial for developing Vietnam’s water industry.

Opportunities for U.S. companies:

  • Construction and Operation: Foreign companies can seek opportunities to construct and operate new wastewater treatment plants, leveraging their expertise in advanced technologies and efficient management practices.
  • Public-Private Partnerships (PPP): The City’s top priority project, the West Saigon area treatment plant, with an investment of $422 million and a capacity of 680,000 cubic meters per day, is an ideal candidate for PPP models, offering long-term investment opportunities.
  • Technology and Equipment Supply: There is a demand for modern wastewater treatment technologies and equipment, which foreign firms can supply to local utilities and facility operators, potentially establishing a foothold in the rapidly developing Vietnamese market.
  • Consultancy and Engineering Services: Expertise in planning, engineering, and consultancy services will be crucial for the success of these projects, creating a niche for specialized foreign firms.
     

U.S. companies supplying equipment or services that meet the above requirements should contact our office to learn more about these major infrastructure development projects.

For more information, please contact: Nam Tran, Commercial Specialist, U.S. Commercial Service Ho Chi Minh City 
Email: Nam.Tran@trade.gov

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