HCM City to build more reservoirs to store rainwater, control floods

Ho Chi Minh City plans to spend hundreds of billions of VND on building more than 100 reservoirs to store rainwater and control flooding by 2020 under a flood-control programme.
A reservoir on Hoang Van Thu Street in HCM City’s Tan Binh district. (Photo: VNS)

A reservoir on Hoang Van Thu Street in HCM City’s Tan Binh district. (Photo: VNS)

However, many existing reservoirs are yet to be connected with each other for the flood-control programme. The reservoirs, which will have pump and culvert systems, will collect rainwater.

The biggest, with a capacity of 20,000cu.m, will be built at the Go Vap Flower Village, while the second largest, measuring around 5,000cu.m, will be at Hoang Van Thu Park in Tan Binh district. The others will be smaller, with a capacity of 1,500-2,000cu.m each.

Tan Binh district currently has a big reservoir but its water level has never reached its full capacity.

According to an expert from the HCM City Urban Drainage Co. Ltd., the Hoang Van Thu Reservoir has a capacity of more than 35,000cu.m of water.

Experts from the HCM City Urban Drainage Co. Ltd. suggested that the reservoir should be connected with the city’s sullage pits so that rainwater could be drained into the reservoir to reduce flooding, but the proposal was shot down.

The Hoang Van Thu Reservoir has yet to be used to regulate rainwater and combat flooding around Tan Son Nhat International Airport, an expert said.

Many other reservoirs in inner districts too are not connected with the reservoir network for flood control, including those at Le Thi Rieng Park in District 10, Dam Sen Tourism Park in District 11, Phu Lam Park in District 6, Van Thanh in Binh Thanh District, Song Tan and Huong Tram in District 7, and Ky Hoa in District 10.

According to figures from the HCM City Urban Drainage Co. Ltd., the Hoang Van Thu and Van Thanh reservoirs have a combined capacity of over 40,000cu.m, while Ky Hoa can hold over 6,400cu.m of water.

Experts from the HCM City Urban Drainage Co. Ltd. said these reservoirs could help prevent flooding but have not been connected with the drainage network or used for flood prevention.

The managers of many of the reservoirs do not allow them to be connected with drainage networks in inner districts because the drains carry both rainwater and wastewater, which could pollute them.

They said the reservoirs were built to enhance the city’s looks rather than for regulating rainwater or controlling floods.

Wastewater treatment and separating rainwater from wastewater is the job of other agencies, they added.

VNS/VNA

Other News

Hanoi to provide free textbooks from 2026–2027 school year

Hanoi to provide free textbooks from 2026–2027 school year

The municipal Department of Education and Training will work with the Department of Finance to guide wards, communes and educational institutions in implementing the student support policies adopted by central authorities and the municipal People’s Council.

Vietnamese students shine at AIMO 2026 international finals

Vietnamese students shine at AIMO 2026 international finals

The Vietnamese team won one Champion title, four First Runner-up awards, three Second Runner-up awards, 42 gold medals, 83 silver medals, 70 bronze medals and two consolation prizes at the 2026 International Finals of the Asia International Mathematical Olympiad Open Contest (AIMO) held in Hanoi on August 2-5.

Politburo's Resolution 57-NQ/TW powers new growth momentum

Politburo's Resolution 57-NQ/TW powers new growth momentum

NSO Director Nguyen Thi Huong said alongside foreign investment and the green economy, science – technology, innovation, the digital economy and digital transformation are the new drivers that can can pack a serious second-half punch.

Vietnam’s poverty reduction miracle: A journey for the people

Vietnam’s poverty reduction miracle: A journey for the people

From a country where more than 50% of the population lived below the poverty line in the early 1990s, Vietnam has reduced its poverty rate to just 2.95% today. This achievement reflects not only the effectiveness of socio-economic development policies, but also Vietnam’s ability to translate growth into tangible opportunities for its people, steadily realizing inclusive development and ensuring that no one is left behind.

Can Tho boosts Vietnamese language support for ethnic minority children

Can Tho boosts Vietnamese language support for ethnic minority children

Backed by more than 4.2 billion VND (161,000 USD) from the State budget, the programme aims to strengthen children's Vietnamese communication skills before they begin primary school, helping them integrate more smoothly into the classroom and improve learning outcomes from the outset.

Powering growth: Ensuring reliable energy supply to keep investment flowing

Powering growth: Ensuring reliable energy supply to keep investment flowing

Across Ha Tinh and Nghe An, maintenance teams conduct inspections day and night, using thermal cameras and drones to detect potential faults without interrupting electricity supply. Their work helps ensure stable power supply for businesses as the region accelerates development in line with the Government's economic growth targets.

One Vietnamese worker killed in Japan earthquake

One Vietnamese worker killed in Japan earthquake

The Embassy of Vietnam in Japan and its labour management board are actively implementing citizen protection measures and maintaining close contact with relevant organisations and companies employing Vietnamese workers in the affected areas to monitor the situation.

Hanoi to support low-income residents in replacing high-emission motorbikes

Hanoi to support low-income residents in replacing high-emission motorbikes

A key task is to formulate a support scheme for low-income residents to replace ageing motorcycles and mopeds that fail to meet emission standards and pose a high risk of pollution. It will also propose funding to provide free first-time emission testing for motorcycles and mopeds across the city.

UNESCO endorses vision for restoring Thang Long Imperial Citadel's central axis

UNESCO endorses vision for restoring Thang Long Imperial Citadel's central axis

The committee commended Vietnam for fulfilling the commitments it has made since the citadel was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2010, as well as for implementing recommendations from the committee and its advisory bodies. It also praised the country's efforts to preserve the site's cultural, historical and social values, transforming the imperial citadel into a space for public engagement, cultural exchange and historical education. The committee further welcomed the long-term vision as an important basis for the proposed restoration of Kinh Thien Palace in line with the approved conservation strategy.

Border guards seize 15,200 drug pills, heroin in major trafficking bust

Border guards seize 15,200 drug pills, heroin in major trafficking bust

At about 10:15 pm on July 20, officers from the Operations Division of the Nghe An Border Guard Command and the Nam Can International Border Gate Border Guard Station, in coordination with customs officers at the Nam Can International Border Gate, caught a resident of Tan Tien hamlet, Chieu Luu commune, Nghe An province, allegedly transporting narcotics in Tien Tieu hamlet, Nam Can commune.