MARD has approved a proposal by Hanoi authorities to adjust the detailed anti-flood plans for river sections with dykes in the city. It has also allowed construction on 20 riverbanks.

Of these, the total area for construction must not be larger than 61.2 hectares on the Tam Xa-Xuan Canh riverbank or 48.74 hectares on Long Bien-Cu Khoi. On the other 18 river banks, the area allowed is 176.65 hectares.

Hanoi authorities believe that the construction density of 5-10 percent on river banks will not cause the flood level to rise, which means the dyke system will be safe.

Hanoi also wants to build six transport roads to improve traffic capacity. However, MARD replied that Hanoi needs to report about this to the Prime Minister for consideration.

Vu Trong Hong, chair of the Vietnam Irrigation Association, former deputy minister of MARD, thinks Hanoi should not take a risk to build houses and set roads on riverbanks.

MARD believes that the construction on river banks won’t cause floods, but this has not been examined by other agencies. It is also necessary to consult with other provinces in the Red River Delta, including Hung Yen, Ha Nam, Nam Dinh, Thai Binh and Vinh Phuc.

If Hanoi builds houses on riverbanks, the flood drainage space will be reduced. If so, it will raise the water level upstream and narrow the flow downstream, causing erosion. 

Red River belongs to the entire Red River Delta. In principle, MARD is in charge of preventing natural calamities and controlling floods. However, the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment (MONRE) has to take responsibility if the stream  narrows and the lower course lacks water.

MONRE has reported that the lower course of Red River seriously lacks water, with the water level sometimes dropping to 10 cm.

Hong believes that MARD needs to consult with MONRE about construction on 20 riverbanks, and the other provinces in the Red River Delta as well.

In related news, Hanoi is considering lowering level of dyke. Some analysts think that the water level on the Red River has always been low for many years because of a lot of hydropower plants built in the upper course. Therefore, flooding is no longer a threat to Hanoi.

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Mai Thanh