Hydropower development in Vietnam: Challenges and opportunities

Vietnam has a significant conventional hydropower potential, attributable to its mountainous topography and dense river network, comprising approximately 3450 river systems and a total theoretical installed capacity of around 35 000 MW, particularly concentrated in the northern regions of the country. Hydropower continues to play a critical role in the country’s energy security, providing dispatchable baseload electricity and system flexibility. Large reservoir-based projects also deliver significant co-benefits, including flood mitigation, irrigation support, and the sustenance of downstream livelihoods. This paper looks at some of the challenges ahead, as well as the legal framework and key regulations relevant to future development opportunities in the country.