The meeting was chaired by Mr. Bui The Duy, Deputy Minister of Science and Technology and Chairman of the Advisory Council.

Meeting of Scientific and Technological Advisory Council on Dams and Reservoirs Safety in Da River Hydropower Cascade takes place on afternoon of August 1 in Hanoi.

At the session, Mr. Nguyen Phu Hung - Standing Member of the Council - presented a summary of the implementation of recommendations from the 2024 meeting. It was noted that Vietnam Electricity (EVN), along with Hoa Binh, Son La, and Huoi Quang - Ban Chat Hydropower Companies, successfully fulfilled their responsibilities in managing and operating the facilities and regulating reservoirs throughout 2024 and into early 2025.

Dr. Nguyen Xuan Anh, Director of the Institute of Geophysics, reported on earthquake monitoring results from April 2024 to May 2025. Mr. Hoang Van Dai, Deputy Director of the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, gave a report on the hydrological situation during the 2024 flood season and the first seven months of 2025, along with forecasts for the remainder of the year.

From EVN, Vice President Ngo Son Hai provided a detailed report on the management and operational status of the Da River cascade hydropower plants as of June 2025.

Based on the evaluation of monitoring data and facility observations from May 2024 to the end of May 2025, along with the inspection results conducted by the survey and inspection delegation of hydropower facilities on the Da River cascade of the Ministry of Science and Technology from June 17 to June 19, 2025, the Council confirmed that EVN’s hydropower plants in the Da River cascade are operating stably and safely, and are ready for water storage and flood control in 2025.

Monitoring equipment remains functional and provides accurate, reliable data. Seismic data has been fully collected and reported, meeting requirements for infrastructure condition assessments. Any structural damage has been promptly controlled, detected, and repaired with guaranteed quality. Sediment accumulation in the main Da River structures is showing a downward trend compared to original design estimates.

Mr. Ngo Son Hai – EVN Vice President - delivers report at meeting

At the meeting, based on the measurement, monitoring, and comprehensive evaluation results up to June 2025, the Council unanimously agreed with EVN’s report, affirming that the Da River hydropower facilities are operating in a safe and stable manner, meeting all conditions to be ready for water storage and flood control in 2025.

Council members and the expert group emphasized the crucial role of the Da River hydropower cascade in ensuring national energy security, water regulation, and disaster prevention. They stressed the need to strengthen hydro-meteorological forecasting further, invest in monitoring stations, and apply scientific technologies and digital transformation in 3D dam safety monitoring.

The Deputy Minister recommended that EVN and the hydropower companies continue researching new monitoring methods, such as using drones, cameras, and radar imagery, while accelerating digital transformation in data integration and management. He also called on relevant ministries, sectors, and local authorities to continue closely coordinating in directing and supporting the safe, efficient, and sustainable operation of the hydropower system in the Da River cascade.

Translator: Thu Hường