On May 13, in Ha Nam Province, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment of Vietnam (MAE), in collaboration with Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT), co-organized the 13th Vietnam - Japan Disaster Management Dialogue, themed "Sharing Experiences and Technologies for Landslide and Flash Flood Response."
The dialogue was co-chaired by Mr. Nguyen Truong Son, Deputy Director General of the Department of Dike Management and Disaster Prevention and Control, and Mr. Shin Ishikawa, Minister's Secretary from Japan’s MLIT.
Speaking at the dialogue, Mr. Nguyen Truong Son emphasized that natural disasters are becoming increasingly extreme, with higher frequency and more devastating impacts.
At the event, the leader of Department of Dike Management and Disaster Prevention and Control highlighted that prioritizing investment and raising public awareness in preventing and responding to these types of disasters remains a top priority for the Vietnamese government.
Mr. Nguyen Truong Son speaking at the opening session
In recent years, the Japanese Government—particularly MLIT and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), has supported Vietnam in piloting the SABO dam, the first debris flow control structure in the country. The structure was completed in April 2025 in the Nam Pam stream basin, Muong La District, Son La Province—an area frequently affected by flash floods and landslides. This project serves as a meaningful symbol of effective cooperation and the sincere support of the Japanese Government and people to Vietnam, especially for communities vulnerable to natural disasters.
However, the Vietnamese side noted that this is just a small-scale, stand-alone pilot structure and may not be fully effective unless a synchronized SABO dam system is developed across the Nam Pam river basin as a model for Vietnam. “We hope the Government of Japan, MLIT, and JICA will continue supporting Vietnam in completing this pilot model, providing a foundation for scaling up SABO dam investments in other high-risk areas,” Mr. Son proposed.
Mr. Shin Ishikawa, Minister’s Secretary of MLIT, stated that the 13th Vietnam - Japan Disaster Management Dialogue is held annually under the bilateral agreement signed by the Ministers of the two countries. The 12th dialogue took place in November 2024. This year’s event focuses on the timely and specific topic of “landslide prevention measures” under the framework of enhanced disaster management cooperation. He expressed his belief that the exchange would be highly meaningful and important.
Mr. Shin Ishikawa speaking at the dialogue
During the dialogue, representatives from the Disaster Response and Recovery Division of DMDP presented an overview of regions in Vietnam frequently impacted by landslides and flash floods, as well as scientific and technological solutions currently implemented. They also proposed strengthening forecasting capacity and early warning systems, particularly for short-duration extreme rainfall; and developing detailed flash flood and landslide hazard zoning maps down to village level to support planning, resettlement, and emergency response.
Between 2015 and 2024, in the northern mountainous and central regions of Vietnam, flash floods and landslides caused an average of 79 deaths and missing persons annually, making them a leading cause of disaster-related fatalities. “The primary causes include steep mountainous terrain, complex geology, dense river systems, and extreme short-term rainfall,” analyzed Ms. Dang Thi Huong, Deputy Head of the Disaster Response Division.
Numerous Japanese companies also participated in the dialogue, sharing knowledge, tools, and scientific-technological solutions for landslide and flash flood mitigation.
Experts emphasized the need for Vietnam to increase investment in protective infrastructure, including early warning systems at high-risk sites, densely populated areas, and critical infrastructure. It is also necessary to regulate construction planning in hazard-prone areas and organize resettlement along with livelihood support for people living in these high-risk zones.
At the event, Mr. Takao Yamakoshi from MLIT introduced Japan’s early warning systems, risk mapping, and community awareness programs for sediment-related disasters.
Mr. Takao Yamakoshi presenting at the dialogue
Thuyloi University sent a team of experts to participate in the dialogue.
Mr. Le Quang Tuan, Deputy Head of the Department of Science, Technology, and International Cooperation at Thuyloi University, shared insights into the university’s relevant research activities, particularly in expanding international collaboration through the SATREPS (Science and Technology Research Partnership for Sustainable Development) project funded by JST and JICA.
He also suggested that Japan share information on mechanisms to ensure the sustained operation of early warning systems and disaster prevention infrastructure developed through ODA projects and transferred research, as well as how to maintain the functionality of SABO dams after debris accumulation. In addition, he proposed training programs to build a competent workforce capable of operating these systems and providing timely community alerts.
As of 2025, Vietnam’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development—now the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment—has cooperated with Japan’s MLIT for 13 consecutive years, organizing various dialogues and workshops to share experience in disaster management. Both sides regularly dispatch high-level delegations to visit and collaborate, jointly developing important technical cooperation projects to reduce disaster risks for the community.