Institutional arrangements and policy reform for national water security: International experiences and lesson learnt for Vietnam

Abstract

    Water security plays a key factor for sustainable development for every countries. Numerous countries all over the world have been undertaking institutional arrangements and policy reform in water sector for national water security. Vietnam has made substantial effort in national water governance but certain shortcomings and limitations are remained. Therefore, it is necessary to review international experiences in institutional arrangement and policy reform to get lessons learned for Vietnam in national water governance. This paper analyzes institutional and policy aspects for national water security of 12 selected countries based on the following criteria: (i) national water stress index; (ii) current status of institutional and policy on water sector, and (iii) spatial/continental difference. The results illustrate that for water security assurance, it is required to have an effective legal framework and firm organizational system as well as sound policies on investment, finance and management in water sector. These would be valuable lessons for Vietnam in national water governance.