Impacts of water stress on Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Case study: Binh Thanh District, Ho Chi Minh City

Vietnam is a country ranking the 12th most populous country in the world. Ho Chi Minh City is a large city with a high rate of urbanization and rapid growth of population. The population is more and more concentrated in this city, and increases the demand for high water use. Most of people in the city are provided by piped water with safe quality. However, in some areas, with lack of clean water, people have to buy water from tankers carrying water or they have to use their own wells without any guarantee for the water quality. Based on the results of the survey questionnaire and findings from in-depth interviews, the thesis describes the actual water supply situation particularly in Binh Thanh District, and generally in Ho Chi Minh City. Then, it points out the main causes of the water stress situation. It clarifies further, that the impacts of water stress depend on three sustainable development factors: economy, environment and social stability. The thesis concludes that the water reuse and the use of rainwater are alternative resources for the water supply sector in Ho Chi Minh City in the future. Finally, some recommendations to reach a more efficient and sustainable water supply governance are illustrated