Receiving and working with the delegation were Nguyen Thanh Cong, Vice Chairman of the Son La provincial People’s Committee; leaders of several provincial departments and agencies; and representatives from Vietnam’s Ministry of Agriculture and Environment.

At their working session, the Lao Ministry of Agriculture and Environment and Son La province exchanged information on local water resources management and the operation of hydropower dams on river basins shared by the two countries. The two sides also discussed mechanisms for coordination and information sharing on water resources and hydrometeorology to enhance flood and drought forecasting and early warning, as well as solutions to strengthen cooperation in water resources management.

Son La province briefed the guests on the operation and management of hydropower facilities on the Ma River. These include the Muong Hung Hydropower Plant (24 MW, reservoir capacity of 3.3 million cubic meters), which has been in operation since 2019, and two projects currently under construction - Bo Sinh (24 MW) and Muong Lam (18 MW). On major tributaries such as Nam Cong, Nam Soi, Nam Man, and Nam Hoa, eight hydropower plants are currently in operation. Flood warning coordination and information sharing have been carried out in a timely manner by investors through phone calls, a shared Zalo group, and official written documents.

On the Lao side, following an intersectoral working session between Son La and Houaphanh provinces in April 2023, the two sides agreed on multiple measures, including raising public awareness of water sources protection, handling waste in reservoir areas, and installing downstream warning systems. Hydrometeorological monitoring has been ensured through the Ma River station and the Xa La hydrological station. Flood forecast and warning bulletins have been issued in accordance with regulations and disseminated via email and Zalo to provincial agencies, and are ready for international sharing in compliance with the Law on Hydrometeorology.

Speaking at the meeting, Cong expressed strong agreement with the exchanged contents and emphasised the need to further strengthen information and data sharing on reservoir operations and hydrometeorological forecasts in the Ma River basin. He stressed the importance of enhanced coordination in flood warning and disaster risk reduction, particularly for downstream areas along the border.

Son La province pledges to continue directing relevant agencies and hydropower plant operators to strictly comply with legal regulations and reservoir operation procedures, ensure minimum flow maintenance, and improve the effectiveness of existing coordination and information-sharing mechanisms with competent agencies of Houaphanh province and other relevant localities of Laos.

Deputy Minister Chanthanet Boualapha affirmed that the working visit to Son La province fully met the objectives set by the delegation. He noted that the information and experience shared by Son La would serve as valuable input for advising the Lao Government on developing effective plans for water resources management and hydropower facility operations.