Many rivers in Hanoi have faced serious pollution for years; however, local authorities have failed to revive them.

Hanoi's lakes are contaminated with animal fats. To Lich, Kim Nguu, Lu and Set rivers and 13 other lakes in the city are polluted with grease, up to 2.5mg per litre, higher than the national standard.  

 VietNamNet Bridge – The Tien and Hau rivers in the Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta have become deeper in recent years instead of having silt build-up like in years past, experts have said.

 VietNamNet Bridge – A technology solution developed by Ba Ria-Vung Tau Urban Sewerage and Development Ltd Company (BUSADCO) to develop prefabricated barriers to protect river banks and sea dykes has been honored.

VietNamNet Bridge - Rivers have been overexploited, causing tremendous pressure on the livelihoods and water sources of the communities living on the riverbanks.

 VietNamNet Bridge – Despite HCM City authorities' best efforts to speed up projects to prevent erosion of land along rivers and canals, it continues to progress at a snail's pace due to delays in site clearance and shortage of funds.

VietNamNet Bridge - Many large rivers in the central region have been compromised by illegal sand exploitation but the local authorities cannot stop the practice.

The water level of the Thach Nham barrage, the biggest irrigation work of Quang Ngai province has dropped to the deepest low, because the water has been taken away by the Dakdrink hydropower plant, which is going to operate soon.

“I can call up the names of a lot of rivers which have been broken by hydropower dams, but I cannot remember any virgin rivers--the ones which have not been conquered by humans,” said Dr. Dao Trong Tu, a well- known scientist.

 VietNamNet Bridge – Overlapping management of inland waterway traffic has hindered infrastructure development in HCM City and made it difficult to penalise violations and effectively tackle the problem of increasing accidents, local officials say.

After two years carrying out the program to reduce environmental pollution in canals and rivers in HCM City, the water of Saigon River and many canals has been improved but they are in danger of being polluted again.

The pavement markets, where Hanoians like going to on the way from work to home instead of traditional markets or supermarkets, have created the special streets with specific smells.