Speaking at the meeting, Vice Minister Nguyen Hoang Hiep highly appreciated the support of the Government of Japan, through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), in strengthening Viet Nam’s disaster management capacity. Notable initiatives include the pilot Sabo dam project in Son La and flood management planning studies in central Viet Nam.

He stressed that Viet Nam is facing increasingly extreme natural hazards, especially flash floods and landslides in mountainous areas, as well as growing urban flooding challenges. In this context, Viet Nam seeks to further learn from Japan’s comprehensive approaches, particularly in Sabo dam technology and river basin management.

On the Japanese side, representatives of MLIT shared their experience in the construction and operation of Sabo dam systems, as well as integrated approaches to managing sediment-related disasters, combining structural measures with land-use management. Japan also introduced its river basin-based flood control model and advanced urban flood management solutions.

As part of the mission, the Vietnamese delegation visited a Disaster Management Center and received briefings on Sabo dam management in Japan. In the coming days, the delegation is scheduled to conduct field visits to key disaster prevention infrastructure, including Sabo dam systems in Gunma Prefecture and flood control works along the Tone River basin.

On the same day, the delegation also held a courtesy meeting with leaders of JICA to discuss ongoing cooperation projects and explore new support programs in disaster management, water resource management, and climate change adaptation.