After reunification, the Mekong cooperation is considered interests and priorities of the sustainable and efficient use of water resources in our country. On 18 September 1978, the Prime Minister issued Decision No. 237-CP establishment of the Viet Nam National Mekong Committee to assist the Government in coordinating the activities of Viet Nam in Mekong cooperation. In the period 1978 to 1995, through the Mekong cooperation and activities of the Vietnam National Mekong Committee has many research projects, pilot studies, constructions were carried out to contribute to socio-economic development the Mekong Delta and the Central Highlands, as follows:

• Irrigation projects: Tan Go Cong Irrigation Project, Huong My Irrigation Project, Research and Development on Irrigation in Vam Nao, Flood control and irrigation projects, Yasoup feasibility study project…;
• Agriculture and forestry projects: an action plan Srepok Basin, research investigating wetlands, forest research and development of Long Xuyen quadrangle, shrimp stations in Vung Tau;
• Environment projects: set up the water quality monitoring network;
• Training worskhop programs, capacity buildings contributed to building a team of staff to undertake the management of natural resources in general and the Mekong cooperation in particular in the future.

April 5, 1995, four member countries are Cambodia, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, the Kingdom of Thailand and the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam signed the Agreement on the Cooperation for Sustainable Development of the Mekong River Basin and established the Mekong River Commission to strengthen international cooperation between riparian countries. To strengthen the role of the Viet Nam National Mekong Committee in the implementation of the 1995 Mekong Agreement, on December 30, 1995, Prime Minister signed Decision 860/TTg on functions, duties, powers and organizational structure of the Viet Nam National Mekong Committee.

In the period from 1995 to 2010, the activities of the Viet Nam National Mekong Committee has contributed significantly to the overall operation of the national and Mekong River Commission (MRC), actively coordinate with other agencies in the country strengthen the management of water resources, water quantity and quality monitoring transboundary water; promote the integration of the activities of the Mekong in bilateral and multilateral cooperation…; contribute positively to the MRC Strategic Plan for the implementation of the 1995 Mekong Agreement; negotiation and signing of the Rules for Water Utilization; actively promote the activities of the Commission; and implementation of programs and key projects of the Commission.

To enhance the work efficiency of the Committee, by the end of 2011, the Minister, Chairman of the Viet Nam National Mekong Committee has issued Rules of Procedures for Viet Nam National Mekong Committee.

Starting from the situation and new tasks, the Prime Minister issued Decision No. 619/QD-TTg regulations on functions, duties, powers and organizational structure of the Viet Nam National Mekong Committee.

According to Decision No. 619/QD-TTg, the Vietnam Mekong River Commission established two Sub-committees to act as river basin management organizations for the Mekong River Commission and the Sesan-Srepok River Commission. The establishment of the Mekong River Commission and the Sesan-Srepok River Commission aims to ensure an inter-sectoral, inter-provincial, and inter-national approach; integrated management of water resources according to river basins, ensuring harmony between upstream and downstream basin relationships, and unified management of transboundary impacts throughout Vietnam. The two Sub-committees focus on addressing specific and specific issues in each basin. The Standing Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Mekong River Commission, the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, is the Chairman of both Sub-committees.

To enhance the working efficiency of the Vietnam Mekong River Commission, the Deputy Prime Minister, Chairman of the Vietnam Mekong River Commission, has issued the Working Regulations of the Vietnam Mekong River Commission. The Standing Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Mekong River Commission and the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment issued the Operating Regulations of the Sub-Committees of the Mekong River Basin and the Sesan-Srepok River Basin. There are 32 members of the Viet Nam National Mekong Committee are authorized representatives of Line Ministries, and of the People’s Committees/City in the Mekong Delta and Central Highlands, and the Director General of VNMC.

In recent years, the Viet Nam National Mekong Committee has completed its tasks to strengthen the Mekong cooperation, in particular has contributed greatly to the achievement of the Commission, to lead and participate positive and effective implementation of the work programme of the Commission, to build solidarity in the Commission and has played a positive role as agents promoting development Commission; maintain positive relationships bilateral and multilateral riparian countries; continue to expand partnerships with donors, initiatives/regional and international organizations, to strengthen the participation of non-governmental organizations… The Committee has been strengthened the organization and relationship with the line ministries and local authorities to be strengthened through joint activities and information dissemination activities of the Committee.

Viet Nam National Mekong Committee Standing Office is assisting the Viet Nam National Mekong Committee, located in the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment

Viet Nam National Mekong Committee Standing Office has legal status, seal and accounts in accordance with the law; own staffing and funding of the state budget; work under such regulations Department under the Ministry; perform other tasks as assigned by the Minister of Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, Permanent Deputy Chairman of the Viet Nam National Mekong Committee in the field of water resources and related fields.

H.E. Mr. Do Duc Duy

Minister of Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment

Permanent Deputy Chairman of Vietnam National Mekong Committee

Office of Vietnam National Mekong Committee

23 Hang Tre. Hoan Kiem. Ha Noi