The Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) is implementing urgent measures to ensure the safety of hydropower reservoirs, restore power supplies as quickly as possible, and secure essential goods for people in flood-affected regions.

In response to the severe flooding that has struck the south-central region since mid-November 2025, the MoIT has carried out synchronised and decisive actions to manage the situation and mitigate impacts. The ministry’s priorities include ensuring the safe operation of hydropower reservoirs, maintaining national power system stability, and safeguarding the supply of essential commodities to affected communities.

Consistent, unified direction from central to local levels

According to the Department of Industrial Safety and Environmental Engineering, the Minister of Industry and Trade has issued a series of urgent directives to central provinces, including Telegrams No. 9037/CĐ-BCT (17 November), No. 9090/CĐ-BCT (18 November), No. 9161/CĐ-BCT (20 November) and No. 9206/CĐ-BCT (21 November), requiring the immediate implementation of flood response measures.

The MoIT’s Standing Office of the Civil Defence Steering Committee has maintained round-the-clock operations to monitor developments, track hydropower reservoir operations and report promptly to the National Civil Defence Steering Committee to ensure seamless coordination among central authorities, localities and enterprises.

The MoIT has also required the Vietnam Electricity Group (EVN), Petrovietnam, the Vietnam National Coal and Mineral Industries Group (TKV), Petrolimex and relevant enterprises to activate their emergency response plans and prepare equipment, materials and personnel to address risks to operational safety.

Proactive flood discharge reduction to protect downstream areas

The MoIT instructed hydropower operators to strictly follow reservoir procedures, report hourly and comply fully with directives from competent authorities. Major reservoirs with flood-control capacity, such as Binh Dien, Huong Dien, A Vuong, Dak Mi 4, Song Bung 4, Song Ba Ha, Don Duong, Song Hinh and Ka Nak, were required to lower water levels ahead of incoming floods and maintain levels below pre-flood thresholds. With increased empty storage to receive floodwaters, these reservoirs were able to significantly reduce downstream inundation during the recent extreme rainfall event.

“EVN and its power generation corporations 1, 2 and 3 have dispatched working teams to inspect key hydropower plants and guide disaster response,” the department representative said. As flood levels on major rivers peaked and began to recede, reservoirs continued to decrease discharge volumes to help reduce downstream flooding.

The MoIT also requested EVN to activate all emergency scenarios and mobilise human resources from less-affected areas to support heavily impacted provinces. The ministry emphasised the principle of absolute safety and priority power restoration for command centres, disaster response units, hospitals and essential public facilities. All available resources were mobilised to restore electricity for residents as soon as water levels receded.

The MoIT also directed provincial Departments of Industry and Trade to increase reserves of essential goods by 25-40%, set up mobile sale points, and coordinate with the military and border forces to deliver supplies to isolated areas using boats, canoes and specialised vehicles.

Market stabilisation measures were strengthened, with prices kept stable and no widespread shortages recorded. For fuel supply, the MoIT instructed major wholesalers and distributors to maintain continuous supply, prioritising deliveries to severely flooded areas.

Throughout the severe flooding in central Vietnam, the MoIT acted as the “central command” across three critical fronts: hydropower reservoirs, the national power system and essential goods supply. Its consistent, proactive and practical direction helped minimise damage, ensure reservoir safety, accelerate power restoration and maintain steady access to essential goods for local communities.