44 Further, the continuation of hydroelectric power development, especially with the rapid increase of small and medium hydro power plants across the country, will inevitably result in heavy losses in[.]
44 Further, the continuation of hydroelectric power development, especially with the rapid increase of small and medium hydro power plants across the country, will inevitably result in heavy losses in both agricultural products and water For example, despite compliance with strict safety measures regulated by provision of bidding laws, 30% of small and medium hydropower projects did not comply with technical criteria on operation (Report of the Committee on Science, Technology and Environment of the National Assembly), 66% of them lacked safety plans and 55% of them lacked flood prevention plans (Hoang Linh, 2014), which would cause substantial damages to both property and people lives in downstream regions For example, in 2012, the failure of Ian Keel dam destroyed 200 hectares of cropland (Thien Thu, 2013), the break of Dakrong damaged a large area of cassava land in Quang Tri (Tran, 2012) Dams of hydropower plants, especially small and medium ones, were planned to perform the function of the electricity generation, irrigation sources and flood control Yet, not all investors follow these plans (Pham, 2013) For example, in 2010, Ba Ha hydropower plant reduced the flood storage of reservoir from 256 million m3 during planning stage to 167 million m3, and continued reducing flood capacity to even lower level (Institute of Energy, 2011) Eventually, it must discharge water during flooding period and caused downstream flooding Adversely, this dam stored water in summer season for electricity generation leading to drought and salinity intrusion in downstream region (Hoang, 2014; Pham, 2013) The analysis above clearly indicates that the nature of the socio-economic development of Vietnam with resource-centric orientation, underpinned by the recent market and policy arrangements, favors the use of fossil fuels and hydro for energy (particularly electricity generation) Such development will further extend the energy-food-water linkages by further strengthening the food-waste and water intensive resources in the energy (electricity) industry Water sector: it is well-recognized that agriculture accounted for over 80% of total water usage (Dao, 2010) Unlike food and energy sectors that directly generate economic values and contributed to economic growth, water is indirect contributor however fundamental, unchangeable and a perquisite primary input for energy and food production Water must therefore be a conserved, reserved, used and managed in the right ways which are in