Leading the flow

In mountainous communities of northern Vietnam, climate change is placing increasing pressure on already fragile water infrastructure and sanitation services, with women and vulnerable families particularly at risk.

EMW’s two-year program is combining site-specific improvements to water and sanitation with an equally important investment in people. Working across Phu Tho (formerly Hoa Binh, prior to Vietnam’s 2025 administrative restructuring) and Thanh Hoa provinces, the program is providing thousands of households with safer, more reliable water and sanitation, while empowering local women to take a leading role in managing and delivering these services.

The program is bringing practical solutions to 13 mountainous communes (17 before 2025 commune merger), tailored to local needs. In Phu Tho, vulnerable families are receiving water filters, water tanks and hygienic latrines, while community filtration systems are providing clean water at -public administrative facilities. In Thanh Hoa, extensions to existing water networks are securely connecting more than 2,100 households to piped supplies. In total, a target 2,500 households will develop ‘Water Safety Plans’ covering domestic rainwater collection, water storage and well protection.

However, infrastructure is only part of the story. Working with provincial Women’s Unions, the program is developing women as community leaders, training them to promote safe water, hygiene and climate-resilient practices among thousands of local households.

These local networks will continue supporting communities after the program formally ends, while a revolving fund will help maintain newly installed water filtration systems. Together, the activities are expected to directly benefit almost 20,000 people in northern Vietnam.