According to a monitoring report by the provincial People’s Council, from 2021 to 2024, the provincial government and relevant agencies have taken strong, coordinated action to invest in, construct, and operate clean water supply systems. As a result, the percentage of rural households with stable and hygienic access to domestic water rose from 84.42% in 2021 to 92.86% in 2024, surpassing the 2025 target by 7.86%. Similarly, the proportion of households accessing clean water meeting national standards reached 14.62%, exceeding the goal by 4.62%.

During this period, Điện Biên’s technical departments implemented a range of meaningful programs and projects with vital support from international partners, bringing about tangible improvements. A prime example is the national target program on new rural development, which emphasized community capacity building. In 2024 alone, 138 communicators across Mường Ảng, Tuần Giáo, Nậm Pồ, and Tủa Chùa districts were trained in facility management and water source protection, empowering locals to take control of their own water systems.

Meanwhile, the World Bank-funded scaling up rural sanitation and water supply program focused on extremely disadvantaged communes. It not only constructed and renovated 20 centralized water systems, but also supported 4,128 households in building hygienic latrines. Additionally, the UNICEF-supported “WASH in Schools” initiative (water, sanitation, and hygiene) provided 500 ceramic-core water filters and replaced over 300 used filters across 48 schools in Tuần Giáo, Điện Biên Đông, and Tủa Chùa districts. Thanks to this effort, 15,475 students and teachers now enjoy access to potable water directly from the tap, an invaluable gift for public health.

One of the most innovative highlights in the clean water mission is the rainwater harvesting and filtration model developed by Gravity Water. Piloted in 2022 at five water-scarce schools, the system has since been expanded to 55 schools and 10 residential clusters with a total investment exceeding VND 3.3 billion. Requiring no electricity or underground water, the system collects rainwater from rooftops, stores it in tanks, and purifies it through eco-friendly filters, providing safe water to over 20,000 students, teachers, and highland residents. Its simple design, affordability, and sustainability make it a game-changer for remote communities.

Tìa Ghếnh C hamlet in Na Son commune is among the locations where Gravity Water systems have been installed. Vừ Súa Tùng, head of the hamlet, shared: “We have 61 households here. For years, we relied on a single natural stream. But during the dry season, especially from February to April, the stream would dry up. People had to walk long distances just to fetch water. Not having enough water is already tough, but the bigger worry is health, especially for the elderly and children, when water isn’t clean.”

In March 2025, a clean water system from Gravity Water was installed in the heart of the hamlet, thanks to support from local authorities and international partners. “Since the system was put in place, everything has changed”, Tùng said. “Nine households living nearby benefit directly, two of them even connected pipes to bring water straight into their homes. Others can come and collect clean water whenever they need. It’s clear, safe, and everyone is truly grateful.”

Nearby, Ly A Giờ’s family is among those who used to suffer from chronic water shortages. “Back then, we had to ration every drop. Even bathing or washing clothes was difficult. Now, with abundant clean water right next door, we can comfortably meet all our daily needs”, said Giờ.

To ensure long-term water security, the residents of Tìa Ghếnh C have also taken proactive steps. According to Tùng, during the dry season, villagers work together to divert water from other streams into the system’s storage tanks for filtration and reserve, ensuring the whole hamlet has access to clean water.

Despite these bright spots, the journey to bring clean water to the highlands is far from easy. Currently, Điện Biên province has 199 water supply systems that are no longer operational due to damage or degradation and have yet to be officially decommissioned. Another 237 systems are still running but are unstable and in need of repair or upgrading, yet funding remains unavailable. In many rural areas, existing water systems are still underutilized, failing to operate at full capacity.

These shortcomings stem from both objective and subjective causes. Geographically, rugged mountains and harsh weather complicate construction and reduce infrastructure lifespan. Subjectively, some residents still lack awareness about protecting communal assets, resulting in vandalism, theft, and unauthorized tapping. In some cases, households dig private wells despite having centralized systems nearby, wasting state resources.

Moreover, interdepartmental coordination in inspecting and evaluating water systems is still inconsistent. Weak collaboration between construction contractors and water service providers has also led to damage in supply networks. Maintenance funding, especially for systems managed by commune-level governments, is limited and insufficient.

To ensure sustainable access to clean water in rural areas, a long-term, comprehensive strategy is crucial. First, targeted policies must be in place to support infrastructure upgrades and system management, particularly in disadvantaged regions. Second, new technologies should be applied in water quality monitoring, leak detection, and efficient system operation. Any new projects must be based on field assessments, suited to the terrain, and built for durability and effectiveness.

Equally important is a shift in community awareness. Residents need practical guidance on the value, benefits, and responsibilities tied to water use and conservation. Local governments, especially at the commune and village levels, must take a more active role, as they are closest to the people and most attuned to their needs. Improving living standards, especially for ethnic minorities and low-income families, is also essential to enhance access to water services.

Only then can clean water become more than a basic utility, it can be a part of a sustainable, civilized way of life in rural Vietnam.