Vietnam’s capital city of Hanoi plans to invest roughly VND42 trillion ($2 billion) including 50% from the official development assistance (ODA) in upgrading waste treatment system until 2020. The money would enable the municipal government to conduct 19 projects on waste water treatment and drainage at lakes in urban areas and river surrounding the city. Water pollution in Hanoi is a serious issue as household waste water is mostly untreated and only 10% of nearly 100 industrial parks are equipped with waste water treatment systems. Investors of housing and industrial projects choose to pay fines rather than set up water treatment systems as the latter option would cost them much more. The light punishments for polluting the environment have exacerbated the situation. (Thoi Bao Kinh Doanh – Business Times Jan 7 p4, Baotintuc.vn Jan 6)
