EMBASSY OF DENMARK, VIETNAM

THE DANISH MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

VIETNAM WASTE MANAGEMENT

July 2012

Looking for a market with an increasing need to invest in

new waste management technologies? Consider Vietnam!
Why Vietnam?
High growth rates, intensive urbanization and growing goods and water consumption are
increasing the challenges regarding handling both solid waste and waste water in Vietnam.
Projections estimate that these trends will continue the coming decades and, in fact, the
Vietnamese Government has put into place a strong legal framework prioritizing investments
that ensure clean water supply and efficient handling of solid waste and waste water.

Vietnamese waste facts and possibilities for Danish business:

Solid waste
Domestic urban and rural households produce daily 35,100 and 24,900 tonnes of
waste, respectively. A number that will double by 2020. To a large extent waste
is dumped in landfills and thus not recycled profitably. Even in the capital of
Hanoi only 70 pct. of household waste is collected and processed.
Vietnamese industries produce around 13,100 tonnes of industrial waste per day,
of which 20 % is hazardous. Medical waste accounts for 40 tonnes daily.
In 2010 the agricultural sector produced 75 million tons of waste which was
primarily burned but instead could have been be reused as biofuel/biomass.
By 2015 Vietnam targets to collect 85 pct. of urban solid waste and that
86 pct. of medical waste is treated according to international standards.
Waste water
Only 10 pct. of urban waste water is handled through waste water treatment
plants. In fact, only 6 cities in Vietnam have centralized waste water treatment
systems.
The 2025 objective is to process and collect 70-80 pct. of waste water in
major urbanizations. Moreover, the aim is to reuse 20-30 pct. of
processed waste water to irrigation, street cleaning etc.
Vietnamese industry does not, in general, live up to international standards in
terms of handling industrial waste water. Handling systems to the industry,
moreover, need upgrading to protect the vulnerable environment.
By 2015 Vietnam targets that 100 pct. (40-60 pct. in 2011) of all
industrial zones are equipped with waste water treatment systems
meeting environmental standards.
Ho Chi Minh City needs 8 new waste water treatment plants. An
investment sum of DKK 23 billion has been approved.

EMBASSY OF DENMARK, VIETNAM

MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS DENMARK

July 2012
What are the Danish capacities within solid waste and waste water
treatment?
Denmark is one of the first countries in the world to achieve high recycling rates and minimize
the amount of landfill waste. Waste is now considered a valuable resource and most waste is
recycled or incinerated. In fact, the waste industry now employs more than 10,000 employees
and had a turnover of EURO 834 million in 2011.
Today Denmark is considered a European water hub: a centre for knowledge, technology,
services and solutions in the field of waste water treatment. A breakthrough in 1948 led to the
first Danish waste water treatment plant. Since, technologies have improved drastically and
today almost all waste water in Denmark is cleansed before discharged back into nature.

Making use of Danish state-of-the-art technology

Solid waste management

Denmark is home to a number of market leading companies, technologies, and test
facilities in the waste resource management sector. Years of public-private
collaboration among experts, universities, companies and policy makers have
continuously facilitated the development of new and innovative waste management
solutions. In Denmark some 70 pct. and 95 pct. of all waste and construction waste,
respectively, are recycled. In 2012 only 6 pct. of all waste is displaced in landfills.
Waste water management
Home to some of the worlds most comprehensive waste water regulations, Denmark
is now renowned for its treatment systems which ensure an effective reuse of water
resources. Moreover, Denmark is well-known for its in-depth know-how, technology
and solutions regarding mechanical and biological water cleansing, pumps, sewage
treatment and desalination. Danish waste water treatment technology can provide
solutions that protect scarce water resources and the environment.

What are the competencies the Embassy of Denmark can provide?

For the past 40 years, the Embassy has developed a strategic cooperation with the
government of Vietnam, both at the central and local levels. The Embassy possesses good
knowledge and experience of business opportunities and how to do business in Vietnam. We
have insights of the political, socio-economic, legal and cultural systems of the country.
The Embassy is the reliable resource for information and knowledge on the Danish solid waste
and waste water management industries, their manufacturers and companies, their products,
know-how, technologies and solutions.
Regardless the need of your organization, the Embassy of Denmark is a good place to start
your Vietnamese endeavours. We can offer customized services of high quality with full
confidentiality to both private and public institutions.

EMBASSY OF DENMARK IN VIETNAM

19 DIEN BIEN PHU STREET
BA DINH, HANOI
VIETNAM

Phone: +84 (4) 3823 1888

Fax: +84 (4) 3823 1999
www.vietnam.um.dk
hanamb@um.dk