TTLV: Water dispute in Mekong River Basin (2019-2024)

MASTER'S THESIS INFORMATION

1. Student's full name: Nguyen Duc Dai Huu 2. Gender: Male

3. Date of birth: August 4, 2000

4. Place of birth: Hanoi

5. Student recognition decision No. 4058/2022/QD - XHNV, dated December 28, 2022 of the President of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi

6. Changes in the training process:

- Extend the study period according to Decision No. 6934/QD-XHNV, dated December 16, 2024 of the President of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi.

- Change the topic name to “Water dispute in Mekong River Basin (2019-2024)” according to Decision No. 5813/QD-XHNV, dated October 23, 2024 of the President of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi.

- Extend the study period according to Decision No. 4670/QD-XHNV, dated June 24, 2025 of the President of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi.

7. Thesis topic: Water dispute in Mekong River Basin (2019-2024)

8. Major: International Relations ; Code: 8310601.01

9. Scientific advisor: Dr. Le Lena - University of Social Sciences and Humanities.

10. Summary of thesis results:

The thesis focuses on analyzing the nature, dynamics and impacts of water disputes in the Mekong River Basin in the period 2019-2024, in the context of climate change, hydropower expansion and strategic competition among riparian countries. Based on the theory and law of transboundary water governance, the study identifies “water dispute” as a more accurate and practical analytical framework than the concept of “water conflict”, because it reflects the negotiable nature and policy orientation of disagreements related to water resources.

The thesis has three main tasks:

First: Establishing the theoretical, legal and historical basis of water disputes in the Mekong River Basin. This section clarifies the concept of “water disputes” and identifies four main analytical aspects including: water use, dam construction, resource management and institutional or geopolitical disputes. On that basis, this chapter also analyzes the factors in the world and in the region that increase disputes, such as power asymmetry, institutional fragmentation and the influence of external actors.

Second: Analyze the development of water disputes in the Mekong River Basin in the period 2019–2024 along four main dimensions: water use, dam construction, resource management, and institutional or geopolitical disputes. This section clarifies how issues such as irrigation allocation, hydropower development, sediment and fisheries management, and the involvement of external powers have transformed technical disagreements into water governance challenges.

Third: Assessing Vietnam’s position and response to water disputes in the Mekong River Basin, focusing on policy adjustments and participation in regional cooperation mechanisms such as the Mekong River Commission (MRC) and Lancang-Mekong Cooperation (LMC). This section also proposes policy recommendations to enhance Vietnam’s role in transboundary water governance and ensure national water security in the context of increasing environmental and geopolitical pressures.

11. Practical applicability: The thesis can be used as a reference in research and teaching on water resources management, international relations and environmental policy in the Mekong region. The research results provide scientific arguments for policy making, negotiations and cooperation of Vietnam in multilateral mechanisms on transboundary water resources management.

12. Further research directions: Based on the results achieved, further research can focus on expanding the analysis of water dispute developments in the Mekong River Basin in the period after 2024, especially new trends in hydropower exploitation, flow management and data sharing among riparian countries. In addition, it is necessary to continue assessing the long-term impacts of water disputes on water security and downstream livelihoods, as well as Vietnam's role in promoting substantive cooperation and balancing interests among countries in the basin.

13. Published works related to the thesis: None

INFORMATION ON MASTER'S THESIS

1. Full name: NGUYEN DUC DAI HUU 2. Sex: Male

3. Date of birth: August 4^th, 2000 4. Place of birth: Hanoi

5. Admission decision number: 4058/QD-XHNV dated December 28^th, 2022, issued by the Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi.

6. Changes in academic process:

- Extension of study period under Decision No. 6934/QD–XHNV dated December 16^th, 2024, issued by the Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi.

- Change of thesis title to “Water Dispute in the Mekong River Basin (2019–2024)” under Decision No. 5813/QD–XHNV dated October 23^rd, 2024, issued by the Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi.

- Extension of study period under Decision No. 4670/QD–XHNV dated June 24^th, 2025, issued by the Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi.

7. Official thesis title: Water Dispute in the Mekong River Basin (2019–2024).

8. Major: International Relations 9. Code: 8310601.01

10. Supervisors: Dr. Le Lena – University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi.

11. Summary of the findings of the thesis:

The thesis analyzes the nature, drivers, and impacts of water disputes in the Mekong River Basin during 2019–2024 within the context of climate change, hydropower expansion, and strategic competition among riparian countries. Drawing upon the theoretical and legal foundations of transboundary water governance, the study positions “water disputes” as a more precise analytical framework than “water conflicts,” emphasizing their negotiable and policy-relevant nature.

The thesis focuses on three main tasks as follows:

First: To establish the theoretical, legal, and historical foundations of Mekong water disputes. This includes defining the concept of “water dispute” and identifying four analytical dimensions—water usage, dam construction, resource management, and institutional or geopolitical disputes—that structure the analysis throughout the thesis. This chapter also examines global and regional drivers of disputes, such as power asymmetry, institutional fragmentation, and the influence of external actors.

Second: To analyze the evolution of water disputes in the Mekong River Basin during 2019–2024 across four key dimensions: water usage, dam construction, resource management, and international or institutional disputes. This part highlights how issues such as irrigation allocation, hydropower development, sediment and sediment management, and external power involvement have transformed technical disagreements into structural governance challenges.

Third: To assess Vietnam's position and responses to water disputes in the Mekong River Basin, focusing on its vulnerabilities, policy adjustments, and engagement in regional mechanisms such as the Mekong River Commission (MRC) and the Lancang–Mekong Cooperation (LMC). This part also proposes policy recommendations to enhance Vietnam's role in transboundary water governance and ensure national water security amid growing environmental and geopolitical pressures.

12. Practical applicability: The thesis serves as a reference for research and teaching on water governance, international relations, and environmental policy in the Mekong region. Its findings provide scientific and policy-oriented insights to support Vietnam's participation in regional and multilateral frameworks related to transboundary water management.

13. Further research directions:

Future studies may extend this analysis beyond 2024 by examining how emerging hydropower projects, climate variability, and new infrastructure initiatives reshape water governance in the Mekong Basin. Further research could also focus on Vietnam's long-term strategy in data-sharing, institutional coordination, and basin-level cooperation to promote equitable and sustainable water management across the region.

14. Thesis-related publications: None