The P-LINK team has once again delivered a milestone community-based infrastructure project as it completes the installation of a zero-waste water desalination and supply facility in the island community of Con Linh, in Viet Nam’s Tan Hao Commune, Vinh Long Province. The final activity under Phase 3 of the P-LINK Project, or the Republic of Korea (RoK)–United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC) Facility, the handover ceremony, along with a Mekong Institute (MI)-led local capacity-building workshop, was held on March 16, 2026 in Con Linh, with over 40 key stakeholders in attendance.
Summarizing the objectives of the event, Ms. Jian Wang, Project Manager at MI’s Sustainable Energy and Environment (SEE) Department, said that the project is another scalable example of the application of the Water–Energy–Food (WEF) Nexus approach. “This pilot has fostered regional collaboration, integrated solutions, and knowledge exchange, on top of improving access to clean and safe water for domestic use. It also supports food security and livelihoods through water use for aquaculture in salinity-affected areas in the Mekong Delta,” said Ms. Wang.
Con Linh has long faced serious challenges from salt-water intrusion in the Mekong Delta, particularly during the dry season, resulting in limited access to safe water for both domestic use and production. Households primarily rely on rainwater storage or purchased water, while salinity-related water stress continues to affect agricultural activities and shrimp farming.
These are further exacerbated by the increasing threats of climate change and sea level rise. Findings from the initial baseline survey confirmed the severity of these conditions, with salinity levels in the Ham Luong River reaching up to 15,000 parts per million (ppm), a measure of salt concentration in water. This also causes acute water scarcity for nearly seven to eight months each year, making the transition to a specialized desalination solution a logistical necessity for the community’s survival.
With the Mekong Delta region entering the peak of the dry season, the Department of Agriculture and Environment of Vinh Long Province said it has instructed the Rural Water Supply Center to strictly follow the technical operation procedures provided by the project and to coordinate closely with the People’s Committee of Tan Hao Commune to maintain a timely and stable water supply for local residents. “To ensure the long-term effectiveness of the project, the Department of Agriculture and Environment will continue to advise the People’s Committee of Vinh Long Province on developing an appropriate and sustainable management, operation, and utilization model for this facility, in line with local conditions,” said Mr. Bui Van Tham, the Department’s Deputy Director.
Best fit solution
One of the P-LINK partners, the Mekong River Commission (MRC), described the facility as responsive to real and growing challenges in the Mekong Delta region, noting how it is tailored to local conditions and designed with people’s needs in mind. “At its core, this pilot is about people,” Ms. Busadee Santipitaks, Chief Executive Officer of the MRC Secretariat, said in a recorded message. “This is exactly the type of practical, community-focused solution that the WEF Nexus approach is intended to deliver, linking water security, clean energy solutions, and livelihood resilience in an integrated way.”
The facility design responds to Con Linh’s geographic constraints and flood risks. Key features include surface water intake from the Mekong River, reflecting local preferences and sustainability considerations, and a solar-assisted power system with grid backup to support operational stability. To address high salinity, the facility utilizes a high-voltage Reverse Osmosis (RO) desalination system, which filters brackish water, or slightly salty water, through semi-permeable membranes to remove salts and impurities, turning undrinkable river water into potable water.
With a treatment capacity of approximately 50 cubic meters per day for household water supply and 100 cubic meters per day for shrimp aquaculture use, a standout feature of the system is its zero-waste approach to desalination. Rather than discarding the concentrated brine, or highly salty wastewater produced during the filtration process, the facility redirects this byproduct to local shrimp farming initiatives. This integration creates a circular economy model that provides a community of more than 2,000 residents with both clean drinking water and a valuable resource for aquaculture, directly boosting local economic resilience.
Viet Nam National Mekong Committee Deputy Director-General Dr. Truong Hong Tien noted that the project helps address challenges in an area facing significant infrastructure and socioeconomic constraints. He emphasized the need to allocate adequate resources to ensure proper management and operation in line with technical procedures, guaranteeing safety and efficiency and delivering stable, long-term benefits to the local community. “Based on the positive results of this pilot project, the model will continue to be studied, refined, and gradually replicated in other localities within Vinh Long Province and across the Mekong Delta region,” he added.
Speaking on behalf of the Republic of Korea’s Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT), Ms. Eunyoung Huh, Director of the Multilateral Cooperation Division under the International Cooperation Bureau, reaffirmed the RoK’s commitment to working closely with Viet Nam and partners to localize innovation and build a resilient future for the region. She noted that the pilot demonstrates how science and technology can translate into tangible improvements in daily life and livelihoods. “This model shows that effective solutions do not always require larger budgets, but rather stronger coordination, partnership, and trust among stakeholders. It also stands as a meaningful example of South–South and triangular cooperation in action,” she added.
A beginning, not an end
In a recorded message, UNOSSC Trust Fund Director Ms. Xiaojun Grace Wang described the pilot as a true expression of South–South and triangular cooperation, where solutions are co-created. “Today’s handover marks a beginning, not an end. From today onward, this facility belongs to the community and local authorities who will operate and sustain it. Our hope is that what begins here on Con Linh Island will inspire broader efforts to expand climate-resilient water solutions across the region,” she said.
Dr. Ji Woong Yoon, President of the Science and Technology Policy Institute (STEPI), echoed these remarks, noting that while the Viet Nam pilot project represents the final milestone of the cooperation initiative, “the handover of this facility today does not signify the end of the P-LINK project. Instead, it marks the beginning of locally led operation and responsible management.”
To ensure the facility remains a permanent, self-sustaining asset, local operators were trained to manage the system, and its potential for revenue generation is being explored to cover future maintenance and parts replacement. Prior to the handover, implementation partner L2E Solutions conducted an intensive technical training program focused on familiarization, autonomy, and full operational control. MI also worked closely with L2E Solutions to develop user-friendly training materials in Vietnamese, including large-format troubleshooting posters, daily maintenance checklists, and simplified operating guides. These tools break down technical processes into clear, step-by-step instructions, making it easier for community members to manage the facility regardless of their educational background. MI also led non-technical sessions on the broader social and developmental impacts of the project, focusing on how the facility can support daily needs, livelihoods, and community well-being.
The handover was followed by the immediate use of the facility, with residents using their own containers to collect potable water treated directly onsite, demonstrating the facility’s ability to serve the local population.
About P-LINK
P-LINK is a cooperation project under the RoK-UNOSSC Facility. It brings together RoK’s Ministry of Science and ICT, UNOSSC, MRC, MI, STEPI, and other partners to apply integrated, multi-sectoral technology solutions across water, energy, and food systems—strengthening access, resilience, and livelihoods for vulnerable communities across the Lower Mekong Basin.
