Closing One Chapter, Opening a Sustainable Future: Bringing Clean Water to Quới Thiện Island Commune

After months of dedicated collaboration, the project "Installation of Rainwater Harvesting and Treatment Systems for Disadvantaged Households in Quoi Thien Island Commune, Vinh Long Province" has been successfully completed, delivering tangible benefits to local communities while strengthening climate resilience in the Mekong Delta.

The project was implemented under HEINEKEN Vietnam's "For a Better Vietnam" strategy, through a collaborative partnership between the STARS Water Center – Tra Vinh University, local authorities, GO! (Central Retail), and MapMe. This initiative demonstrates the power of multi-stakeholder collaboration, where businesses, academia, government, and communities work together to address one of the region's most pressing challenges—access to safe and sustainable water.

Throughout the implementation process, experts from the STARS Water Center conducted detailed on-site assessments of each household, carefully evaluating roof structures and site conditions to design the most suitable rainwater harvesting system for every family. Rather than applying a one-size-fits-all solution, each system was tailored to maximize rainwater collection efficiency, ensure safe storage, and provide long-term operational sustainability.

Beyond system installation, the project also emphasized capacity building within the community. Beneficiary households received hands-on training in system operation, routine maintenance, and proper management practices, enabling them to independently maintain and sustainably utilize their clean water systems.

On February 6, 2026, six rainwater harvesting and treatment systems were officially handed over and put into operation for disadvantaged households in Quoi Thien Island Commune.

Since becoming operational, the project has generated meaningful and measurable impacts. The six systems now provide reliable access to clean water for 26 local residents, improving daily living conditions and reducing dependence on purchased drinking water, particularly during the dry season and periods of saltwater intrusion. With a combined design capacity of approximately 360 cubic meters of clean water per year, the systems help reduce pressure on freshwater resources, strengthen water security, and enhance the community's resilience to climate change.

Beyond improving access to clean water, the project has also increased community awareness of sustainable water resource management. By promoting rainwater harvesting as a practical and climate-resilient solution, the initiative encourages more sustainable water use in a region increasingly affected by prolonged droughts and saltwater intrusion.

For the STARS Water Center – Tra Vinh University, the project represents more than a technology transfer initiative. It demonstrates the University's commitment to translating scientific research into practical solutions that directly address community needs. By applying research outcomes in real-world settings, the Center continues to contribute to solving one of the Mekong Delta's most urgent environmental challenges—freshwater scarcity during the dry season.

The Quoi Thien project is not the end of the journey, but the beginning of a long-term commitment. In the years ahead, the STARS Water Center will continue working alongside HEINEKEN Vietnam and its partners to further develop and expand sustainable water solutions to more vulnerable communities across the Mekong Delta.

The Center firmly believes that when businesses, universities, government agencies, and local communities join forces, sustainable solutions can create lasting impact. Together, we can build more climate-resilient communities where everyone has access to safe and sustainable water, ensuring that no one is left behind on the journey toward sustainable development.