Clean water price in 2025
The Ministry of Finance issued a notice of 1250/TB-BTC, stipulating the clean water price bracket in 2025, based on the Law on Price 2023 and Decree 85/2024/ND-CP. The document is the basis for People's Committees of provinces and cities to determine the average retail price of clean water in the locality.
Accordingly:
In special urban areas and type 1 urban areas, the price range ranges from 3,500 - 18,000 VND/m3.
For type 2 to type 5 urban areas, the price ranges from 3,000 - 15,000 VND/m3.
In rural areas, the price range is regulated from 2,000 - 11,000 VND/m3.
The above price includes value added tax, applied to the average clean water retail price, not a specific retail price for each subject and purpose of use.
Localities begin reviewing and calculating retail prices
By May 2025, many localities are urgently reviewing the cost of clean water production, developing a price adjustment plan to submit to the Provincial People's Council. Some provinces and cities said that the cost of water supply has increased due to the price of electricity, supplies, pipeline maintenance, etc., which has increased significantly after the COVID-19 pandemic and inflationary fluctuations.
According to regulations, in case the approved retail water price is lower than the correct and sufficient calculation plan, the provincial People's Committee must compensate for the difference from the local budget to ensure the rights of the water supply unit.
How to calculate the price of clean water?
According to Decree 117/2007/ND-CP, clean water prices must be calculated correctly and fully for production - distribution - maintenance costs. Selling prices need to reflect the actual conditions of each locality, regardless of whether it is a domestic or foreign organization or individual, and at the same time aim to save resources and support the poor.
The State still controls the price of clean water because this is an essential commodity, which has a great impact on people's lives, public health and water security. Therefore, clean water is included in the list of goods and services valued by the State according to Article 21 of the 2023 Price Law.
What is the average clean water price?
The average clean water price is the average price calculated based on the entire cost of clean water production and distribution and the actual water supply output of water supply units in a locality.
This price is not a specific retail price for each customer group, but is the basis for the competent authority to review the detailed price list for each user (household, production, business, administrative agency...).
Specific retail prices for each group can be lower or higher than the average, but must be within the price range prescribed by the State.
