According to an update from Vietnam Electricity Group, as of 3:00 p.m. on November 21, 2025, Hoa Binh Lake recorded upstream water levels at elevation of 117.1m; water flow to the lake reached 3,550m3/s; total discharge was 3,542m3/s.
Based on the inter-reservoir operation process in the Red River basin and the Hoa Binh Hydropower Reservoir operation process, to ensure the safety of the project, Hoa Binh Hydropower Company opened 1 bottom spillway through the spillway at 2:00 p.m. on November 20, 2025.
On November 21, a reporter from Lao Dong Newspaper was present at Bich Ha port, Hoa Binh ward (Phu Tho province), recording a different scene. While the white water is rolling downstream, a blue, flat picture appears on the surface of Hoa Binh Lake, reflecting the surrounding mountains.
The clear water and convenient waterway traffic have attracted many groups of tourists to stop, board a boat to explore the lake and relax.
The reservoir attracts visitors with its natural beauty, but what kept them longer was the rhythm of life of the community along the lake. From raising fish in cages, running ships to doing community tourism, people have formed a stable livelihood, gradually exploiting the value of river tourism in the Northwest region.
Mr. Tran Khac My (64 years old), a tourist boat owner, said: "There are nearly a dozen passenger boats anchored at Bich Ha and Ba Cap ports, all activities are still taking place normally but the most crowded are on weekends".
Ms. Bui Thi Nguyet - owner of more than 10 fish cages on the lake, said that all fishing and aquaculture activities still take place regularly every day, regardless of fluctuations in water levels downstream.
According to an update from Hoa Binh Hydropower Company, when opening a bottom spillway, the water flow through the spillway is 1,781m3/s, the water flow through the generators is 1,761m3/s. The water level downstream of Hoa Binh Hydropower Dam will gradually increase to 12.5m; about 5m difference compared to before discharge.
Mr. Pham Van Vuong - Director of Hoa Binh Hydropower Company - affirmed that the closing and opening of the discharge gate is carried out flexibly, based on actual hydrological developments, inflows and instructions from the National Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control.
All data on water level and flow are continuously updated and reported to the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment through the Department of Dyke Management and Natural Disaster Prevention, and relevant agencies.
