According to the update of Vietnam Electricity Group, by 12:00 on November 19, 2025, Hoa Binh Lake recorded upstream water levels at elevation of 116.87m; water flow to the lake reached 2,308m3/s; total discharge was 591m3/s.
Implementing the inter-reservoir operation process in the Red River basin, Hoa Binh Hydropower Plant closed a bottom spillway at 9:00 a.m. on November 12, 2025. After closing the bottom spillway, the water level in the downstream area of the hydropower dam decreased rapidly.
On November 19, a reporter from Lao Dong Newspaper was present at the foot of Hoa Binh Bridge (Hoa Binh Ward, Phu Tho Province), about 2km from Hoa Binh Hydropower Plant.
Actual records show that the water level of the Da River downstream has decreased significantly compared to the time when the hydropower plant had to release floodwaters in July 2025. The foot of Hoa Binh Bridge and the stone piles on both banks are clearly visible, and can be observed with the naked eye from the shore.
Mr. Ngo Van Thong (67 years old) - head of the fishing village in Hoa Binh ward - said that the river water level is currently about 15m lower than at the time of the flood discharge.
"Hoa Binh Hydropower Plant is not releasing floodwaters, so the water recedes strongly, exposing the foot of the bridge. This is a common phenomenon after the rainy season, when factories close their floodgates to store water for the dry season," he said.
According to Mr. Thong, the decrease in water levels has not affected the lives of fishing villagers.
"People still fish and raise aquatic products normally. Only when the water drops too low or suddenly rises will it cause an impact," he said.
According to the reporter's research, Hoa Binh Bridge was completed in 2001, connecting Tan Thinh Ward with Phuong Lam Ward, the old Hoa Binh Province (now Hoa Binh Ward, Phu Tho Province), with a total investment of about 100 billion VND. This is the first modern concrete bridge in the old Hoa Binh province, replacing the previous traditional pontoon bridge.
Speaking to reporters, Mr. Pham Van Vuong - Director of Hoa Binh Hydropower Company - said that closing or opening the spillway depends entirely on water flow from upstream and power generation needs. Even during the rainy season, the water level downstream is not always high because the lake is in the stage of regulation and water storage.
"The situation of the water falling down may last for a few more weeks, until the plant increases discharge according to operating requirements," said Mr. Vuong.
