Arsenic in drinking water is a severe public health risk in Vietnam especially in the Red River Delta (RRD), northern Vietnam. Located in the RRD, Hanam is the most affected province by arsenic contamination of groundwater. Several programs have been initiated and implemented in Vietnam especially in the rural areas to address the problems of arsenic in drinking water, among those piped water from centralized water plants. However, it is the fact that like many developing countries, in Vietnam efforts have been focused mainly on engineering aspect of technologies, while the nature of water users’ needs is neglected. This study assessed the determinants of piped water connection in arsenic contaminated areas of the RRD based on a field survey of 443 households in Hanam province. We found that, most of the respondents in RRD were aware of arsenic contaminated water but did not have deep knowledge on the issue and long-term health effect of consuming arsenic contaminated water. Connection fee, arsenic awareness index and household expenditure presented the most influential factors affecting the decision of getting connected. We discussed the implication of connection subsidies, awareness raising and collective action policy for providing safe water for the welfare of all society.

Agriculture is an industry with potential and advantages for development, but it is increasingly difficult to attract foreign direct investment (FDI) flows. Up to now, the results of attracting FDI inflows into the agricultural sector have many limitations, not really reaching the industry’s potential. This study will assess the current situation of attracting foreign direct investments into the agricultural sector in Vietnam in terms of FDI capital scale, FDI capital structure based on agriculture standard, investment method, investment partners and by investment recipients. The Red River Delta is one of the two Vietnamese economic regions with highly agricultural production. With the tradition of agricultural production and many favorable natural, economic and social conditions, the Red River Delta can further develop into a major agricultural production area of the country, contributing to economic development of the region and the whole country. However, FDI investment in agriculture in the region is modest compared to the potential of the industry as well as compared to other sectors in the region. While FDI inflow into Vietnam and other sectors in the region tends to increase strongly, FDI into agriculture is very low and has not grown for a long time, which is contrary to the trend of FDI to other sectors of the Red River Delta as well as the whole country and also contrary to the FDI flows to global agriculture.