11:10:11 AM | 7/6/2026
In the face of increasingly severe climate change and natural disasters, the application of science and technology to forecasting and early warning has become an urgent necessity. In Da Nang, the Water Resources Development and Consulting Company (WATEC), a science and technology enterprise, has been quietly creating practical value for the community through "Make in Vietnam" technological solutions for disaster prevention and response.
WATEC's VRain automatic rain gauge station
Vietnam-made disaster warning technology
Established in 2003, WATEC initially provided consulting services for irrigation and hydropower projects. Since 2015, however, the company has shifted its focus to researching and developing hydrometeorological monitoring equipment and digital disaster warning systems. Guided by its mission of building safer communities in the face of natural disasters, WATEC has gradually established itself as a pioneering science and technology enterprise in Vietnam.
WATEC's most notable achievement is the VRain automatic rainfall measurement system, a technology developed by Vietnamese engineers. To date, the VRain network has expanded nationwide with more than 2,900 automatic rain gauges, making it the largest privately operated rainfall monitoring system in Vietnam. In addition, more than 100 smart stations developed by WATEC for flash flood, landslide, and inundation warnings are operating in many localities frequently affected by natural disasters, helping strengthen early warning capacity and reduce damage to people and property.
WATEC's smart flood warning tower
Beyond the domestic market, WATEC's technological solutions have expanded internationally. Several of the company's monitoring and disaster warning systems are now deployed in the Philippines and Cuba, countries frequently affected by typhoons, floods, and other extreme weather events. The trust placed in these Vietnamese technologies by international partners reflects the research strength, innovation capacity, and growing competitiveness of Vietnam's science and technology enterprises.
In particular, the VRain app enables users to monitor real time rainfall and receive alerts for heavy rain, flooding, and other disaster risks directly on their smartphones. It was once featured and highly rated on the App Store for providing valuable weather information, especially to communities in flood prone areas.
Behind these achievements is the dedication of Van Phu Chinh, Chairman of WATEC and former Director General of the Vietnam Disaster Management Authority, who is widely regarded by his colleagues as the "father" of the VRain rain gauge.
From technology to disaster management policy
According to Van Phu Chinh, technology is meaningful only when it serves people and helps protect them from the risks of natural disasters. From the early stages of research, WATEC therefore set out to develop products that are cost effective, easy to deploy, highly accurate, and reliable, while remaining well suited to Vietnam's actual conditions.
"Natural disasters do not wait for us to finish preparing before they strike. Every minute of early warning can help protect lives and property. That is what drives us to continue researching and improving our technology," Chinh said.
However, the growth of science and technology enterprises continues to face many challenges. The sector requires substantial resources for research, testing, product refinement, and commercialization. Meanwhile, most science and technology enterprises in Vietnam still have to secure their own funding while bearing the risks associated with innovation.
WATEC’s automatic disaster warning station tower
Drawing on WATEC's experience, Van Phu Chinh believes the Government should introduce more practical support policies, particularly for the research, development, and application of science and technology. He also called on regulatory agencies to strengthen mechanisms for commissioning domestically developed technologies, enabling science and technology enterprises to participate more actively in socio economic development programs and national disaster prevention efforts.
This is not only WATEC's concern but also a shared aspiration among many Vietnamese science and technology enterprises. With more supportive policies, greater resources, and better development conditions, enterprises will have stronger incentives to invest in research, drive innovation, and develop products that deliver meaningful value to the community.
From more than 2,900 automatic rain gauges across Vietnam to disaster warning systems operating in the Philippines and Cuba, WATEC demonstrates that Vietnamese science and technology is fully capable of addressing major societal challenges. Above all, it reflects the aspiration of Vietnamese enterprises to continue innovating for the safety and sustainable development of communities.
By Ngo San - Tran Trang, Vietnam Business Forum
