Vietnam - Nepal cooperation in hydropower development: The case of the Tanahu Hydropower Project

Abstract

This article examines Vietnam - Nepal cooperation in the Tanahu Hydropower Project. The study aims to clarify Vietnam’s role in the project, assess the outcomes of bilateral cooperation, and derive relevant policy implications. A case study approach is employed, drawing on secondary data from official reports of the Government of Nepal, international financial institutions, and related academic studies. The findings suggest that the Tanahu Hydropower Project reflects a cooperation model centered on the transfer of technical capacity through the export of consulting, design, and construction servieces. This arrangement has allowed Nepal to strengthen its technical capabilities while retaining strategic control over its energy assets, while also contributing to the enhanced presence of Vietnamese enterprises in international infrastructure and energy development cooperation.