Hanoi (VNA), Dec. 6 -- Vietnam's rivers have greatly contributed to socio-economic development, but over-exploitation in recent years has seriously affected this valuable resource, an expert has said.

The head of the Vietnam Rivers Network, Dao Trong Tu, was speaking at the network's annual workshop in Hanoi on December 4.

The benefits from rivers are huge but protection seems to be ignored, he said.

A rapid increase in population and fast socio-economic development are resulting in uncontrolled and unsustainable tapping of rivers' potential.

Rivers are associated with human life, so protecting rivers helps to ensure the survival and prosperity of the country, he said.

The workshop was an opportunity for relevant parties and the comm...