Measures needed to make Mekong Delta adaptive to climate change
It is essential to promote sustainable development of the Mekong Delta in the direction of effectively adapting to climate change, given the region’s strategic position in national socio-economic development and security defence, experts have said.
HCM City (VNA) – It is essential to promote sustainable developmentof the Mekong Delta in the direction of effectively adapting to climate change,given the region’s strategic position in national socio-economic developmentand security defence, experts have said.
Covering a total area of 3.94 million hectares across 13provinces and city, the region is Vietnam’s largest agricultural productioncentre and holds an important role for the nation’s economy.
However, the region is facing a lot of big challenges,including climate change which is getting more and more unpredictably. If noappropriate measures are taken, the sea level rise will submerge about 40percent of the delta’s area by 2100, affecting the livelihoods of 55 percent ofits population and food security of not only the country but also the wholeworld.
Prof Dao Xuan Hoc, President of the Vietnam IrrigationAssociation, said that one of the main reasons for erosions and negativechanges along rivers and coastlines in the region is the lack of alluvium.
To develop the Mekong Delta sustainably, experts stressedthe importance of building the delta’s Integrated Regional Master Plan in2021-2030 with a vision to 2050.
In a recent conference to seek ideas and consultations fromleaders of Mekong Delta localities, experts and scientists for the draft masterplan, Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung said that the draft hasbeen designed on the principles of safeguarding locals, improving theirlivelihoods and protecting the environment, towards sustainable development in allthe three economic, social and environmental pillars, with people put at thecentre and climate change adaptation considered a development method.
Harvesting rice in Mekong Delta (Photo: VNA)
Secretary of Ben Tre province’s Party Committee Phan Van Maisaid solutions must be feasible while creating breakthrough changes and thereshould be both intra- and inter-regional solutions.
It is also necessary to pay attention to the coastaleconomic corridor development so as to open up a new development space to makethe delta worth of living amid climate change, he stated, highlighting theimportance of building mechanisms and policies to attract investment ininfrastructure, especially the coastal route connecting Ho Chi Minh City withlocalities in the region.
Secretary of Can Tho city’s Party Committee Le Quang Manhproposed investing more in science and technology, and agriculturaldevelopment, as well as in high-quality human resources in the agriculturalsector./.
Ho Chi Minh City and 13 cities and provinces in the Mekong Delta will step up efforts to foster tourism cooperation in the next five years, local authorities have said.
The Mekong Delta province of Tra Vinh will dredge its 18 main irrigation canals that run a total of 162 km in the next four years at a cost of 387 billion VND (16.7 million USD) to improve the supply of water for irrigation during the dry season.
The most severe saline intrusion - the movement of ocean saltwater into riverine freshwater - is said to occur in the Mekong Delta region from February 8 to 16, coinciding with the Tet (Lunar New Year) holiday, since Chinese hydro-power plants have reduced their water discharge, which affects water flows downstream on the Mekong River, experts have said.
Many regions across the country, especially the Central Highlands and Mekong Delta, face risks of water shortage, drought and saline intrusion next month, according to hydro-meteorology experts.
Mariam Sherman, World Bank Country Director for Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia, said the World Bank remains committed to working with the Vietnamese government to develop the next phase of climate resilience and transformation for the Mekong Delta.
Under the directive, the PM instructed relevant agencies to regularly inspect, supervise and proactively implement disaster prevention, response and rescue measures in line with their assigned roles and mandates, ensuring readiness, avoiding passivity or delays, and maintaining operational continuity amid ongoing political and administrative restructuring at levels.
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Wutip, the first storm in the East Sea so far this year, has wreaked havoc across central Vietnam, claiming lives, displacing residents, and causing widespread damage to houses, crops, and infrastructure, the Department of Dyke Management and Disaster Prevention and Control reported as of 6:30 pm on June 13.
The tremor occurred at 7:39:46 am (Hanoi time), with the epicentre located at latitude 14.924°N and longitude 108.236°E, at a depth of approximately 8.1 kilometres. The natural disaster risk level was classified as 0 – the lowest on the scale.
Addressing a session on “Accelerating Financing for Resilience: Tailored Solutions for Disaster Risk Reduction,” Deputy Minister Hiep emphasised Vietnam's proposal in building sustainable financing in response to natural disasters, which aligns with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction's goals.
Vietnam has demonstrated its strong commitments by participating in global sustainable development forums, signing multiple free trade agreements, and attracting support from international partners for the implementation of the SDGs.
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According to Director of the provincial Department of Agriculture and Environment Le Huu Toan, a fire prevention and control plan has been in place since the dry season began, including round-the-clock patrols and rapid-response teams to snuff out fires before they could spread.
Renowned artists including Ha Anh Tuan, Den Vau, and Phan Manh Quynh, along with many directors and attendees, took part in planting hundreds of rare tree species such as mun (Diospyros mun) and cho chi (Parashorea chinensis) in the Thung Bong area of the Cuc Phuong National Park, contributing to forest ecosystem restoration.
Saline intrusion in the Mekong Delta (Photo: VNA) 
Harvesting rice in Mekong Delta (Photo: VNA) 
