Approaches to protecting Mekong Delta coastal areas suggested
The management of land use, the use of sand bags to strengthen dykes and the recovery of mangrove forests were among approaches and solutions suggested by experts for the Mekong Delta.
Can Tho (VNA) – The management of land use, the use of sand bags to st𓆏rengthen dykes and the recovery of mangrove forests were among approaches, technology proposals and solutions suggested by experts for the Mekong Delta region to fortify its coastal areas to be resilient to environmental changes.
At a workshop in Can Tho city on July 5, the experts coming from the Integrated Coastal Management Programme (ICMP) shared outcomes of their studies on the feasibility of investment projects to protect coastal areas and manage water resources in the region.
ICMP, which was funded by the governments of Vietnam, Germany and Australia, looks to assist Vietnamese agencies in efforts to help the Mekong Delta be well prepared for climate change and lay a firm foundation for its sustainable growth.
According to Severin Peters, senior technical advisor of the German Society for International Co-operation (GIZ), the studies have been implemented for one year and are scheduled to finish in this September.
Apart from that, a project on the agricultural sector’s response to climate change in coastal areas is being carried out and will be completed in this August.
Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Hoang Van Thang stated that the studies are considered to be the first set of tools pointing out approaches, technology orientations and solutions to coastal protection.
The experts’ recommendations on a flood drainage project in An Giang and Kien Giang provinces and the Cu Lao Dung project in Soc Trang also conform to the localities’ policy of considering sea-related issues as environmental issues and flood control.
The Mekong Delta is facing complicated impacts of climate changes and upstream activities, from saline intrusion, drought, landslides to floods and land subsidence.
With an area of 3.96 million hectares and a population of 18 million, it contributes 50 percent of Vietnam’s total food output; 90 percent of the country’s export rice; 70 percent of fruits; and 65 percent of aquatic products.
The Mekong Delta includes Can Tho city and 12 provinces - Long An, Dong Thap, Tien Giang, Vinh Long, Tra Vinh, Ben Tre, An Giang, Hau Giang, Soc Trang, Bac Lieu, Ca Mau and Kien Giang.
Experts estimated that a one-metre rise in sea levels would likely affect 10 percent of Vietnam’s population and cause losses equal to 10 percent of GDP in its delta regions.
The workshop was co-organised by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the German Society for International Co-operation (GIZ).-VNA
The Ministry of Construction is calling for support for and experience sharing in management and operation of a World Bank-funded project to secure water supply in the Mekong Delta region.
The World Bank (WB) has approved a loan of 90 million USD to help Vietnam strengthen its climate change and green growth agenda in accordance with the World Bank Group’s Climate Change Action Plan.
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.
According to Dr. Vu Anh Tuan, Deputy Director General of the Vietnam Space Centre and head of the project, this is the first study in Vietnam to simultaneously employ Sentinel-2 satellite data, advanced machine learning algorithms, and the Google Earth Engine (GEE) cloud computing platform to model and monitor key seawater quality parameters.
The Deposit Return System is seen as a potential instrument for effectively advancing Vietnam’s vision of a circular economy, as outlined in Article 142 of the 2020 Law on Environmental Protection.
The figures were highlighted in a Pre-Feasibility Study on a DRS tailored for single-use beverage packaging in Vietnam, conducted by Eunomia Research & Consulting.
Young people should not view AI as salvation but rather as a tool under human control. Young creators should focus on learning and accumulating practical knowledge, using AI as a tool to carry out artistic projects in the most effective and cost-efficient manner.
Saigon Hi-Tech Park’s ambitious 50% renewable energy goal far exceeds the city’s 15% target, positioning the park as a trailblazing “living lab” for sustainable energy solutions.
Vietnam's economic losses from natural disasters are estimated to account for 1 to 1.5% of GDP annually - a steep price that will continue to rise unless the country takes strong action.
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.
The fight against plastic pollution could not succeed through isolated efforts, but it must be a collective endeavour involving the entire political system, businesses, citizens, and the international community, said Minister of Agriculture and Environment Do Duc Duy.
Lang Son Global Geopark, with its outstanding geological values, cultural heritage, and unique natural landscapes, represents a valuable addition to UNESCO’s global geoparks system.
In 2019, Quang Ninh became one of the first localities in Vietnam to launch a province-wide campaign against plastic waste, mobilising the participation of the political system, the business sector, and the general public. Other localities—such as Hai Phong, Da Nang, Binh Duong, and Ho Chi Minh City—have also effectively implemented waste-sorting initiatives at source, along with models for plastic-free markets and urban areas.
This year’s World Oceans Day on June 8 is themed 'Wonderful Oceans: Sustaining What Sustains Us', while World Environment Day is on June 5 with the theme: 'Beat Plastic Pollution'.
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.
Illustrative image (Source: VNA)
