Society

Adaptation to saltwater intrusion critical to Mekong Delta

The Mekong Delta needs to adjust to saltwater intrusion in the long term, as the ongoing drought and salt water encroachment are challenging response efforts, experts said.
Adaptation to saltwater intrusion critical to Mekong Delta ảnh 1A farmer on his dry rice field in the Mekong Delta province of Long An (Photo: VNA)

Can Tho (VNA) – The Mekong Delta needs to adjust to saltwater intrusion in the long term, as the ongoing drought and salt water encroachment are challenging response efforts, experts said.

Suggesting adaptation measures, Associate Professor Vo Quang Minh from Can Tho University’s College of Environment and Natural Resources said in areas prone to saltwater intrusion, Mekong Delta authorities need to tighten control over water use and design plans for climate change-adjusted farmland use until 2020, 2030 and 2050.

Local climate change scenarios should be aligned with possible changes in soil conditions and economic situation as well as economic policies to serve as a foundation for overall planning, including adaptation to saltwater intrusion, he noted.

He also recommended building synchronous systems of culverts, dams and embankments and dredging irrigation canals. It is also necessary to change the crop schedule and structure in accordance with specific areas, while updating farmers on new cultivation techniques.

Another effective solution for the Mekong Delta is storing water in the flood season for use in the dry season, said Associate Professor Le Anh Tuan, Deputy Director of the Mekong Delta Research Institute for Climate Change.

Ponds and canals dug for flood water storage will help mitigate flood impacts in the rainy season, and that water will, in turn, help reduce saltwater intrusion in the dry season, he added.

Meanwhile, how to use fresh water efficiently is another problem, Tuan said, elaborating that saving one cubic metre of water is easier than seeking an equivalent amount of water in the Delta amid the severe drought and saline encroachment.

He urged residents to employ technical solutions for water efficiency, such as avoiding farming water-intensive crops and livestock, irrigating at appropriate points of time and using waste water, and applying efficient irrigation measures.

The Mekong Delta has nearly 4 million hectares of farmland, accounting for almost 30 percent of Vietnam’s total farmland area, with over 50 percent under rice.

Drought and salinisation have seriously affected 11 out of the 13 Mekong Delta provinces, with nearly 160,000 hectares of the winter-spring rice crop damaged.-VNA

VNA
#Mekong Delta #drought #saltwater intrusion #climate change #flood season
Follow VietnamPlus

Related News

Drought, salinity hit fishery exports

Drought, salinity hit fishery exports

Severe drought and saltwater intrusion in the Mekong Delta has badly affected agriculture and aquaculture, threatening a scarcity of raw materials for seafood exports.

See more

A full suite of automated technologies has been deployed across the Terminal T2 at Noi Bai International Airport, giving travellers greater control over their procedures from check-in to boarding. (Photo: VNA)

Noi Bai Airport to operate expanded int’l terminal with comprehensive automation

The upgrade follows directives from the Prime Minister and the Ministry of Construction and is designed to ease pressure on existing infrastructure by lifting the terminal’s annual capacity from 10 million to 15 million passengers. For the first time, a full suite of automated technologies has been deployed across the terminal, giving travellers greater control over their procedures from check-in to boarding.

Soldiers help flood-hit communities clean up in Hoa Thinh commune, Dak Lak province. (Photo: VNA)

Concerted efforts help disaster-hit communities rebuild lives

The “Quang Trung Campaign” to rapidly repair and rebuild houses for affected families in central provinces is seen as a catalyst for faster and more sustainable recovery, extending beyond housing restoration to reinforcing essential infrastructure, enhancing community resilience, and strengthening public trust in the Party and Government.

Associate Professor Dr Nguyen Manh Hung, Vice President of the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics, addresses the dialogue in Hanoi on December 15. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam among Asia’s leaders in governance capacity

Vietnam has climbed 12 places in the 2025 Chandler Good Government Index (CGGI) since 2021, rising from 60th to 48th globally. Over the past five years, the country has recorded progress in six out of seven CGGI pillars, making it one of Asia’s most notable governance reformers.

Scientific research activities at the National Hospital of Endocrinology. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam sets roadmap for intellectual workforce to 2045

The strategy aims to build a high-quality Vietnamese intellectual workforce with a rational structure, identified as a core driving force for the rapid development of modern productive forces, as well as a leading force in digital transformation, innovation and international integration.

Le Duy Thanh, former Chairman of the Vinh Phuc People’s Committee, is escorted to the courtroom. (Photo: anninhthudo.vn)

Appeal trial opened for Phuc Son Group corruption case

According to the first-instance verdict, Nguyen Van Hau, Chairman and CEO of Phuc Son Group, exploited personal and professional connections to bribe over 132 billion VND (over 5 million USD) to leaders of the Party Committees, People’s Committees, and departments in Vinh Phuc and Quang Ngai, enabling Phuc Son Group to secure many contracts in these localities and Phu Tho province.

A performance at the year-end review programme in Sydney on December 14, co-organised by the Vietnam-Australia Scholars & Experts Association and Vietnam-Australia Cultural Exchange Organisation. (Photo: VNA)

Gathering honours knowledge, culture, community spirit of OVs in Australia

Addressing the gathering that drew more than 300 guests, Vietnamese Consul General in Sydney Nguyen Thanh Tung highlighted contributions of the Vietnamese community in Australia, particularly intellectuals and professionals, to the host society as well as cooperation between the two countries.

Agricultural production models help farmer access modern technology to improve output. (Photo: VNA)

Three national target programmes basically meet, exceed 2021-2025 goals

A report from the Central Steering Committee for National Target Programmes for the 2021–2025 period showed that poverty reduction in ethnic minority-inhabited areas averaged 3.2% per year. Per capita income among ethnic minorities is estimated to reach 45.9 million VND (1,760 USD) in 2025, a 3.3-fold increase from the 2020 level, well surpassing the goal of more than doubling.

Professor Dr. Tran Hong Thai receives the honorary doctorate title and certificate from Professor Nikolay Rogalev of MPEI. (Photo published by VNA)

Vietnamese professor awarded honorary doctorate by Moscow institute

Professor Dr. Tran Hong Thai, Standing Vice President of the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology (VAST) was granted an Honorary Doctorate by The Moscow Power Engineering Institute (MPEI) for his outstanding contributions to scientific development, education and international cooperation in the energy sector.

Delegates perform the inauguration protocol for the Hanoi smart traffic control centre in the capital on December 13. (Photo: VNA)

Hanoi officially launches smart traffic control centre

Equipped with 1,837 AI-powered cameras installed at 195 key intersections, the centre serves as the “brain” for real-time monitoring of traffic conditions and urban order. Through the system, police officers can observe traffic on major roads and junctions, promptly detect congestion, violations, accidents and incidents, and take timely response measures.

Vietnamese Deputy Minister of National Defence Sen. Lieut. Gen. Hoang Xuan Chien speaks at the event. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam repatriates remains of US MIA servicemen

Vietnamese Deputy Minister of National Defence Sen. Lieut. Gen. Hoang Xuan Chien voiced his confidence that sustained goodwill and joint action would allow both sides to tackle lingering war consequences while broadening cooperation across other domains, which, he described as the best way to heal physical, emotional, and societal scars and fostering the stronger Vietnam - US relationship.