EU, France support Vietnam to tackle coastal erosion hinh anh 1Cua Dai beach (Photo: VNA)
Quang Nam (VNA) – A workshop was held in the central province of Quang Nam on May 25 to review scientific studies on coastal erosion in Ca Mau, Tien Giang, and Quang Nam.

The studies were conducted by the Southern Institute of Water Resources Research, the Central Region College Technology – Economics and Water Resources, and the French Development Agency with financial support from the European Union (EU) and France.

The studies examined the causes of coastal erosion, which has damaged several regions in Vietnam, affecting the livelihoods of locals.

This will help establish a scientific basis for the integrated management of Vietnamese coastal areas and the proposal of measures for protection of coastal areas from erosion.

An investment programme worth nearly 87 million EUR will be built with adaptive measures such as constructing dykes, rehabilitating mangrove forests, and enhancing capacity for sustainable development and environmental management.

Chairman of the Quang Nam People’s Committee Dinh Van Thu said Quang Nam has more than 125 km of coastline, including Hoi An which has huge tourism potential.

However, erosion in Hoi An Beach in recent times has become severe, he said, noting that on average, the sea crashes deep into the land at a height of about 10-15m and about 2km in length. 

Prof. Dr. Nguyen Kim Dan said the studies were carried out since July 2016 with various measures designed to protect the coast, such as forbidding all forms of sand mining along the Thu Bon River and near the Cua Dai and Hoi An coastal areas and dredging along the left bank of the Cua Dai estuary.

French Ambassador to Vietnam Bertrand Lortholary said the French government has decided to support the research to identify the causes of Hoi An’s erosion and put forth measures to address the problem.

The European country will also call for other financial resources to build a mangrove forest system for coastal protection in Vietnam, he added.

Together with support from the EU, French development finance will improve Vietnam’s resilience to climate change, sustainable management of flood risk, coastal protection from erosion and recovery of coastal mangrove plantations.

During the workshop, scientists also proposed solutions to rescuing Cua Dai coast.-VNA
VNA