Environment

Mekong Delta seeks solutions to saltwater intrusion

Measures to control saltwater intrusion and store freshwater in the Mekong Delta region were shared at a workshop held in Hau Giang province on July 13.
Mekong Delta seeks solutions to saltwater intrusion ảnh 1A family in Kien Giang is pumping freshwater in a big jar for storage. Lack of freshwater is still a problem in Mekong Delta. (Source: VNA)

Hau Giang (VNA) – Measures to control saltwater intrusion and store freshwater in the Mekong Delta region were shared at a workshop held in Hau Giang province on July 13 as part of the ongoing Mekong Delta Economic Cooperation Forum 2016 (MDEC).

The event was jointly organised by the Steering Committee for the Southwest Region, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Hau Giang provincial People’s Committee.

According to Prof. Dr. Nguyen Ngoc Tran, cross-border hydrometeorological forecasting is needed to cope with climate change in the delta as well as serve the sustainable development of countries sharing the Mekong River.

To efficiently manage the Mekong River water resources and risks from climate change, the sharing of hydrological data and the operational mechanisms of hydroelectricity dams among countries in the river’s basin must be an obligatory requirement, he said.

Ministries, the Vietnam National Mekong Committee and scientists need to discover, follow and assess the impacts of projects exploiting water resources in the upper reaches from the beginning, including the use of satellite images to point out possible impacts as a basis for the government to negotiate with other countries for the interests of the delta, the nation and the whole basin, he added.

At a macro level, according to Tran, it is time for the six countries in the Mekong River basin to build a mechanism for using water resources in the spirit of cooperation for mutual development. All projects exploiting the river’s water must present environmental impact assessments in the intermediate, medium and long terms.

Nguyen Quoc Viet, Deputy Head of the Steering Committee for the Southwest Region, spoke highly of the workshop, saying that it helped the Mekong Delta region seek solutions to its sustainable development in the context of climate change.

In the first six months of 2016, drought and saltwater intrusion in the Mekong Delta damaged nearly 300,000 hectares of rice, vegetables and fruit trees as well as nearly 3,100 hectares of freshwater fish. More than 230,000 people were deprived of water for daily use.-VNA

VNA
#MDEC #Mekong Delta #Hau Giang #freshwater #salt intrusion
Follow VietnamPlus

Related News

Mekong River’s water resources shared

Mekong River’s water resources shared

The water discharged from China’s Jinghong Hydropower Station to the lower reaches of the Mekong River is expected to arrive in Vietnam from April 4.
Mekong provinces help locals fight drought

Mekong provinces help locals fight drought

Authorities in the Mekong Delta provinces have helped locals cope with the prolonged drought and salinity in rivers, minimising the losses caused by the twin disasters.

See more

White-rumped langurs are rescued and conserved at the Endangered Primate Rescue Centre (EPRC) in Cuc Phuong National Park. (Photo: VNA)

Ninh Binh establishes Kim Bang white-rumped langur conservation area

Covering a total area of 3,182ha, the conservation area comprises 3,016.81ha of natural forest, 64.25ha of plantation forest and 100.94ha of land without forest, with no water surface area. It is located in the Ly Thuong Kiet, Tam Chuc and Nguyen Uy wards of Ninh Binh province.

The forum takes place in Hanoi on August 25, 2026. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam, RoK promote cooperation to deliver on net-zero commitments

Sectors such as semiconductor manufacturing, nuclear power, science and advanced technologies are playing an increasingly important role in national competitiveness and economic development of each country. They also offer considerable room for Vietnam and the RoK to expand professional exchanges, share experience and promote cooperation, particularly among their energy experts.

Storm Narra's projected path as of 7:00 on August 22. (Photo: National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting)

Storm brings heavy rains to northern Vietnam

Storm Narra, the fourth to hit the East Sea this year, brought strong winds and heavy rains to northern Vietnam on early August 22, with some areas forecast to receive more than 500mm of rain as the storm moves slowly over the northern waters of the East Sea.

A view of the meeting between Phu Tho authorities and a visiting delegation from Germany's KfW Development Bank in the province on August 20, 2026. (Photo: VNA)

Phu Tho, German bank discuss wastewater treatment plan for Da River's left bank

The project is being implemented in the former Hoa Binh city, now Hoa Binh ward. It has a total investment of 688.7 billion VND (26.38 million USD), including 507.3 billion VND in ODA and 181.4 billion VND in counterpart funding. Major components include a wastewater treatment plant, pumping stations, a collection network, and connection infrastructure.

Construction workers reinforce steel and pour concrete to cover the underground drainage channel, helping collect rainwater and tackle flooding in Da Nang. (Photo: VNA)

A new “shield” against climate change

Smart urban areas are no longer simply about technology; they are becoming a tool that enables authorities to forecast risks, adapt quickly and protect their residents.

Vietnam is exerting efforts to cope with climate change. (Illustrative photo: VNA)

Vietnam approves carbon credit pact with Singapore under Paris Agreement

Signed on September 16, 2025, the Implementation Agreement on carbon credits collaboration under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement on climate change affirms Vietnam and Singapore’s pioneering role and commitment to close cooperation in the international carbon market, making a substantive contribution to global climate response.

A view of Vo Cuong ward, Bac Ninh province (Photo: VNA)

Bac Ninh earmarks over 1.7 billion USD for environmental protection

By 2030, Bac Ninh aims to ensure that all operating industrial clusters and industrial parks have centralised wastewater treatment systems meeting standards, while at least 95% of wastewater in Grade-I urban areas and 70% in Grade-II urban areas is collected and treated to required standards.