Vietnam is taking significant steps to address environmental challenges in the Mekong Delta by adopting nature-based solutions to mitigate land subsidence, saltwater intrusion, and flooding.
Vietnam's new initiatives focus on adapting infrastructure, such as dikes and dams, to work with natural flood cycles rather than against them.
The region has seen increased international support and funding for projects that promote ecological health and sustainable agriculture.
Local innovations, like multi-value farming systems that integrate aquaculture with crop production, are being encouraged to enhance biodiversity and economic resilience.
Key quote:
“For restoring an entire socio-environmental system like the Mekong Delta that is fundamentally threatened by human activities requires us to rethink nature-based solutions beyond the mere local restoration of vegetation.”
— Rafael Schmitt, lead scientist at Stanford University’s Natural Capital Project
Why this matters:
Studies indicate that parts of the Mekong Delta are sinking due to excessive groundwater extraction and the weight of urban structures. Coupled with rising sea levels, the scenario could lead to significant territorial loss if left unchecked. By leveraging nature-based solutions, Vietnam could pave the way for a sustainable model of development that other regions might follow.
New research shows that the drift of microplastics from the Mekong River to the coastlines of countries around the South China Sea depends on variable factors, including seasonal changes in winds and ocean currents.
Experts view the South China Sea as the most probable area of conflict in Asia. Their attention now has also turned to the Mekong River, where the economic and environmental stakes are arguably much higher.
