Mekong Delta

Update news Mekong Delta

Dong Thap extends state of emergency, erosion continues

The southern province of Dong Thap on Wednesday extended its state of emergency as the erosion worsened, with a section of the riverbank covering some 600m affected so far.

China builds hydropower plant in Laos, poses threat to Mekong Delta

VietNamNet Bridge - Experts have pointed out that field research results about the Pak Beng hydropower project in Laos are sketchy and do not provide sufficient information. 

Vietnam struggles to find solutions to prevent landslides

VietNamNet Bridge - Resources have been applied to prevent landslides in the Mekong Delta, but the problem has proven to be difficult to solve.  

Lack of water threatens localities in Vietnam

More than 60 percent of water to Vietnam comes from other countries. Scientists have warned that 45 percent of land area in the southern region will suffer serious saline intrusion in the future.

What is causing the death of rivers?

VietNamNet Bridge - Rapid population increase and urbanization have put pressure on waterways in the country. 

Agricultural production models for extreme weather proposed

VietNamNet Bridge - Saline intrusion, unexpected hot and cold weather, and tropical low pressure that causes long rains are all influencing agricultural production and people's lives.

Mekong Delta protective forests wiped away by rising waters

VietNamNet Bridge - Thousands of households along the coast in Ca Mau province have been living in fear as hundreds of meters of protective forests have been lost to the sea each year.

Landslides threaten coastal provinces

VietNamNet Bridge - Landslides have been eroding coastal areas and tourism sites, seriously affecting the lives of thousands of people.

Environmental groups call for reconsideration of thermal power plan

Several coal thermal power plants are expected to be built in the Mekong Delta under the 2011-2020 plan for national power development. What are the options for energy development in Vietnam?

Land subsidence in Mekong Delta worsens

VietNamNet Bridge - Land subsidence in the Mekong Delta is becoming increasingly serious, caused mainly by overexploitation of underground water.

Mekong Delta takes urgent steps to prevent drought

Last year’s drought devastated crops and caused serious losses for farmers in the Mekong Delta. This year, authorities are restructuring crops, building dykes and erecting sluices in anticipation of continuing weather disasters.  

South to see less drought, more dry season rain

Weather experts expect the southern region to  experience less drought and salinity and more unseasonal rain during this year’s dry season.

Climate change to challenge Mekong River Delta in 2017

VietNamNet Bridge – Signs of growth stagnation in the Mekong Delta in recent years have been blamed on climate change, which has contributed to drought and saline intrusion.

Mekong water diplomacy vital

Dr Le Tuan Anh, deputy director of the Research Institute for Climate Change at Can Tho University, speaks to Sai Gon Giai Phong newspaper about the negative impact of climate change.

Mekong Delta stores water to prevent saline intrusion in dry season

VietNamNet Bridge - The volume of freshwater on canals in the Mekong Delta has decreased quickly, while saline intrusion has begun in many areas.

Mekong Delta learns to ‘live in peace’ with saltwater

VietNamNet Bridge - Ten years ago, Vietnam began calling upon farmers to restructure agricultural production, but no considerable changes have occurred. 

Three fish species known as ‘sea monsters’ in danger of extinction

Ca ho (Catlocarpio siamensis), vo co (Pangaius sannitwongsei) and tra dau (Pangasianodon gigas) living in the Mekong Delta are all large-size fish which can reach 300 kilos in weight and three meters in length. They are all in danger of extinction.

Shrimp waste used to make animal feed, biological derivatives

VietNamNet Bridge - Shrimp waste - heads and shells – are being used to produce animal feed and biological derivatives, resulting in high profits and a reduction of air pollution at processing plants. 

Threat of bird flu hangs over Mekong Delta

 VietNamNet Bridge – Mekong Delta provinces face a threat of H5N1 bird flu with the disease season just starting and farmers leaving their ducks to freely feed in fields following the completion of the winter-spring rice harvest.

Unseasonal rains hurt Mekong Delta crops

Recent torrential rains in many Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta provinces in what is the dry season have damaged crops, including fruit trees.