Conference seeks safe water supply for Mekong Delta
The Ministry of Construction is calling for support for and experience sharing in management and operation of a World Bank-funded project to secure water supply in the Mekong Delta region.
Locals in Hau Giang build dyke to prevent saline intrusion (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – T♏he Ministry of Construction is calling for support for and experience sharing in management and operation of a World Bank-funded project to secure water supply in the Mekong Delta region amid impacts of drought and saline intrusion, heard a round-table conference held in Hanoi on June 20.
According to Minister of Construction Pham Hong Ha, the project is billed as a significant solution to water supply security, social welfare and environment protection in Mekong Delta localities by 2030.
However, Ha said that the project will face formidable challenges in capital, management capacity and experience.
Ousmane Dione, Practice Manager of East Asia and Pacific Programme, Water Global Practice of the WB, noted that the project implementation becomes even more exigent as the region has experienced critical saline intrusion and shortage of potable water.
He underscored that the WB commits to providing both financial and knowledge support for Vietnam during the implementation the project.
Meanwhile, Deputy Minister of Construction Phan Thi My Linh highlighted that the ministry has joined hands with localities and the WB to seek additional capital for the project, adding that meticulous review and prompt adjustments have been made to meet the investor’s demands.
The ministry will also work with relevant agencies to identify support in finance, technique and mechanism in accordance with the capacity of each donor to deal with the water supply security for the region in short, medium and long terms, she said.
Covering an area of 40,000 square kilometres, the Mekong Delta has one city and 12 provinces with a total population of 17.5 million people. The region is confronting disastrous influences from climate change.
On the outset of this year, saline intrusion occurred in ten regional localities. About 230,000 households as well as schools, clinics and hotels were short of fresh water in April.-VNA
Farmers in provinces in the Central Highlands region have shifted to growing vegetables and annual fruit trees on areas that have been facing water shortages in 2016.
According to Dr. Vu Anh Tuan, Deputy Director General of the Vietnam Space Centre and head of the project, this is the first study in Vietnam to simultaneously employ Sentinel-2 satellite data, advanced machine learning algorithms, and the Google Earth Engine (GEE) cloud computing platform to model and monitor key seawater quality parameters.
The Deposit Return System is seen as a potential instrument for effectively advancing Vietnam’s vision of a circular economy, as outlined in Article 142 of the 2020 Law on Environmental Protection.
The figures were highlighted in a Pre-Feasibility Study on a DRS tailored for single-use beverage packaging in Vietnam, conducted by Eunomia Research & Consulting.
Young people should not view AI as salvation but rather as a tool under human control. Young creators should focus on learning and accumulating practical knowledge, using AI as a tool to carry out artistic projects in the most effective and cost-efficient manner.
Saigon Hi-Tech Park’s ambitious 50% renewable energy goal far exceeds the city’s 15% target, positioning the park as a trailblazing “living lab” for sustainable energy solutions.
Vietnam's economic losses from natural disasters are estimated to account for 1 to 1.5% of GDP annually - a steep price that will continue to rise unless the country takes strong action.
Wutip, the first storm in the East Sea so far this year, has wreaked havoc across central Vietnam, claiming lives, displacing residents, and causing widespread damage to houses, crops, and infrastructure, the Department of Dyke Management and Disaster Prevention and Control reported as of 6:30 pm on June 13.
The tremor occurred at 7:39:46 am (Hanoi time), with the epicentre located at latitude 14.924°N and longitude 108.236°E, at a depth of approximately 8.1 kilometres. The natural disaster risk level was classified as 0 – the lowest on the scale.
Addressing a session on “Accelerating Financing for Resilience: Tailored Solutions for Disaster Risk Reduction,” Deputy Minister Hiep emphasised Vietnam's proposal in building sustainable financing in response to natural disasters, which aligns with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction's goals.
Vietnam has demonstrated its strong commitments by participating in global sustainable development forums, signing multiple free trade agreements, and attracting support from international partners for the implementation of the SDGs.
The fight against plastic pollution could not succeed through isolated efforts, but it must be a collective endeavour involving the entire political system, businesses, citizens, and the international community, said Minister of Agriculture and Environment Do Duc Duy.
Lang Son Global Geopark, with its outstanding geological values, cultural heritage, and unique natural landscapes, represents a valuable addition to UNESCO’s global geoparks system.
In 2019, Quang Ninh became one of the first localities in Vietnam to launch a province-wide campaign against plastic waste, mobilising the participation of the political system, the business sector, and the general public. Other localities—such as Hai Phong, Da Nang, Binh Duong, and Ho Chi Minh City—have also effectively implemented waste-sorting initiatives at source, along with models for plastic-free markets and urban areas.
This year’s World Oceans Day on June 8 is themed 'Wonderful Oceans: Sustaining What Sustains Us', while World Environment Day is on June 5 with the theme: 'Beat Plastic Pollution'.
According to Director of the provincial Department of Agriculture and Environment Le Huu Toan, a fire prevention and control plan has been in place since the dry season began, including round-the-clock patrols and rapid-response teams to snuff out fires before they could spread.
Renowned artists including Ha Anh Tuan, Den Vau, and Phan Manh Quynh, along with many directors and attendees, took part in planting hundreds of rare tree species such as mun (Diospyros mun) and cho chi (Parashorea chinensis) in the Thung Bong area of the Cuc Phuong National Park, contributing to forest ecosystem restoration.
The dispatch noted that since the beginning of 2025, natural disasters have claimed 29 lives and left several others missing. A total of 67 houses have collapsed, and 2,342 homes have been unroofed or damaged.
Its Forest Protection Sub-department has applied various specialised software and information technologies in forest management and protection and fire prevention.
Locals in Hau Giang build dyke to prevent saline intrusion (Photo: VNA)
