Mekong Delta must avoid subjectivity in climate change response
Localities and ministries must steer clear of subjectivity and strive to find new models for climate change adaption, Deputy Prime Minister Vuong Dinh Hue told a meeting on September 26.
Deputy Prime Minister Vuong Dinh Hue speaks at the meeting (Photo: VNA)
Ca Mau (VNA) – Localities and ministries must steer clear of subjectivity and strive tꦰo find new models for climate change adaption, Deputy Prime Minister Vuong Dinh Hue told a meeting on September 26.
At the event in the Mekong Delta province of Ca Mau, he said climate change has posed challenges affecting development, the environment and local livelihoods.
He asked ministries and central agencies to work closely with the Steering Committee for the Southwestern Region and the People’s Committees of the Mekong Delta localities to devise climate change adaptation plans.
Climate change response must be included in local development plans, he noted, suggesting Mekong Delta authorities re-organise operations of irrigation networks and anti-saltwater culverts while reinforcing and building new sea dykes. They should also raise public awareness of climate change.
The Mekong Delta comprises 12 provinces and one centrally-run city, covering about 40,000 sq.km. of land or 12.3 percent of Vietnam’s total area. It is home to 18 million people, accounting for 20 percent of the country’s population.
The region has low and flat terrain which is about 0.7 – 1.2 metres above the sea level, leaving it vulnerable to the impacts of climate change such as tidal surges and saltwater intrusion, according to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment.
About 50 percent of the Mekong Delta is flooded for three-four months every year while 40 percent of its area is affected by saline intrusion. However, the effects of climate change have worsened, with the region suffering from serious floods and saltwater intrusion.
At the meeting, the ministry called for synchronous solutions to be taken to cope with climate change.
Also on September 26, Deputy PM Hue attended a ceremony starting the construction of a wind power plant in Dat Mui commune of Ngoc Hien district in Ca Mau.
The plant, located at Khai Long tourism site, will cover 2,185ha and feature 50 wind turbines with a combined capacity of 100 MW. It is expected to generate 280 million KWh of electricity when operational.-VNA
The Delta city of Can Tho wants to cooperate with Canada in water management through the establishment of a research institute and human resources training in the field.
Mariam Sherman, World Bank Country Director for Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia, said the World Bank remains committed to working with the Vietnamese government to develop the next phase of climate resilience and transformation for the Mekong Delta.
Under the directive, the PM instructed relevant agencies to regularly inspect, supervise and proactively implement disaster prevention, response and rescue measures in line with their assigned roles and mandates, ensuring readiness, avoiding passivity or delays, and maintaining operational continuity amid ongoing political and administrative restructuring at levels.
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.
Deputy Prime Minister Vuong Dinh Hue speaks at the meeting (Photo: VNA)
