Editor’s choice
Editor’s choice
The Mekong Delta in Vietnam is facing rising sea levels, salinisation, and prolonged droughts that threaten to alter the landscape irreversibly. An article in India’s Frontline magazine by SEI Asia’s Rajesh Daniel and My Le.
An endless expanse of paddy fields in the Mekong delta. Photo: Rajesh Daniel / SEI Asia.
The Mekong delta in Vietnam is a world in itself, where water and earth intertwine in a primeval dance, creating a region of incredible fecundity and profound beauty, a testament not only to nature’s bounty but also its relentlessness. Yet, beneath this surface of life and abundance, the Mekong delta is on the front lines of a deadly battle against climate change and environmental degradation.
A paper published in Sustainability 1 in 2020 pointed out that rising sea levels and erratic rainfall are causing more frequent and intense floods, even in urban areas. And a study in Agricultural Water Management2 in 2020 showed that salt-water intrusion had gone deep into the inland paddy fields as a consequence of rising sea levels, while prolonged droughts were turning fertile fields into barren wastelands.
Past event / SEI and Mekong Institute (MI) will renew their shared commitment for sustainable development and climate resilience in the Mekong Region.
Perspective / Collaborative and multi-benefit approaches with nature-based solutions can help build a resilient, equitable water future for the Mekong Region.
Past event / SEI Asia will be leading the panel discussion on youth leadership at Mekong-Lancang Cooperation Week 2026 on 25 March.
