Historic drought and salinity intrusion in the Mekong Delta in 2016: Lessons learned and response solutions

Abstract

During the dry season of 2015-2016, the Mekong Delta had suffered the worst historic drought and salinity intrusion occurrence on record, causing heavy damages to nine coastal provinces (in total 13 provinces) of the Mekong River Delta. Just after the drought and salinity intrusion occurred, the media offered some different opinions suggesting possible solution which offer effective responses and stable development to coastal regions. The author suggests that in order to have sustainable development for the Mekong Delta in general and for the coastal zones in particular, Vietnam needs to have some basic short-term and long-term solutions, for each region as well as the whole delta, including drought-salinity intrusion and flooding programs, structural and non-structural works, and coverage for both the Mekong Delta and the whole Mekong River Basin.