That is dramatically lower than the 2.6 meters assumed earlier from NASA's Shuttle Radar Topography Missions data. The region, which spreads over 40,577 square kilometers (over 10 million acres) and is currently home to 21.49 million people, is one of the largest and seemingly lowest delta plains in the world. "While ongoing land subsidence increases the rate of relative sea level rise, the sediment load of the Mekong River to counterbalance relative sea-level rise with sediment accretion on the delta plain is dwindling due to upstream dam construction and decreased hurricane activity in the Mekong catchment," the study published on Nature Communications warned. It estimated that at its current rate of subsidence the delta could see seawater covering the 0.8 meters within 57 years, requiring over 12 million people living in areas that would be inundated by the sea following a rise of one meter to relocate. That figure is double the number predicted earlier of more than five … [Read more...] about Mekong Delta closer to sea than previously thought: study
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Accelerating sustainable development in Mekong Delta region
Illustration photo Resolution 120 stipulates a new vision, strategic orientation, comprehensive, radical and synchronous solutions, to maximally mobilize resources and to attract participation of different economic stakeholders for sustainable development of the Mekong Delta. After two years, besides positive achievements, the implementation of the Resolution was slow and inefficient due to the lack of attention of agencies and localities to both research work and resource mobilization for solutions to alleviate adverse impacts of climate change and meet demands of sustainable socio-economic development. Meanwhile, climate change has become unexpected and extreme in combination with increasing exploitation of natural resources in the upstream and internal areas, serious landslides and saltwater instruction. Forging sustainable mechanisms Under the Directive, the PM stressed the necessity to boost regional connectivity during the process of making mechanisms and policies on … [Read more...] about Accelerating sustainable development in Mekong Delta region
Mekong Delta subsides up to 5cm each year
The Mekong Delta region is sinking between 2 and 5cm per year, Lao Dong newspaper reported (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – The Mekong Delta region is sinking between 2 and 5cm per year, Lao Dong newspaper reported, citing source from the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ). The subsidence is the most serious in urban areas of Ca Mau and Soc Trang provinces, along with Can Tho city. Statistics collected in more than 1,000 locations in the region indicated that land subsidence rate has increased. Constructions of hydropower plants in upstream Mekong River, saltwater intrusion and over-exploitation of underground water, are blamed for the situation. The Mekong Delta comprises of 12 provinces: Long An, Dong Thap, Tien Giang, An Giang, Ben Tre, Vinh Long, Tra Vinh, Hau Giang, Kien Giang, Soc Trang, Bac Lieu, and Ca Mau, along with the centrally-run city of Can Tho, with a population of more than 20 million. Being the country’s largest rice, fruit and … [Read more...] about Mekong Delta subsides up to 5cm each year
HCM City, Mekong Delta promote tourism cooperation
Deputy Prime Minister Vũ Đức Đam at the opening ceremony of the International Travel Expo HCM City (ITE HCMC). — VNS Photo Thu Hằng HCM CITY — Sustainable tourism linkages between HCM City and the Cửu Long (Mekong) Delta are needed to tap the huge tourism potential of the two areas, top leaders have said. Speaking at the first HCM City and Mekong Delta Tourism Connection Forum held on September 5 in HCM City, Deputy Prime Minister Vũ Đức Đam said the Mekong Delta should focus on building a sustainable tourism brand for the entire region. "The development of the tourism sector requires efforts from ministries and agencies to improve marketing, visa procedures, traffic and tourism infrastructure, and human resources," Đam said. "Each locality should develop tourism products based on their cultural heritage, … [Read more...] about HCM City, Mekong Delta promote tourism cooperation
Education in Mekong Delta yearning for heavy investment
Having a population of nearly 18 million people and contributing around 27 percent to the national GDP annually with a foreign currency income of US$3 billion, the Mekong Delta region should have received corresponding educational investment to regenerate the labor force. Yet statistics show that compared to the average national spending from the state budget for a kindergarten or high school student, at over VND8.372 million per year (approx. $362), the one in the Mekong Delta is merely around VND7.38 million a year ($319). This is the lowest in the whole nation. The Vietnam State Treasury reported that in the period from 2011 - 2016, local state expenditure including the subsidy of the central government on kindergarten and school education in Vietnam was around VND155,000 billion ($6.7 billion) per year, VND24,603 billion ($1.06 billion) of which was the expense in the Mekong Delta. Accounting for 17.5 percent of the total quantity of school students, this region only received 15.9 … [Read more...] about Education in Mekong Delta yearning for heavy investment