Viet Nam’s Mekong Delta, a crucial agricultural region for both the country and global food markets, is facing significant challenges due to decades of intensive development, rising sea levels, and unpredictable weather. In response, the Vietnamese government and local communities have initiated innovative approaches to adapt to these environmental pressures.
The World Bank recently facilitated a knowledge exchange in the Mekong Delta that brought together over 30 senior officials from Viet Nam, India, Cambodia, and Bangladesh. The event aimed to share practical solutions developed through World Bank-financed projects.
“This knowledge exchange is an opportunity to explore the innovative solutions developed, understand the collaborative spirit that has driven change in the face of immense challenges, and witness firsthand the progress made,” said Nguyen Hoang Ai Phuong, Senior Environmental Specialist at World Bank Viet Nam.
Central to Viet Nam’s strategy is the Mekong Delta Regional Master Plan. This plan combines infrastructure with nature-based solutions and decision support systems. It moves away from temporary fixes toward long-term management frameworks. Oeung Chantha, Under Secretary of State from Cambodia’s Ministry of Water Resources and Meteorology, commented: “The most interesting part is the Mekong Delta Master Plan—from how it was developed to how Viet Nam is now implementing it.”
Participants compared their national strategies for coastal resilience and discussed how models used in Viet Nam could be adapted elsewhere in South and Southeast Asia. Indian representatives shared experiences from integrated coastal zone management efforts with their counterparts from Bangladesh, Cambodia, and Viet Nam.
“One of the most valuable lessons is the importance of not fighting nature, but rather building in harmony with it,” said Smitha Raghunathan Nair Director at India’s Department of Science, Technology & Environment.
Field visits in Ca Mau province allowed delegates to observe community-driven initiatives such as mangrove restoration sites and shrimp–forest cooperatives. These projects link engineering with ecosystem preservation while supporting local livelihoods. Nguyen Van Su, Director of Ca Mau Cape Tourism Area Management Board at Ca Mau Cape National Park explained: “We link with the community so that they can increase their income and livelihoods... Because if their livelihoods are not secure, they won’t participate.” He added that without community involvement long-term management goals would be at risk.
Delegates also learned about hybrid coastal protection measures—such as combining mangrove belts with engineered structures—that help safeguard shorelines while promoting biodiversity. They examined sustainable shrimp farming practices designed to minimize environmental impact while improving economic opportunities.
Reflection sessions during the exchange focused on identifying next steps for adapting or scaling up successful models in participants’ home countries. Oeung Chantha highlighted Cambodia’s interest in moving beyond short-term responses toward more strategic planning based on scientific capacity.
Deepak Bilgi, Chief Conservator of Forests and Chief Mission Director for Tamil Nadu’s Department of Environment and Climate Change (India), stated: “Tamil Nadu has been a pioneer in coastal and climate resilience. The visit to Viet Nam offered key lessons on informed decision-making, resource management, integrated planning, and the benefits of a Mekong Delta–style data center and landscape-level planning.”
Mariam J. Sherman, World Bank Division Director for Viet Nam, Cambodia, and Lao PDR concluded: “We truly see opportunities. Here in the Mekong Delta... people here have transformed [challenges] into opportunity and that is exactly the mindset we need as we move forward.”
The knowledge exchange was organized alongside Vietnamese ministries and research institutes with financial backing from international partners including Korea Green Growth Trust Fund and Australia through its partnership with the World Bank.