Mekong Delta takes measures against saltwater intrusion
The Department of Water Resources Management under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment has warned localities in the Mekong Delta to prepare plans to cope with saltwater intrusion.
Farmers in Mekong Delta are facing a shortage of clean water due to the low water level of the Mekong River. (Photo: VNA)
HoChi Minh City (VNS/VNA) 𝓰— The Department of Water Resources Managementunder the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment has warned localitiesin the Mekong Delta to prepare plans to cope with saltwater intrusion.
The Mekong River hasfallen to "abnormal" levels, threatening the livelihoods of 60million people living along its lower course. The drop was partlycaused by restriction on water flows from the upper reach of the river fromJanuary 5 to 24, which dropped to 800cu.m per sec. The normallevel is 1,400cu.m per sec. According to theSouthern Institute of Irrigation Science, the drop in water level inthe upper Mekong River for 20 consecutive days in January lowered waterlevels and allowed saltwater intrusion in Delta provinces. According to thedepartment, saltwater intrusion will continue to affect the area until theend of March. Local authorities inthe Delta have begun taking measures to cope with the effects ofsaltwater intrusion. The delta’s 12 provincesand Can Tho City are ensuring water supply for households in the next dryseason. They have been upgrading water supply works and building new ones, andhave instructed households to store clean water. Ben Tre province hasencouraged households in saltwater-prone and drought-prone areas to store freshwater and rainwater. Many households in theseareas are using water pots, cement containers and other receptacles to storefresh water for household use. In An Giang province,irrigation canals have been dredged and sluices upgraded to store fresh water. The provinces in coastalareas have upgraded irrigation systems to protect crops and aquaculture. Farmers have beenencouraged to use advanced farming techniques to cope with the shortage offresh water. To store fresh water,the Tra Vinh province People’s Committee has decided to dredge 10 irrigationcanals at a total cost of 69 billion VND (3 million USD). Sea dykes,embankments and other infrastructure will also be inspected and repaired. In recent years, thedelta, the country’s largest rice, fruit and seafood producer, has faced severesaltwater intrusion from the sea./.
The outcomes of the national science-technology programme on responding to climate change and managing natural resources and the environment in 2016-2020 can be applied in multiple fields in society, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Tran Hong Ha has said.
Saltwater intrusion in the Mekong Delta in the 2020-2021 dry season will be less severe than in the 2019-2020 dry season, with the highest level expected to be in February and March in Mekong River estuary and in March and April in Vam Co and Cai Lon rivers.
A severe period of saltwater intrusion in the Mekong Delta due to lower water levels upstream is expected to fall from February 8 to 16 as Vietnam celebrates the Lunar New Year (Tet) festival.
The most severe saline intrusion - the movement of ocean saltwater into riverine freshwater - is said to occur in the Mekong Delta region from February 8 to 16, coinciding with the Tet (Lunar New Year) holiday, since Chinese hydro-power plants have reduced their water discharge, which affects water flows downstream on the Mekong River, experts have said.
Improving the capacity of hydro-meteorological monitoring and forecasting as well as strengthening international cooperation are identified as two major tasks of the national hydro-meteorological sector in the future.
Vietnam ranked among the top four countries and territories at the 2025 International Olympiad on Artificial Intelligence (IOAI), reaffirming its strong position in international academic competitions.
All 20 crew members aboard the Vietnamese oil tanker GT Unity were successfully rescued from a fire in the vessel’s engine room, thanks to the swift response of the Liberian-flagged ship Androusa and Vietnamese maritime rescue teams.
Describing Agent Orange as one of the most severe and enduring legacies of the war in Vietnam, Vietnam's former Honorary Consul to Belgium Joseph-Michel de Grand Ry warned that its impact – still affecting generations more than five decades later – could last another two to three decades.
Running from August 4 to September 2, under the hashtag #TuHaoVietNam, the campaign invites participants in two categories: “I Love My Country” video clips and “I Love My Country” check-in photos.
Decree No. 219/2025/ND-CP, which took effect on the issuance date, introduces amendments that integrate the procedure for reporting and explaining the demand for foreign workers into the process of submitting applications for work permits.
With a tight 13-month deadline, the move is under a strategic and urgent policy to bridge educational gaps, train the local workforce, and shore up territorial sovereignty in some of the country’s most remote areas.
The parade and personnel send-off ceremony will officially take place on August 10 at the area surrounding the Statue of King Ly Thai To and Dinh Tien Hoang street of Hoan Kiem ward, with the participation of nearly 3,000 officers, soldiers, and local residents.
According to national technical regulations, AIS installation is mandatory for boats carrying more than 50 passengers. However, operators of smaller vessels (under 50 seats) in Ha Long Bay have voluntarily committed to completing installation by the deadline to enhance operational safety.
The activities include a Vietnamese language teaching training course for overseas Vietnamese teachers from August 13 to 28 in Hanoi, Ninh Binh, and Thai Nguyen.
Specifically, the ships will carry out patrols from 7am to 6pm daily along the main tourist routes in Ha Long Bay, with one ship permanently stationed at Ti Top island. From 6pm to 7am the following day, the mobile vessels return to Tuan Chau island to maintain a 24/7 on-call duty shift, ensuring constant readiness.
The Ministry of Construction (MoC) plans to open to traffic 208km of expressways of six key projects by August 19, bringing the country’s total expressway network to 2,476km.
As of July 1, a two-tier local government model started in 34 provinces and cities, streamlining administration but creating a surplus of public properties. If not promptly addressed, these assets could become a financial burden.
Whether they grow up to become journalists, diplomats, or professionals in other fields, these children can one day become bridges of friendship and cooperation, telling new and inspiring stories of Vietnam – China relations, said Ambassador Pham Thanh Binh.
A 21-year-old Indian tourist was successfully resuscitated and treated by doctors at Hoan My Da Nang Hospital after a near-drowning incident left him in critical condition. After three days of intensive care, the man was discharged from the hospital and has since returned to India.
In an document issued on August 5, the PM emphasised the need to stablise living conditions for people hit by floods, landslides, and flash floods in late July and early August in northern and north-central provinces, especially Dien Bien, Son La, and Nghe An which suffered some of the worst damage.
Although millions of Vietnamese were affected by AO, only over 626,000 individuals, including war veterans and their children suffering from dioxin-related conditions, are currently receiving state benefits.
The team’s haul, including one Champion title, 10 golds, seven silvers, and four bronzes, surpassed expectations. Vietnam, competing since 2019, has secured over 200 AIMO medals, cementing its regional standing.
The guiding principle for revising the national energy master plan is that energy development must align with the country’s socio-economic development strategy. The energy system should be optimised as a whole, targeting sustainable and diverse development to ensure stable and adequate energy supply to meet national goals.
The Vietnam Disability Fashion Show 2025 aimed to honour the diverse beauty of individuals, promote humanistic values, and foster equality and social inclusion.
Farmers in Mekong Delta are facing a shortage of clean water due to the low water level of the Mekong River. (Photo: VNA) 
