VietNamNet Bridge - Mekong Delta, the rice granary of Vietnam, is facing three challenges due to the impact of climate change, unsustainable development and hydropower plants on the Mekong River, according to Nguyen Huu Thien, an independent expert on Mekong Delta ecology. The closed dykes in Dong Thap Muoi and Long Xuyen Quadrangle have increased the water level by 5 cm in Can Tho City and 3 cm in My Thuan. The closed dykes in Dong Thap Muoi and Long Xuyen Quadrangle have increased the water level by 5 cm in Can Tho City and 3 cm in My Thuan. RELATED NEWS Mekong Delta during the flood season Land subsidence, rising seas threaten Mekong Delta Kim Chi … [Read more...] about Mekong Delta faces three big challenges caused by climate change
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Shrimp farms in Mekong Delta devastated by disease
The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has said that more than 100 hectares of shrimp breeding area has suffered losses due to widespread disease in the Mekong Delta. The disease has wiped out more than 91 hectares of tiger prawn breeding farms and 7,000 hectares of shrimp breeding area, possibly by liver necrosis, said experts. The disease has caused huge economic losses and badly affected volume and exports. Shrimp farmers in the Mekong Delta, particularly in coastal provinces of Soc Trang, Bac Lieu, Ben Tre, Tra Vinh and Ca Mau are suffering unprecedented losses due to the disease. This year around 657,500 hectares of shrimp farms produced 476,400 tons of shrimp. Compared to 2011, the farming area increased by 2 percent but the volume has reduced by 3.9 percent, due to widespread disease. The Mekong Delta is the country’s largest shrimp farming area covering 5,957 hectares that produces about 3,584 tons of shrimps. … [Read more...] about Shrimp farms in Mekong Delta devastated by disease
Mekong Delta upgrade infrastructure to promote tourism
In which, Tram Chim National Park, Nguyen Sinh Sac and Xeo Quyt relic sites were among the popular attractions. To boost tourism, the province has also promoted ecotourism and created tours to local fruit gardens.According to Nguyen Ngoc Thuong, director of the provincial Culture, Sports, and Tourism Department, the development plans, including better infrastructure and effective promotion campaigns, had brought about positive changes to the tourism sector.Around 5.3 million tourists visited Can Tho city in the first eight months of the year, up 43 percent year-on-year, according to the municipal Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism. The city welcomed 76,700 arrivals during the National Day (September 2) holiday period, generating more than 48 billion VND (over 2 million USD) in revenue. The department aims to attract 5.5 million arrivals and earn 2 trillion VND (88 million USD) this year.Since Kien Giang has the most tourism potential in the Delta, the province in recent years … [Read more...] about Mekong Delta upgrade infrastructure to promote tourism
Mekong Delta awaits major tourism investors
The Mekong Delta needs to attract large investors for tourism infrastructure development Lack of accommodationsIn terms of tourism revenue, although it has grown more than 10 percent annually, the Mekong Delta is still at the bottom of the list of localities nationwide due to its poor range of tourist offerings and tourism infrastructure. In 2016, the Mekong Delta welcomed 28 million visitors (including 2.5 million foreign visitors), earning revenues of VND15 trillion. In the first half of 2017, the region attracted almost 21 million visitors, earning revenues of VND6.5 trillion plus, up 17 and 22 percent from the same time in 2016.Under the Mekong Delta tourism development plan, approved by the government in November 2016, the region will attract 34 million and 52 million visitors, including 3.5 million and 6.5 million foreign visitors, earning revenue of VND25 trillion and VND111 trillion by 2020 and 2030, respectively. The region should have 53,000 and 100,000 … [Read more...] about Mekong Delta awaits major tourism investors
Mekong Delta: Adapt to saltwater intrusion by using aquaculture
VietNamNet Bridge - Instead of trying to prevent saltwater invasion and desalinizing, it would be better to adapt to the new circumstances and think of developing aquaculture in Mekong Delta, scientists say. In the Mekong Delta, one of the largest key agriculture production zones in the country, alkaline soil accounts for 18.6 percent of total area, located along the East Coast belt and the Gulf of Thailand. In the context of climate change, desalinizing is an impossible mission, or will be too costly. Meanwhile, alum land accounts for 40 percent of the zone’s total area, mostly located in depression areas, where it is very difficult to clear alum. Scientists have warned that saline intrusion would reach more deeply into the mainland in the future as a result of climate change. Le Quoc Anh, head of the team carrying out research on turning challenges in Mekong Delta into opportunities for development, pointed out that saline intrusion cannot be prevented, so the best … [Read more...] about Mekong Delta: Adapt to saltwater intrusion by using aquaculture