PROJECT STORY
The challenge
The effects of climate change are putting the Mekong Delta’s densely populated, rice cultivation zone at risk.
Vietnam reinforces Mekong Delta with Dutch input
Arcadis experts share their insights
The solution
Experts from the Dutch government and Arcadis compiled a package of relevant water governance recommendations to protect the area.
The impact
The Vietnamese government is applying a number of recommendations, supporting sustainable development in the Mekong Delta and boosting the area’s climate resiliency.
Food security
for Vietnam
Export
of Dutch knowledge
The challenge
As a densely populated, rice cultivation zone, the Mekong Delta is a crucial link in Vietnam's food supply chain. However, even a slight increase in sea levels would pose a risk to the region, so the country is very concerned about climate change. What are the natural and socio-economic consequences of storms, torrential rain and fresh water shortages for this densely populated agricultural region? Vietnam looked to the Netherlands for help with this complex challenge.
The solution
As a delta country, the Netherlands has amassed an immense bank of knowledge of water management and regional coordination over the centuries. Our experience with water boards, the flood protection program, the MIRT model, the triple helix model and the Delta program are just a few examples. This knowledge can also be useful in other countries, which is why nations all over the world look to the Netherlands for help with water governance. The Vietnamese government is also relying on our expertise to reinforce the Mekong Delta. Our experts are sharing relevant and effective Dutch examples and helping the country make the right choices.
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The approach involves selecting and analyzing relevant Dutch mechanisms and desk studies. Alongside specialists from the Dutch government, experts from Arcadis were also consulted extensively. In an analysis of the organizational structure, institutional organization, financing, the conditions required for implementation, and knowledge development, we identified the strengths and weaknesses of the Dutch mechanisms. All of this information was then translated into a package of clear recommendations for the Vietnamese context. The project was funded by the Dutch government within the framework of bilateral water cooperation under the Partners for Water program.
Governments do not organize local partnerships. They track them down and identify ways to help.
The impact
With the help of the Netherlands, the Vietnamese government is taking a number of important steps toward the sustainable development of the Mekong Delta. With Dutch knowledge of water governance systems, the region can coordinate its investments more effectively to boost the climate resilience of the delta. The insights from our experts played an important role in this process.
