Saltwater damage in the Vietnamese Mekong Delta: A case study of agricultural livelihoods in Hung My commune, Tra Vinh province

Abstract

This study examines the considerable impact of Saline Intrusion (SI) on the livelihoods of households (HH) in Vietnam’s Mekong Delta (VMD) which is main rice production powerhouse of the country. As a notable occurrence in the region, its damage has been evaluated through both quantitative and qualitative approaches. The principal conclusions are to the identification of capital elements via the examination of sustained damage and resilience in addressing forthcoming crises. The analysis of gathered data has shown the growing threat to the estuary’s agricultural output caused by the incursion of SI. This has particularly affected food production, which is a crucial and longstanding industry in the VMD’s economy. There-fore, it is essential to prioritize the implementation of sustainable agricultural practices and develop ways to bolster resilience, which includes enhancing disaster preparedness and promoting sustainable livelihoods. This paper means to setup precedent for future studies, advo-cating for the inclusion of socioeconomic and ecological factors in policy framework development to mitigate the risks posed by environmental alteration and improve the resilience and adaptability of impacted farmers.