Order scientists to solve challenges in the Southwest region

The Mekong Delta is facing drought, salinity, landslides, water shortages, etc. Deputy Minister Tran Hong Thai hopes that scientists will research ways to solve the above challenges.

The message was delivered by Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Tran Hong Thai at the conference "Orientation for development and application of science and technology to ensure water security in the period 2021 - 2030" held in Ho Chi Minh City on the afternoon of December 8. The program, managed by the Ministry of Science and Technology, abbreviated as KC-14/21-30, was approved on December 1.

Deputy Minister Tran Hong Thai speaks at the conference held at the Thuyloi University Branch on the afternoon of December 8. Photo: Ha An — Deputy Minister Tran Hong Thai speaks at the conference held at the Thuyloi University Branch on the afternoon of December 8. Photo: *Ha An*

The Mekong Delta is the country's rice granary, but is facing challenges due to the effects of climate change. Therefore, the leaders of the Ministry of Science and Technology hope that scientists will pay attention to solving the region's problems and building strong research groups in the South on water security.

Mr. Thai suggested that national-level topics should focus on handling and resolving local issues currently facing them. Based on the goals and content of the program framework, Deputy Minister Thai said that he would direct affiliated agencies to regularly receive proposals from scientists, research institutes, localities, etc. to coordinate in proposing solutions and implementing them.

Prof. Dr. Tang Duc Thang, former deputy director of the Vietnam Institute of Water Resources, acknowledged that the Mekong Delta is facing many challenges, including subsidence. According to monitoring data from the authorities and the institute, this area subsides 0.5 - 3 m each year, with the coastal area estimated to subside 1.5 - 3.5 cm each year. This is considered a large subsidence rate. According to calculations, if the subsidence rate continues as above, the terrain elevation of the area will be lowered very deeply by about -1.5 to -2 m. It is forecasted that in Hau Giang province by 2050, the terrain elevation will be at -0.5 m to -1 m, and by 2100 it will be -1 m to -2 m, which is considered very low.

Image of negative terrain elevation due to subsidence (blue) in the Mekong Delta forecasted by 2100. Photo: BTC

Many scientists and prestigious international organizations believe that the Mekong Delta is at risk of being wiped out in the future. From a personal perspective, Professor Thang believes that this is a story that will happen, the important thing is when it will happen. From the above reality, he believes that researchers need to pay attention to this issue and need to have adaptive projects to minimize the degradation of the region due to land subsidence and river and sea erosion. He hopes to have long-term plans and schemes for water-related issues with a vision of hundreds of years such as ensuring water security, flood prevention planning for the entire region, protecting against encroachment by the sea and coastal mangrove ecosystems...

The KC14 program is also aimed at solving major problems, including providing arguments, scientific and practical bases to perfect policies to help improve the effectiveness and efficiency of state management, ensure water security and safety of dams, reservoirs and irrigation works. The program also aims to develop applications and transfer advanced technologies to develop, manage, exploit and effectively use water resources to serve people's lives, socio-economic development, water security and proactively adapt to climate change.

Ha An

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