9 - Climate Change and Sea Level Rise in the Mekong Delta: Flood, Tidal Inundation, Salinity Intrusion, and Irrigation Adaptation Methods

Abstract

The Mekong Delta of Vietnam extends over an extensive, low-lying flat area, with an average elevation of only about 1m above mean sea level. It is considered the country’s main rice bowl, as it contributes 48% of national food production and more than 85% of annual rice exports. However, the Mekong Delta currently faces a number of challenges, as it is affected by annual floods, drought, and salinity intrusion. In the context of climate change and sea water level rise, these natural problems may become more severe, with inundation and salinity intrusion eventually becoming the norm under severe scenarios of sea level rise. In the future, salinity intrusion is expected to gradually start earlier in the dry season, posing a threat to the sustainable agricultural development of the Mekong Delta and food security in Vietnam. Through an in-depth analysis of different scenarios of sea level rise, this chapter proposes several measures for flood, tidal inundation, and salinity intrusion protection, while considering the sustainable development of the Mekong Delta in the context of climate change.