Eco-agritourism as an Ecosystem-based adaptation (EBA) against climate change impacts for the Vietnamese Mekong Delta: a viewpoint

Abstract

The sustainable development of the Vietnamese Mekong Delta (VMD) is constantly challenged by many natural disasters, especially the recent intensification of sea-level rise and salinity intrusion. Instead of trying to train the environment, the VMD farmers have adopted new adaptive livelihood models that promote more harmonious strategies to live with nature, seeking the compromising point between generating income and restoring the environmental benefits. The focus of this paper is one such approach, the ecological shrimp farming model of Ben Tre province. Presented herewith is the authors’ viewpoint regarding the barriers and opportunities to develop the eco-agritourism model based on the ecological shrimp farming model in the VMD. We took note of the standing challenges for the farmers in sustaining their farms, both technically and financially. From the follow-up PRA, we contributed the evaluation of the potentials in incorporating ecotourism into the existing ecological shrimp farms. The findings are non-exhaustive, however, are significant to both decision-makers and scientific communities. As for the former, tourism development lies within the socio-economic development plan of Ben Tre province; this paper will be useful to communicate with policy planners of a note-worthy emerging ecotourism model. We also remarked on the community needs and expectations for the government. We also discussed the possibility of upscaling the eco-agritourism model via the channel of EBA research and development schemes while contributing to multiple SDGs. In addition, we also contributed a novel interpretation of eco-agritourism that are relevant to the community-based adaption strategies against climate change impacts.