| Vietnamese name | Dong bang song Cuu Long |
|---|---|
| Area | about 40,600 km² |
| Population | about 17.5 million |
| Climate | Tropical monsoon climate. High temperatures (26-28°C) year-round. Flooding during the rainy season (May-November). |
Overview
The Mekong Delta is Vietnam's largest rice bowl and one of the most important agricultural regions in Southeast Asia. Spreading across the estuary where the Mekong River flows into the South China Sea, this delta comprises 13 provinces and cities and produces about 50% of Vietnam's rice, about 70% of its fruit, and about 60% of its aquatic products.
Also known as the "Nine Dragon River Delta," the region takes its name from the way the Mekong River splits into nine distributaries (actually seven or eight) before reaching the sea. Blessed with fertile alluvial soil and abundant water resources, it is one of the world's most productive farming regions, where three rice crops a year are possible.
However, rising sea levels and saltwater intrusion driven by climate change pose a serious threat. UN projections indicate that about 40% of the delta could be at risk of flooding by 2050.
Features of agriculture
Agriculture in the Mekong Delta rests on three pillars: (1) rice cultivation, (2) fruit trees, and (3) aquaculture.
Rice: Annual output is about 25 million tonnes, and almost all of Vietnam's rice exports come from this region. In recent years the focus has shifted from quantity to quality, and cultivation of high-quality varieties such as ST25 rice (chosen as the world's best rice) has expanded.
Fruit trees: A wide variety of tropical fruit trees are grown across the delta, including durian, mango, longan, rambutan, pomelo, coconut, and pineapple. Durian in particular has seen a surge in exports to China, accelerating the conversion of rice paddies into durian orchards.
Aquaculture: Pangasius (a type of catfish) and shrimp are the two leading farmed products. Pangasius farming is centered in An Giang and Dong Thap provinces, with annual output of about 1.5 million tonnes. Shrimp farming thrives along the coasts of Ca Mau, Bac Lieu, and Soc Trang provinces.
Main agricultural products
Rice (about 25 million tonnes/year, ST25 and others), durian, mango, longan, rambutan, pomelo, coconut, pineapple, pangasius (about 1.5 million tonnes/year), shrimp (whiteleg and black tiger), lotus
Exports and logistics
The main exports are rice (worldwide), pangasius (EU, US, Middle East), shrimp (Japan, EU, US), and fruit (China, Japan, South Korea). Can Tho Port and My Tho Port are the main river ports, but large vessels struggle to enter, so much of the produce is transported overland to Cai Mep Port in Ho Chi Minh City for export. Improving logistics infrastructure is the biggest challenge for Mekong Delta agriculture.
Challenges and outlook
Climate change, rising sea levels, and saltwater intrusion are existential threats to the Mekong Delta. The Vietnamese government has drawn up the "Master Plan for Sustainable Development of the Mekong Delta to 2100," promoting (1) a shift to shrimp farming in saltwater-affected areas, (2) conversion to high-quality rice varieties, and (3) diversification into fruit trees and aquaculture. The adoption of Dutch dike and water-management technology is also advancing.
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