📋 Tender Overview
The Mekong Delta enters the peak of the 2025-2026 dry season with the risk of saltwater intrusion increasing, but thanks to proactive forecasting, project operation and production adjustments, many localities still control water sources well and limit damage. However, climate change and upstream flows continue to pose long-term challenges, requiring radical adaptation solutions. Download Mr. Nguyen Hong Khanh, Deputy Director of the Department of Irrigation Management and Construction (Ministry of Agriculture and Environment) - Photo: VGP/LS Being proactive early, controlling water sources wellThe Mekong Delta (MRD) is at the peak of the dry season, especially in March and April 2026, when high tides combined with reduced water from the upstream Mekong River can cause salinity to increase. However, according to the assessment of specialized agencies, the situation is still within the forecast scenario. Talking to the Government Electronic Newspaper on March 18, Mr. Nguyen Hong Khanh, Deputy Director of the Department of Irrigation Management and Construction (Ministry of Agriculture and Environment) said: Currently, the Mekong River basin in general and the Mekong Delta in particular are in the middle of the dry season in 2025-2026. The progress of saltwater intrusion to date is consistent with the information provided by agencies under the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment since September 2025, the level of saltwater intrusion is not severe, lower to equivalent to the average of many years. Thanks to the synchronously invested irrigation system, salinity control and basic proactive water extraction operations, there has not been a shortage of fresh water for production and daily life. Since September 2025, the agencies The function has provided early forecast information on water sources and saltwater intrusion, updated regularly weekly and monthly. On that basis, localities identify areas at risk of being affected to deploy appropriate solutions. One of the important solutions is to adjust the seasonal calendar. Rice areas at risk of being affected have been directed to sow seeds early, ending in December 2025. With fruit trees, people actively store water in household-sized ponds and lakes to ensure irrigation during times of high salinity. In addition, many new irrigation projects such as Nguyen Tan Thanh, Vam Ba Lich, and Rach Mop sewers have been put into effective operation, contributing to preventing salinity and storing fresh water for production areas. Communication work has also been promoted, helping people proactively store water, use it economically and minimize loss. Download Cai Lon and Cai Be irrigation Super Culverts contribute to controlling water sources, preventing saltwater intrusion, and maintaining fresh water for the provinces of An Giang, Ca Mau, Can Tho - Photo: VGP/LS Locals flexibly respond and minimize risksIn An Giang, water sources for daily life and production from the beginning of the dry season until now are basically guaranteed. The local agricultural sector has organized many field inspection teams, and closely monitored the situation of drought, saltwater intrusion, landslides and forest fires. Responding to the Government Electronic Newspaper, Mr. Le Huu Toan, Director of the Department of Agriculture and Environment of An Giang province said: The province has proactively effectively operated the sewer system in the province and coordinated with the Southern Irrigation Exploitation Company Limited to operate the sewers: Cai Lon, Cai Be, Xeo Ro, in coordination with the Company. An Giang Irrigation Exploitation LLC operates the sewer system to prevent salinity and maintain fresh water appropriately according to actual requirements at each production time in each area. The locality also regularly inspects and detects salinity leaks early for timely handling. The operation of the Vam Ba Lich sluice and lock is organized many times to cut the tide peak, control salinity and store fresh water effectively. According to the province, although the Mekong water source is higher than the average for many years and there may be unseasonal rain, the risk of local water shortage may still occur in some areas during the peak dry season from February to April 2026. In Vinh Long, the government has issued a plan to prevent and combat saline drought from the end of the year. 2025, assign specific tasks to each industry and locality. The monitoring system is enhanced with 22 fixed salinity measuring points, combined with hydrometeorological data to closely monitor developments. The agricultural sector recommends that people check salinity before drawing water, especially in areas specializing in fruit growing and aquaculture. Many households have proactively equipped hand-held salinity measuring devices, contributing to minimizing risks. Download Leaders of An Giang Department of Agriculture and Environment held a meeting to deploy drought and salinity prevention at Cai Lon and Cai Be irrigation culverts - Photo: VGP/LSLong-term adaptation to climate change Besides immediate solutions, many large irrigation projects in the region continue to promote effectiveness in regulating water sources such as the Ba Lai river system, Cai Hang - Sa Ke, Trung Nhuan - Xeo Snake, and Kenh Lap reservoir. Such as dykes to prevent saltwater intrusion along the Ham Luong River, the North-South Ben Tre irrigation system, and the Vam Cai Mon sluice gate are being accelerated to improve salinity control capacity. According to experts, saltwater intrusion in the Mekong Delta is no longer an unusual phenomenon but is becoming a regular challenge due to the impact of climate change.climate change and changes in the flow of the Mekong River. In that context, many localities have shifted from coping to adapting. Restructuring agricultural production according to water source conditions is considered a fundamental solution. Models such as rice-shrimp, aquaculture, and planting salt-tolera
