Much was done in the Mekong Delta over the course of 2025 to prioritize adaptation to and coexistence with nature.

The Mekong Delta
has taken another step forward over the past year on its difficult path of transformation.
Beneath its seemingly tranquil surface, profound shifts are underway as the region
recalibrates how it survives and grows in a rapidly-changing context. In response,
green growth and the broader concept of a green economy have gradually emerged as
a central axis of thinking, guiding efforts to restructure the region’s development
model.

The Mekong Delta
is increasingly forced to redefine its development trajectory. Lessons drawn from
floods, landslides, saltwater intrusion, and resource depletion have compelled local
authorities to reassess decades of growth strategies. A new mindset is taking shape:
development can no longer come at the expense of the environment and must be built
upon the Delta’s own ecological foundations.

Towards a green
economy

For many years,
the region’s interaction with nature was largely shaped by a control-oriented approach
– building higher dikes, enclosing waterways, and expanding production at all costs.
Over time, however, the consequences of this strategy have become more apparent.
Land subsidence, riverbank erosion, declining freshwater reserves, and ecological
imbalances have exposed the limits of attempting to dominate natural systems.

A notable shift
in awareness began to crystallize in 2025. Instead of “resisting” nature, many localities
started to prioritize adaptation and coexistence. Water is no longer viewed solely
as a threat but as an integral component of the ecosystem, requiring flexible, seasonal,
and location-specific management. Flood retention areas, ecological lowlands, and
natural drainage corridors are being re-evaluated for their critical role in reducing
disaster risks.

At the same time,
the exploitation of water resources is being adjusted towards sustainability. Groundwater
extraction, which has contributed significantly to subsidence, is gradually being
brought under control and increasingly replaced by surface water storage solutions,
water-saving practices, and water reuse in production. These changes are neither
abrupt nor uniform, but collectively lay the groundwork for a new approach, one
that recognizes natural resources as finite limits to be respected rather than inexhaustible
assets.

Within this broader
picture, the green economy is emerging as a unifying current that runs through multiple
sectors. It is no longer a slogan, but a practical framework that is increasingly
shaping development choices. Agriculture, the traditional backbone of the Mekong
Delta, offers the clearest illustration of this shift.

Instead of chasing
output volumes, many localities are moving towards higher value through adaptive
farming models that reduce emissions and protect ecosystems. Rice-shrimp systems,
shrimp-mangrove models, organic agriculture, and circular farming practices not
only ease environmental pressure but also open new pathways in terms of markets,
quality, and value added. Farmers are no longer merely producers; they are becoming
active links within green value chains.

A defining feature
of this transition is the move from a “high volume” mindset to a “high value” orientation.
Nature-adaptive farming models, once considered niche or experimental, are now being
scaled up. Alongside agriculture, the marine economy is emerging as a highly-promising
development space.

Stretching from
the coastline of Tien Giang province (now part of Dong Thap province) to Ca Mau
province, the Delta’s long shoreline and favorable wind conditions give it a distinct
advantage in renewable energy development, particularly onshore and offshore wind
power. At the same time, sustainable aquaculture, marine ecotourism, and mangrove
conservation are gradually forming new value chains that both support livelihoods
and protect coastal ecosystems.

Notably, the current
approach to the marine economy does not separate growth from conservation. Mangrove
forests in Ca Mau, for instance, are increasingly viewed as “green infrastructure”
that protects coastlines, absorbs carbon, and supports long-term livelihoods. This
perspective helps reduce conflicts between economic objectives and environmental
protection, steering development towards long-term balance.

From a broader standpoint,
a green marine economy also opens new opportunities for regional connectivity, linking
inland areas with marine spaces and creating more open, flexible value chains compared
with the closed development models of the past.

New regional driver

Beyond agriculture
and the marine economy, urban areas in the Mekong Delta are gradually assuming a
leading role in the green transition. Rather than expanding outward, many cities
are pursuing more compact development models that emphasize green spaces, drainage
infrastructure, and climate resilience.

New urban projects
are paying closer attention to environmental considerations, from architectural
design and energy use to waste and wastewater management. Public spaces, water bodies,
and greenery are increasingly treated as essential components of urban systems rather
than decorative additions. More importantly, cities are becoming hubs for spreading
new values related to green lifestyles and sustainable governance.

From these urban
centers, circular economy models, responsible consumption, and innovation are beginning
to diffuse into rural areas, strengthening connections between different development
spaces across the region. In this way, cities are not only beneficiaries of the
green transition but also catalysts that help align rural and urban trajectories.

Looking back over
the past year, the Mekong Delta appears to be passing through a pivotal phase. Mounting
environmental challenges have made it impossible to maintain old development patterns,
forcing localities to restructure how resources are used and how economic and social
spaces are organized.

This transition
is neither quick nor easy. It demands persistence, consensus, and long-term vision.
Yet within this gradual process, a new identity for the Delta is taking shape, one
that seeks growth by working with nature rather than against it, and by leveraging
ecological advantages instead of pushing beyond environmental limits.

Green growth, therefore,
is no longer a distant aspiration; it is increasingly visible in development decisions,
production models, and living spaces across the region. It offers a pathway for
the Mekong Delta to adapt to climate change while preserving its role as a pillar
of national economic development, ecological stability, and food security.

As a new year dawns,
these shifts may not have produced dramatic breakthroughs but clearly signal a new
direction: the region is learning to slow down in order to go further. In that slower,
more deliberate rhythm, the green economy is no longer simply an option, it is becoming
the foundation of the Mekong Delta’s future.

VET-Anh Khue