Ca Mau: From erosion to opportunities for marine economic development

From erosion to opportunities for marine economic development

Mr. Nguyen Thanh Tung, Director of the Ca Mau Provincial Irrigation Sub-Department, said that the Ca Mau coastline is suffering severe impacts from erosion and high tides, threatening infrastructure, production land, and protection forests. However, this also presents an opportunity for the province to implement a synchronous system of coastal works that both protect the shoreline and create new land funds to serve marine economic development, tourism, and fisheries logistics services.

Ca Mau has proposed a system of sea-encroaching works in coastal sections with suitable terrain and favorable positions for developing logistics service projects, tourism service zones, and fisheries logistics facilities. This effort aims to address coastal erosion fundamentally while simultaneously tapping the province's potential and advantages of marine economy (as suggested by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh) and to prevent flooding caused by high tides in urban areas, transportation infrastructure, and production zones.

Specifically, the logistics zone serving Hon Khoai General Port would encroach on about 1,000 ha of land, stretching 5 km in length and 2 km in width, forming a strategic logistics center for Hon Khoai deep-water port. The Khai Long–Dat Mui tourism zone would reclaim approximately 1,000 ha, with a 10-km offshore breakwater located 1 km from the coast, creating land funds for ecotourism, resort development, and marine services. The Rach Goc marine economic service zone and the Hon Khoai logistics area would encroach on 1,500 ha, with a 15-km offshore breakwater, supporting the development of fisheries logistics, maritime logistics, and marine economic ecosystems. The Nha Mat tourism zone would reclaim 400 ha, with a 2-km breakwater located 2 km offshore, creating land funds for tourism, beaches, and public services.

Breakwater combined with viaduct

According to the Ca Mau Provincial Irrigation Sub-Department, the breakwater structure combined with a viaduct, located 1–2 km offshore and featuring a deck with a width of 8 m, helps reduce wave energy and protect the coastline while creating 3,900 ha of clean land for investment projects. The estimated investment cost is about VND 300 billion/km, with around VND 9,600 billion required for 32 km of breakwater construction.

The economic value of the landfund reserve generated is estimated at nearly VND 30,000 billion, not including benefits from tourism, logistics, marine farming, and fisheries logistics services. This is considered a "two-in-one" solution, both preventing erosion and unlocking marine economic potential.

For the remaining eroded coastal sections, it is necessary to urgently construct revetment works aimed at shoreline protection and restore mangrove forests with a total length of about 108 km. The total investment capital is about VND 9,000 billion (22 km on the Western coast at a cost of VND 60 billion/km and 86 km on the Eastern coast at about VND 90 billion/km).

Ca Mau has proposed constructing sea-encroaching embankments at Hon Khoai Island and the submerged sand dunes located along the route of the bridge connecting the mainland to Hon Khoai Island. This project aims to create land funds for developing service and logistics zones for Hon Khoai General Port as well as fisheries logistics services. At the same time, the province aims to promptly invest in a tidal-control sluice at the Gan Hao estuary to regulate water levels and prevent flooding in urban areas and internal infrastructure.

In addition, Ca Mau has proposed building the Gan Hao tidal-control sluice to prevent urban flooding, protect infrastructure, and safeguard production areas. The province also plans to implement sea-encroaching embankments at Hon Khoai Island and the submerged sand dunes along the connection bridge route, creating land funds for fisheries logistics and maritime logistics services. It is calling for the rapid construction of the remaining 108 km of coastal revetments to protect communities, infrastructure, and mangrove forests.

Mr. Le Van Su, Vice Chairman of the Ca Mau Provincial People’s Committee, emphasized that only by simultaneously preventing coastal erosion and developing the marine economy can the province sustainably protect its coastline, communities, and infrastructure. The sea-encroaching embankment model not only mitigates natural disaster risks but also creates new space for tourism services, logistics, seaports, and ecological urban development, aligning with green growth orientations, climate change adaptation, and the enhancement of marine economic value.

With a vision to 2030, these proposals are expected to position Ca Mau as a driving force for marine economic development in the Mekong Delta region.