Opportunities amid urgent demand for green transition

On November 22 at Dong Thap School of Politics, the Standing Board of the Dong Thap Provincial Party Committee, in coordination with the Academy of Politics Region IV (Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics), held a ministerial-level scientific workshop themed: “Green transition in the Mekong Delta: Opportunities, challenges and solutions.”

A measure of credibility and competitiveness

According to Dr Nguyen Manh Hung, Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics and Vice Chairman of the Central Theoretical Council, the Mekong Delta is entering a pivotal stage in restructuring its growth model and renewing governance to adapt more effectively to climate change.

In a world shaped by overlapping trends, from climate change and supply-chain shifts to increasingly stringent green standards in trade and investment, green transition has become a crucial condition for market access. It is also a measure of credibility and competitiveness for every nation, locality, and enterprise.

Green transition is thus not only a global trend but also an opportunity for the Mekong Delta to raise incomes, build sustainable value chains, and strengthen climate adaptation. This calls for “green” planning, proactive innovation, and concrete mechanisms to attract capital and technology.

Dong Thap is taking the lead in developing a circular and green economy, leveraging the advantages of the Tien River and logistics systems along National Highway 1A, together with fruit-tree, aquaculture, and rice-shrimp models that form the foundation for the province to become a regional connector.

Chau Thi My Phuong, Chairwoman of the Dong Thap Provincial People’s Council, said, “Green transition not only protects us from climate impacts but also opens new, more sustainable and prosperous development pathways. It is not just a mission, but an opportunity to restructure the local economy toward modernity, efficiency, and sustainability. The workshop’s outcomes will contribute directly to policymaking, institutional improvement, and promotion of green transition in the Mekong Delta.”

After two years of implementing the Scheme of “One million hectares of high-quality, low-emission rice,” the Mekong Delta region has seen highly positive results: 354,840 hectares applying technical protocols (197% of the target) and over 200,000 farmers participating. Pilot models have helped reduce costs by 8.2 - 24.2%, increase yields by 2.4 - 7%, and raise incomes by 12 - 50%. Greenhouse gas emissions dropped by 2 - 12 tons of CO₂ per hectare, and farmers’  habit of burning rice-straw was minimized, hence making significant contributions to environmental protection efforts.

Models and solutions to remove bottlenecks

Many presentations at the workshop introduce successful circular agriculture and low-emission models from Vietnam and abroad, offering appropriate directions for the Mekong Delta. For instance, the rice-shrimp system in Can Tho, which raises brackish-water shrimp in the dry season and grows rice in the rainy season, creates dual ecological-economic value.

One of the notable examples includes the low-carbon rice farming in Suphan Buri (Thailand), using laser land levelling, alternate wetting and drying, site-specific nutrient management, and converting straw into organic fertilizer. This approach reduces fertilizer use and maximizes agricultural by-products.

Despite the positive progress in green development, some delegates point out persistent challenges in the Mekong Delta, including increasingly severe drought and salinity, inconsistent irrigation planning, declining natural resources, and reduced Mekong upstream flow. Pressures from urbanization, industrialization, and global integration also add to the urgency for green transition. Scientists and experts at the workshop propose highly feasible solutions.

Nguyen Van Son (Dong Thap School of Politics) argues that shifting from a mindset of “coping” to “proactive adaptation” is key to turning climate pressures into development drivers, especially in green agricultural value chains. Dr Van Pham Dang Tri, Director of the Mekong Institute - Can Tho University, believes that the Mekong Delta must leverage digital-economy technologies to advance a green economy, green agriculture, and green society, using regional coordination as a decisive factor.

From a tourism perspective, Dr Tran Huu Hiep, Vice Chairman of the Mekong Delta Tourism Association, noted that the concept of “green tourism” is shifting from awareness to concrete actions, using renewable energy in transportation, producing green souvenirs, and developing community-based eco-tourism. Eco-destinations such as Tra Su (An Giang) and Thoi Son Islet (Dong Thap) are increasingly popular. Integrated tourism combining agriculture and culture is also on the rise.

Dr Ngo Tuan Nghia, Director of the Academy of Politics Region IV, proposes solutions to address investment-cost bottlenecks, coordination mechanisms, and institutional synchronization. He highlighted three pillars: The State guides through planning, policy, and strategic investment; Enterprises innovate technology and engage deeply in green production and processing chains; Communities shift consumption behavior and adopt green lifestyles.