Saltwater intrusion control: Through mission of JICA3 project

Regulating saltwater-freshwater for more than 200,000 ha

Not only threatening agricultural production, but saltwater intrusion also encroaches on domestic water sources, directly affecting the lives and livelihoods of hundreds of thousands of coastal households. In this context, the JICA3 project has been identified as one of the strategic solutions to control saltwater intrusion, regulate water resources, and enhance resilience for the coastal areas of the former Ben Tre province.

According to the design, once completed, the infrastructure system of the JICA3 project will control saltwater intrusion and regulate freshwater for more than 204,000 ha of natural land. Of which, the Vam Nuoc Trong sluice is regarded as a critical "stopper" to limit deep saltwater intrusion into inland areas while also reducing the impacts of tidal surges during the rainy season.

As a household with land located within the project area, Ms. Nguyen Thi Hen in Thanh Binh 2 hamlet, Tan Thanh Binh commune, said that for many years, her family's coconut and green-skinned pomelo orchards have been continuously affected by saltwater intrusion and tidal surges. In the flood season, the area is frequently deeply flooded, making travel difficult and posing numerous potential risks.

Agriculture no longer "copes with" but gradually "adapts to"

At the strategic level, the JICA3 project is a key component of the Mekong Delta's saltwater intrusion-control network. Once the system of eight sluices is completed and operated synchronously, coastal areas will be more proactive in water resources, avoiding passivity toward the increasingly unpredictable impacts of climate change.

Stably controlled water resources also facilitate restructuring agricultural production. Models such as shrimp–coconut, shrimp–rice, freshwater aquaculture, and specialty fruit growing will face lower risks and gain greater sustainability. At the same time, localities will have a basis for planning concentrated production zones, promoting land accumulation, and applying science and technology.

Notably, the JICA3 project also applies many advanced Japanese technologies, including SPSP foundations and anti-corrosion solutions designed for complex hydrological conditions, ensuring a project lifespan of 30–50 years. All sluices are integrated with navigation locks, serving both salinity control and ensuring through waterway transport.

More than a conventional irrigation scheme, the JICA3 project has significance in shifting the approach to water management. With water sources proactively regulated, agricultural development no longer follows short-term "coping" measures but gradually transitions toward "adaptation," aligned with long-term planning and sustainable development.

In the context of increasingly severe climate change, the success of the JICA3 project is not measured solely by the scale of investment or the number of structures built, but it is reflected in its ability to protect livelihoods, strengthen the people's trust, and enhance water management capacity in coastal areas. This is a critical foundation for the region to achieve stable and sustainable development over the coming decades.