Moving towards sustainable coastal adaptation: Analysis of hydrological drivers of saltwater intrusion in the Vietnamese Mekong Delta

Coastal lowlands are of particular importance in providing food, shelter, and livelihoods for large populations; yet aggravating effects caused by human activities and climate change have exposed these areas to multiple challenges. Located in the southernmost part of the Lower Mekong Basin, the Vietnamese Mekong Delta (VMD) is adversely affected by upstream hydropower development, localised water-engineering systems (dykes), climatic factors, and sea level rise. This paper examines how these drivers shape the adaptation strategies of rural communities in the coastal areas. Using mixed sources of historical measured data, numerical modelling and qualitative data gathered in three coastal provinces (Ben Tre, Tra Vinh, and Soc Trang), we find that hydrological alterations are manipulated by various drivers with more immediate effects of the tidal systems and sea level rise in the Vietnamese East Sea. The study results suggest that while these impacts are not adequately addressed by delta-scale measures, a mixed policy approach including control and adaptation measures has been adopted to tackle saltwater intrusion on the local scale. The paper provides a holistic insight into the complex temporal-spatial dimensions of hydrological change which have distressed coastal agroecosystems and resource-dependent communities. The paper argues that while voicing concerns over transboundary hydropower impacts is essential, in situ collaborative efforts among salinity-affected jurisdictions are equally important in addressing high uncertainty and complexity of saltwater intrusion in the future. [Display omitted] •Hydrological alterations in the Vietnamese Mekong Delta are manipulated by multiple drivers.•Saltwater intrusion in the study areas is largely driven by tidal systems and sea level rise of the Vietnamese East Sea.•Saltwater intrusion events place heavy pressures on coastal agroecosystems and resource-dependent communities.•The dual ‘adaptation and control’ policy has been exercised to deal with saltwater intrusion across governance scales.