Climate change impact in rural Viet Nam - science must lead change

Climate change and its updated impacts in Viet Nam

Climate change has truly become the greatest challenge to humanity. Extreme weather events are seriously affecting sustainable development and making mapping strategy for agriculture, forestry, food security and resource management a serious challenge. Viet Nam is no exception as a coastal country and has been defined by the World Bank as one of the five countries likely to be most affected by climate change[1], let alone that the country is heavily depending on agriculture.

Labor force in rural Viet Nam occupies about 62.8 per cent [2] while employment in agriculture, forestry, and fisheries amounted to 13.9 million people, constituting 27.5 per cent[3], ranks 3^rd after service sector (39.0 per cent[4]) and industry and construction sector (33.4 per cent [5]). Notably, in 2023, the agriculture, forestry and fishery sector accounted for 11.96 per cent [6] of the country's GDP.

However, according to the Department of Climate Change (Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment), the annual average temperature of Viet Nam increased by about 0.89°C in the period of 1958-2018, an equivalent of 0.15°C per decade; the annual average precipitation increased by 2.1 per cent, with the most increase in the South Central Coast and decrease in northern and southern parts of Central Highlands; the country received more strong typhoons and experienced an increase in the amount of droughts and extreme rainfall; average sea levels at monitoring stations increased by 2.74mm per year, especially, between 1993-2018, the indicators were 3.0 mm per year. 

During the same period, the number of cold and freezing cold days decreased. The department also informed that if the sea level rises by 100cm, 32.2 per cent of agricultural land is at risk of flooding. Viet Nam's rice and corn yields could decline by 8.8 per cent and 18.7 per cent in 2030, respectively. Besides, climate change will also increase the risk of forest fires in regions with decreased precipitation.

Science must lead the charge

At COP-26 in Scotland, the Prime Minister of Viet Nam proposed that "climate change response and the restoration of nature must become the highest priority in all development decisions"[7] in which "science and technology must lead the charge"[8] and that "technology transfer, and capacity-building play a critical role in ensuring the success of the Paris Agreement"[9].

In fact, this direction has been consolidated through Decision 896/QD-TTg dated July 26^th 2022 on approving the national strategy for climate change toward 2025 by the Government of Viet Nam. The legal document reflects the proposal by highlighting one full section on the development of science and technology, including prioritization of research and implementing solutions adapting to climate change as well as organize scientific research, application, and technology transfer to help ministries, departments, and local governments implement tasks and solutions adapting to climate change in order to achieve net zero emission by 2050. One of the focuses of this document is develop sustainable livelihood models, prioritize training, profession transition, technology assistance, and funding source approach for inhabitants of areas prone to climate change and its impacts, which included the rural area as shown in various studies.

Aligning with these proposals, Thai Nguyen University of Agriculture and Forestry (TUAF – under Thai Nguyen University) and the International Centre for Research in Agroforestry (ICRAF) in Viet Nam, with approval from Vietnamese Ministry of Education and Training, co-organize an international conference entitled "Advancing Solutions for Climate Change Challenges in Rural Viet Nam"[10] in Thai Nguyen province from October 4-7. 

The event helps bringing together global leading experts, policymakers, researchers, and community leaders to discuss and develop effective climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies tailored to Viet Nam's unique rural context. The international conference is under the framework of a project with aim to build a learning center for net zero emission and climate resilience in Northern Viet Nam.

Key topics to be explored at the conference will include the impacts of climate change on rural communities, best practices in climate adaptation and mitigation, capacity building for local stakeholders, and enhancing community resilience. Through knowledge sharing, collaborative dialogue, and innovative thinking, the conference aspires to empower rural communities to become proactive agents of change in their resilience-building efforts. Engaging discussions and fruitful exchanges are expected to be the mainstream at this international conference and helps to pave the way for actionable solutions and strengthened cooperation among all stakeholders for a sustainable future for rural Viet Nam.

This kind of activity, among others, will contribute to support the national strategy through strengthening research cooperation, including research exchange, with national and international partners, serving for the promotion of cooperation in climate change adaptation in global, regional, and sub-regional mechanisms; connecting with governments, organizations, financial institutions, local governments, foreign enterprises, and international campaigns in exchanging information, sharing experience, knowledge, skills, and mobilizing support of development partners, organizations, and individuals for climate change adaptation, low-emission and sustainable development on the basis of equality, cooperation, and mutual benefits.

[1] https://climateknowledgeportal.worldbank.org/sites/default/files/2021-04/15077-Vietnam%20Country%20Profile-WEB.pdf

[2] https://www.gso.gov.vn/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Sach-BC-Dieu-tra-LDVL-2022-English.pdf

[3] https://www.gso.gov.vn/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Sach-BC-Dieu-tra-LDVL-2022-English.pdf

[4] https://www.gso.gov.vn/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Sach-BC-Dieu-tra-LDVL-2022-English.pdf

[5] https://www.gso.gov.vn/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Sach-BC-Dieu-tra-LDVL-2022-English.pdf

[6] https://www.gso.gov.vn/en/data-and-statistics/2024/02/socio-economic-situation-in-the-fourth-quarter-and-2023/#:~:text=Regarding%20the%20economic%20structure%20in,was%2011.96%25%3B%2038.17%25%3B

[7] https://primeminister.chinhphu.vn/full-remarks-by-pm-pham-minh-chinh-at-cop26-11240273.htm

[8] https://primeminister.chinhphu.vn/full-remarks-by-pm-pham-minh-chinh-at-cop26-11240273.htm

[9] https://primeminister.chinhphu.vn/full-remarks-by-pm-pham-minh-chinh-at-cop26-11240273.htm

[10] https://climateconference.tuaf.edu.vn/