The return of mangroves in Vinh Long Province

For generations, mangrove forests have been hailed as the "green shield" safeguarding the coastal regions of the Mekong Delta. However, mounting livelihood pressures and unregulated economic activities have gradually thinned this protective wall. To revive it, IUCN in collaboration with the Vinh Long Department of Agriculture and Environment (DAE), has launched the project "Enhancing resilience through sustainable livelihood and mangrove restoration in the coastal area of Vinh Long Province" to be implemented from April 2026 to December 2028. The project aims to restore mangrove forests, contribute to improving local livelihoods, and strengthen the resilience of coastal communities to the impacts of climate change.

The launch brought together 46 participants, including representatives from the Forest Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Division under the Vinh Long DAE, local authorities from Con Tau Hamlet, Truong Long Hoa Ward, international organisations, Minh Phu Social Enterprise, experts from Tra Vinh University, and 20 farmers from Con Tau and Con Trung, who make their living  farming shrimp under the mangrove canopy.

Representatives from IUCN and Sub-DAE presented signed commitment agreements to farmers © IUCN Viet Nam

At the event, the first nine households signed a commitment to partner with the project in 2026. It is planned that in 2027, 15 households will sign up. After the signing, the pledge literally took root at the shrimp pond of Mr. Ly Minh Hoang in Con Tau where 250 mangrove saplings were planted, spearheading a sustainable livelihood model where both forest and shrimp can thrive together.

Mr. Hoang shared: “When we first started clearing and developing this area, we used machines to level the land and remove most of the soil. Then, we needed a large water surface area for shrimp and crab farming. But after years of intensive use, the soil becomes degraded, so now we need to plant more trees to restore its fertility. In the past, shrimp and crabs were abundant. During a single tidal cycle, it was quite normal to catch hundreds of kilograms. But things are no longer like they used to be. The soil is less fertile, and there are fewer trees than before. Now, we should restore the soil, build raised beds, and plant mangroves such as rhizophora along the banks, combined with shrimp and crab farming. This would be very good for the environment.”

Mr. Ly Minh Hoang from Con Tau Hamlet – a local farmer participating in the project © IUCN Viet Nam

This is just the beginning. From now until 2028, IUCN will continue working closely with local authorities and communities in the project area to:

• Plant 20,000 mangroves across 10 hectares of aquaculture land owned by 15 households, and restore an additional 10 hectares of coastal protection forests.
• Provide technical training on sustainable mangrove-aquaculture practices to at least 60 households.
• Develop circular mangrove-shrimp models, where the forest canopy cools the ponds and fallen leaves serve as natural feed for shrimp and crabs. This nature-based approach reduces operational costs and paves the way for international certifications such as ASC or Aquaculture Stewardship Council.

Developing mangrove-integrated aquaculture models is not merely an economic endeavor, it is a way to enhance community resilience to climate change. As the green canopy returns to the shrimp ponds of Vinh Long, it is no longer just a story of trees and soil. It is the people’s choice to live in harmony with nature, to preserve their land, their livelihoods, and their own future.

IUCN staff, local farmers and authorities planted mangroves at the project site © IUCN Viet Nam