The Mekong Delta – Turning saline soils into sustainable aquaculture zones
In Vietnam’s Mekong Delta, Nguyen Viet Khai Commune is emerging as a model for sustainable rural development. By integrating saline-resilient farming, intercropping systems, and circular aquaculture, the community is transforming saline-challenged lands into productive zones, which reshaping its economy and enhancing climate resilience.
Reviving saline lands through green agriculture
Formed from the 2021 merger of Tan Hung Tay, Viet Thang, and Rach Cheo communes, Nguyen Viet Khai has quickly pivoted toward sustainable land use as a cornerstone of its new identity. Faced with increasing soil salinity and climate variability, local farmers have adopted intercropping and integrated farming to restore soil health and diversify incomes.
One example is Tran Thi Gao of Hung Hiep hamlet, who manages nearly three hectares of shrimp and crab ponds. By planting maize on over 3,000 square meters of pond embankments, she harvests three crops per year, earning around VND 50 million (approximately USD 2,000) annually from vegetables alone.
“Shrimp and crab farming has become less predictable in recent years, and household costs are rising,” Gao explained. “By planting maize along the pond banks, we have another source of income. It sells for VND 50,000-70,000 per dozen and offers a good return.”
Local authorities have actively promoted the use of pond embankments and household gardens for fruit and vegetable production. Nguyen Van Ti, head of Hung Hiep hamlet, said the practice has improved both nutrition and household earnings across the community.
To scale up, the provincial Extension Center has partnered with the commune government to launch a five-hectare vegetable farming initiative. Agricultural officer Nguyen Van Hieu says the program aims to replicate successful models and support the transition toward climate-smart, clean agriculture in saline-affected areas.
Leading the way in circular shrimp farming
With over 11,800 hectares, more than 91% of its total land area, dedicated to aquaculture, Nguyen Viet Khai is fast becoming a provincial shrimp production hub. But instead of focusing solely on expansion, the commune is prioritizing sustainability, innovation, and environmental stewardship.
A notable case is Nguyen Van Thuan from Tan Nghia hamlet. Once reliant on super-intensive shrimp farming, he struggled with frequent disease outbreaks and water quality issues. In 2023, he transitioned to an extensive, circular shrimp farming model that discharges no wastewater, aligning with emerging environmental standards.
Thuan retrofitted his farm with recirculating water filtration systems and added seaweed to his ponds to naturally improve water quality. His system now features two grow-out ponds and three sedimentation ponds.
“Previously, I had to discharge water after every crop and treat new water from the river, time-consuming and costly,” he said. “Now, I recycle treated water from the sedimentation ponds. It’s faster, cleaner, and more economical.”
Farmers across Nguyen Viet Khai are increasingly adopting similar practices, using probiotics, selecting high-quality postlarvae, and managing water parameters more carefully. Average shrimp yields have risen from 200-300 kg per hectare to 400-500 kg per hectare, with some farms exceeding even those numbers.
According to Huynh Phuong Nhanh, Vice Chairman of the Commune People’s Committee, local authorities are updating aquaculture zoning plans and prioritizing closed-loop, zero-discharge systems. The goal is to develop large-scale shrimp production zones of 100 hectares or more, certified for traceability and export standards, paving the way for international market access.
Charting a new path for climate-resilient rural growth
The merger of three former communes has done more than redraw administrative boundaries, it has catalyzed a shift in how local development is planned and executed. Nguyen Viet Khai is now positioning itself as a showcase for adaptive, sustainable rural transformation in the Mekong Delta.
By embracing diversified farming models, circular aquaculture, and strategic land use, the commune is building a climate-resilient economy rooted in local knowledge and community-led innovation. The path forward will require continued technical support, infrastructure upgrades, and strong governance, but Nguyen Viet Khai is already proving what’s possible when sustainability becomes the foundation of rural development.
VFM
