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NHÀ MÁT
Nhà Mát, located in Cà Mau Province, has developed into a fish farming centre ↗ over the past few decades. It is therefore concerning that the area faces severe coastal challenges, including mangrove degradation, shoreline erosion, and repeated damage to the Nhà Mát sea dike system. In response, numerous coastal protection measures have been implemented, costing the province trillions of VND ↗. Despite these interventions, mangrove forests have nearly disappeared in recent years, making Nhà Mát a particularly interesting area. On this page you can find more information about this specific location.
MANGROVE LOSS
NHA MAT
As shown in the animation, the area has experienced extensive mangrove loss. Along the shoreline, the mangroves have retreated by approximately 150-200 meters. In some places further inland the loss extends up to 500 meters, where mangroves have been cut for aquaculture. This decline in mangrove cover reduces natural coastal protection, leaving the land and local communities more vulnerable to flooding.
STAKEHOLDERS OF THE
AREA
The Department of Agriculture and Environment of Cà Mau is responsible for implementing policies and setting targets for the agriculture, aquaculture, and forestry sectors. Bạc Liêu, which falls under Cà Mau province, has set a target of 1.2 billion USD in shrimp exports by 2025 ↗. These goals are realized by local fishers and shrimp farmers, who rely on both predictable water conditions, as well as stable policy frameworks to maintain a steady production. The department also carries the responsibility to coordinate climate adaptation and disaster risk to protect local households. To do this, the department assigned about 400 of these households to protect and plant an area of 3,100 hectares of mangrove forests themselves. Because the department has to make smart budget choices, they are advised by researchers and consultants, allowing them to make evidence-based decisions. In Nhà Mát, researchers conduct measurements and experiments to generate new knowledge. Research institutions such as Cần Thơ University and the Living Lab are both actively involved in the area. Consultants, like ICOE (public) or Haskoning (private), collect and report on information, and bring stakeholders together to realize project implementation.
HUMAN
ACTIONS
TAKEN
perforated dome
breakwater
Human actions have had significant influence on the mangrove forests in Nhà Mát. Over the past few decades, large areas of mangroves have been cleared to make way for developments such as the Nhà Mát resort and shrimp farms. These human actions push the mangroves into narrow strips of land, which leads to coastal squeeze.
2000 - 2010: REFORESTATION PROJECTS
A lot of reforestation projects have been implemented in Nhà Mát. From 2000 to 2010, 150-200 hectares of new mangroves were planted on the beach in Nhà Mát. From 2015 to 2020, an additional 200 hectares of forest is replanted. In 2019, around 2000 mangrove trees have been planted.
2012 + 2016: WOODEN FENCE
To create favorable conditions for mangrove growth, various coastal protection structures have been built. In 2012 and 2016, wooden fences were built with the intention of stabilizing the coast and supporting mangrove recovery. However, these fences did not produce the expected positive results for the reforestation projects.
2019: BREAKWATER
When it became clear that the bamboo fences were unsuccessful in supporting mangrove growth, breakwaters were constructed to reduce wave energy along the coast. In 2019, two types were installed: a detached riprap pillar breakwater and a perforated dome breakwater.
detached riprap
pillar breakwater
Both designs are permeable, allowing for sediment transport. The detached riprap pillar breakwater is highly effective at reducing wave transmission but less effective at facilitating the transport of nutrients from the sea to the coast. The perforated dome breakwater better maintains nutrient exchange and has a lower reflection coefficient than the detached riprap pillar breakwater.
2025: CURRENT SITUATION
However, as of 2025, there are still no signs of mangrove growth in Nhà Mát, and residents continue to experience flooding of their homes and roads. As a result, the government again has to intervene. The People's Committee of Bac Lieu province approved a project to build a flood prevention embankment from the Nhà Mát culvert to the Nhà Mát bridge, costing the province over 905 billion VND.
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