Sediment management policies

The Mekong Delta is Vietnam’s largest delta, formed and nourished by sediment from the Mekong River. However, in recent years, the volume of sediment reaching the Delta has declined sharply due to the impact of upstream hydropower dams, over-extraction of sand, and climate change. Research indicates that the amount of alluvium reaching the Delta has decreased by more than 50% compared to historical levels, leading to increasingly severe riverbank and coastal erosion, land subsidence, and saltwater intrusion. Faced with this reality, the Government and relevant ministries have issued numerous policies aimed at managing, utilizing, and extracting sediment in a sustainable manner.

Key Policies

1. Resolution No. 120/NQ-CP (November 17, 2017) on Sustainable Development
of the Mekong Delta

This is considered a strategic resolution, emphasizing a "nature-based" approach and respect for natural laws. The resolution mandates strict management of riverbed sand and gravel mining, the protection of natural sediment sources, and research into solutions to replenish alluvium for the Delta. The Government has directed local authorities to develop mineral extraction plans integrated with the protection of riverbanks and coastlines.

2. Mekong Delta Regional Plan for 2021–2030, with a Vision to 2050 (Decision No. 287/QD-TTg)

The regional plan identifies the management of sediment resources as a core task. Specifically, the plan outlines the following solutions:

Minimizing river sand mining.
Zoning and protecting areas at high risk of erosion.
Developing alternative materials to river sand (such as sea sand and crushed stone) for construction and land leveling.
Establishing a monitoring and surveillance system for sediment fluctuations across the entire region.

3. Tightening Management of River Sand Mining

Between 2022 and 2024, the Prime Minister issued several directives and official dispatches requiring Mekong Delta provinces to strengthen inspections and strictly penalize illegal sand mining. Many provinces, including An Giang, Dong Thap, and Vinh Long, have suspended or revoked sand mining licenses in erosion-prone areas. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment has also issued new regulations on Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) for sand mining projects, requiring specific evaluations of the impact on the sediment balance and riverbed stability.

4. Piloting the Use of Sea Sand as a Substitute for River Sand

One of the most breakthrough policies is the Government's approval of a pilot project (2023–2024) to use sea sand as leveling material for transport infrastructure projects in the Mekong Delta. The Ministry of Transport implemented this pilot in the North-South Expressway project section passing through the Delta; initial results show that treated sea sand meets technical standards. This policy aims to reduce the pressure on river sand mining, thereby preserving natural sediment sources.

5. International Cooperation on Transboundary Sediment Management

Vietnam actively participates in the International Mekong River Commission (MRC) to promote dialogue with upstream countries (China, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand) regarding the maintenance of sediment flows. Transboundary sediment monitoring programs and studies on the cumulative impacts of hydropower dams are being implemented to provide a scientific basis for negotiations and to protect the interests of the downstream region.

Evaluation and Recommendations

Overall, the policy framework for sediment management in the Mekong Delta has been established quite comprehensively, ranging from strategic levels (Resolution 120) to regional planning and specific measures. However, local implementation still faces several shortcomings: illegal sand mining remains a complex issue, sediment monitoring systems lack synchronization, and financial resources for anti-erosion projects are limited.

Therefore, it is essential to continue refining the legal framework, promote the application of remote sensing and artificial intelligence (AI) in monitoring sediment fluctuations, and strengthen international cooperation to ensure sediment flow from upstream. These efforts are crucial for the sustainable development of the Mekong Delta.