Mangrove forests are a unique and rare ecosystem that form in coastal areas and river estuaries that are influenced by tidal effects. Occupying just over 1% of Vietnam’s total forest area (14.4 million ha), yet they play a pivotal role in mitigating the impact of climate change.

Local authorities, domestic and international organizations, and people of the South Central region are making efforts to restore the mangrove forest belt in the region. Initial results have been recorded, contributing to restoring coastal ecosystems, while creating sustainable livelihoods and foundation for ecotourism.

The Party Committee of Ho Chi Minh City has issued a resolution on development orientations for Can Gio by 2030 that aims to turn this coastal district into a high-quality resort and ecotourism city comparable with regional rivals.

Mangrove forests are must-visit places for anyone journeying to the southernmost province of Ca Mau. From a bird’s eye view, they take on the look of an immense and floating green carpet spreading beyond the horizon.

About 50km from the heart of Ho Chi Minh City, Can Gio has been recognised by UNESCO as a World Biosphere Reserve with primeval forests and abundant floral coverage.

The Mekong Delta province of Tien Giang will plant 250ha of new protection forests in coastal areas from 2021 to 2025, twice the amount of the 2015-20 period, according to the province’s Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.

Ru Cha primary mangrove forest is located in Huong Phong commune, Huong Tra town, Thua Thien-Hue province. Its main functions include preventing salinity and protecting aquatic resources.

Authorities in the southernmost province of Ca Mau are working hard to protect aquatic species in an effort to regenerate them following a long bout of overfishing, and fishermen are strictly following restrictions imposed on them for this.

The Mekong Delta province of Soc Trang aims to preserve 350 long-tailed macaques monkeys living in a mangrove forest and develop eco-tourism as part of its tourism development plan by 2020.

Domestic and foreign tourists to Ho Chi Minh City will have exciting experience discovering the beauty of local scenery as tour operator Saigontourist launched seven new waterway tours on September 28.

The daily lives of some 500 households have been disrupted and 600ha of protective forest lost due to landslides on the nearly 70km seashore of the Mekong Delta’s Kien Giang Province in recent years.

Red Cross volunteers of the Japanese prefecture of Kyushu and their counterparts from the northern province of Quang Ninh began planting mangrove forest in Song Khoai commune, Quang Yen township.

The central province of Quang Nam’s Culture, Sports and Tourism department has introduced eight new tourist sites this year.

Community-based management and development of mangrove forests is an effective way to strengthen coastal resilience against climate change.

More than 3,000 mangrove saplings were planted in the environs of Lap An Lagoon in the central province of Thua Thien-Hue on July 16-17 in response to climate change.

The southernmost province of Ca Mau is taking active efforts to plant mangrove forests on targeted land to adapt to climate change.

A mangrove afforestation campaign opened in the Mekong Delta province of Soc Trang on June 7.

Crops and farms will be protected by a mass of mangrove forests in the Mekong Delta provinces, thanks to a restoration project.

The safeguard of coastal eco-system and mangrove forest in the Mekong Delta region will be given a push as phase two of the Integrated Coastal Management Programme (ICMP) kicked off on August 28.